GBS

[Millypad]

I’ve just come home to a letter telling me I’ve tested positive for Group B Strep, following a swab in hospital after bleeding a couple of weeks ago. I’m a bit worried and scared now and wondered if anyone had any personal experience of it?

I suppose my worries are...

What are the chances of it passing to the baby in the system and causing stillbirth which I’ve read can happen?

Can I be induced early to prevent labour starting before the antibiotics are first administered?

Does this mean my plans for a water birth are out/will it most likely be labour ward for me?

Should I be worried?

Bumpity bump- anyone at all?

My experience was that you just have to have antibiotics during labour. I don't know what that means in terms of a water birth.

It is great that you've been tested and they know - the dangerous issue is having it and not knowing.

FWIW - twin pregnancy first, had IV antibiotics, all fine.

2nd labour was too quick for antibiotics to be administered. It just meant that baby was really closely monitored once she was born and we had to stay in for 24 hours so when could be monitored (rather than go home the same day). All good again.

My baby is 5 weeks old and I had a positive swab for GBS at 30ish weeks (swabs before we’re negathve)

In my experience they won’t suggest induction early to make sure you get antibiotics before labour starts. They give them to you once it starts. Depending on if it’s your first baby or not very unlikely you’d have baby before the allotted time for the antibiotics to be effective is missed (they say as long as you get them at least 4 hours before baby arrives it’s usually fine)

I think it may count you out of a water birth as GBS meant I was moved under a consultant lead unit instead of Midwife lead and as you need a canular in for the antibiotics it’s prob not possible to go in the water.

From what I was told and read if you are aware you are GBS and your hospital are there is very little Chance of it being passed on or causing still birth. They stuck a big sticker on my notes and everyone has really useful conversations with me about what it would mean for me etc. All the midwives and my consultant were really sure I’d get my antibiotics in time (and this was a 2nd baby for me) and also assured me if I didn’t it didn’t mean anything bad would happen just that baby would be observed for a longer period and possibly given antibiotics as a precaution.

I wouldn’t say you have to be worried, I know it is a worrying thing to have because there are cases of bad outcomes from it when you google and it all sounds very scary (I was terrified when I found out) but because you and the midwives etc know it means they are best places to take care of you and your baby to make sure nothing bad happens.

Good luck! Xx

You can have a water birth and also have antibiotics for GBS in many birth centres and MLUs. They just cover up the cannula (usually tape a glove over it) between doses. Best to check with your local unit.

The best thing is they found it so atleast now there aware the biggest danger is having no idea 💕 x

Amazing all, thank you so much. You’ve really put my mind at rest. Overall I think I’m really lucky to have discovered it now - the bleeding was scary but I wouldn’t have discovered this if not for it. Thanks all 😍 xx