Strep B test?

[EmsyW]

Hi ladies

I am currently 38 weeks pregnant and wondering if I should get tested for strep B. Apparently it’s not routine on the NHS because the number of cases is so rare but I am feeling a little paranoid about it.
Has anyone had a private or home test done? Thanks in advance for your advice xx

I was told that I had it after my booking in appointment - I’m assuming it was detected in a urine sample. I’m having a ELCS, so would be having IV antibiotics anyway. Perhaps it varies depending on which health board you’re with if they check or not.

I've not had it done yet,/but I intend to from 35 weeks. Better safe in my opinion.

I did one privately for peace of mind. It was super simple and not too expensive.

My midwife told me it can change by day but I read that whatever the test shows it’s unlikley to change within 5 weeks. I’m confused now whether to test or not. I’m also worried I’ve left t too late now

I paid and had it done privately two weeks before my induction date and was very satisfied when both swabs came back negative. Guess what... My baby still got gbs! They aren't lying when they say it can change by due date. If you want to do as much as you can and it will make you feel better, go ahead but as I learned it definitely isn't a guarantee. Btw, baby doing fine now after a few days in nicu.

@celeryeater oh wow, that’s crazy. Do you mind me asking, how did they pick it up in the baby? Ie what were the symptoms.
Those who have had a private test, did you got to a private hospital or orders a test on line ie strepelle?

I ended up getting tested for it by accident. I was sure I had thrush and mentioned it at midwife appointment and she gave me a swab to do and got it sent away. It was either that night or the next day a dr phoned to say yes you do have thrush and to pick up prescription, but you also have Group B Strep, explained all about it etc.
So yeah long story short - say you think you have thrush or something and get swabbed that way.

@TimesNewRoman, that is good to know, I may try that! I have a midwife appointment Tuesday. I was tested at 33 weeks for a UTI but they mentioned nothing about testing for strep B so I assumed they didn’t

I think it was something like low ph and high lactase in the blood? I had gestational-diabetes so they done the heel prick test a lot sooner than they would have done for a low risk pregnancy. He also had some fluid on the lungs and needed help breathing but I don't know if that's related or not. To be honest, it's all been a bit of a blur. Once he got down to nicu they started him on antibiotics straight away as a precaution and later infection with gbs was confirmed with a skin swab.

I had a skin infection as I randomly get them due to a screwed immune system, and ended up being swabbed that way at 34 weeks.

@EmysW they do frequently test pregnant women with UTIs for group b strep. Unfortunately some HCPs neglect to tell you exactly what they are testing for as they think you don't understand.

OP private test providers listed here - gbss.org.uk/info-support/pregnancy-and-birth/information-on-testing-for-group-b-strep/ecm-test-where-how/

The reason it isn't routinely tested is because GBS can literally change day by day. So the test might not detect it today, but would tomorrow. If it was detected you would be given antibiotic cover during birth; every 4 hours while in active labour, or throughout a c-section delivery (which is the norm anyway for all c-sections).

I got my dad (medical researcher) to read up on the research that informed the NHS decision and I came to the conclusion not to have the test privately, mainly because a negative test at that time does not guarantee that the baby won’t get GSB anyway

*gbs

I'm in Australia and its pretty standard here. Everyone gets offered it. Here its basically 2 swabs to see if you're carrying it. If so, during labour you are given a fairly large dose of anti-biotics. I have also been advised to take pro-biotics in the lead up to it, just on the off chance it can help. There was a segment on 'This Morning' about this recently of a couple who want it to be standard practice in the UK too.

it's required in Canada all women are tested and it's relatively common...certainly not rare. the potential consequences to the baby is worth the testing.

I was swabbed on arrival at hospital with dd1, and was told 2 weeks later (by the midwife at home) I'd tested positive for gbs.
So with my second I was tested, positive again, but ended up having an unplanned home birth - so no antibiotics.
Didn't bother being tested for the next 2, but kept a careful eye out for gbs symptoms in my babies.

I got it done privately via post but this was 8 years ago. It came back negative but I had no idea it could change day to day!

I gave birth a couple of days ago and was part of a scientific study to help with creating a gbs vaccine that women could have during pregnancy.

I didn’t realise it could change day by day - on the strepelle website (home test kit) it says it’s unlikely to change within the next 5 weeks. I found a local clinic who tests for £80. It feels like s dilemma - obviously the cost is irrelevant for the health of my baby but I’m worried if it’s positive and they pump me full of antibiotics when it may not be necessary when I go into labour.