Strep B

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I’m 36 weeks. During my last pregnancy (ended in mc) I tested positive for strep b. I’ve been advised I’ll be tested again during this pregnancy at 37 weeks and if I test positive again I will require antibiotics via IV during labour. But if I test negative I won’t need them, I’m confused as to why if I’m
Negative at 37 weeks i would still be negative at 40/42 weeks??

Anyone any experience with strep b? would be great to hear experiences of either testing positive then negative and also of requiring the IV- were you kept in longer after birth?

Hi, I had it with my first, but not with my second. I wasn’t kept in hospital any longer with my first - he was born at 1am and we stayed that night. We were sent home the next afternoon. I don’t know what the thinking is at 37+ weeks - but I think the key thing is to be informed. Your midwife will be able to give you the facts. Good luck.

It can change though, so I thought they tended to give the antibiotics as precaution in subsequent pregnancies anyway? For me, I paid for a private test, and found it was positive. I got the IV antibiotics and baby was born 9pm and got to go him about 6pm the next day. Would have been sooner if a doctor had been free to Discharge us!

Baby was monitored more closely than my previous births, bit as I got the full
Antibiotics, I don’t think it made much difference to my stay in hospital.

Strep b can come and go so u could have it the week before labour but not at time of labour and vice versa... if i were u id hav the anti bs anyway... my son was born with strep b and pneumonia and he was incredibly lucky to be ok with a 7 day stay in hosp and a lumbar puncture 😥 and st the moment no signs of developmental needs etc hes 2.5 now, i had to have rhe anti bs in labour with my fourth butmy labours r so fast there wasnt enough time..., so she had to stay and hav anti ba too xx

Have a read of this or call this charity which gives info and guidance on Strep B

gbss.org.uk/product/free-leaflet-group-b-strep-and-pregnancy/

I have had it during a miscarriage and then tested positive at my 2nd pregnancy. I went to a standard midwife appointment during 2nd pregnancy with thrush and the swap came back with Strep B again. This was during the booking appointment. From then the midwife rang with the results and went through the antibiotics option and I was told that there would be a Strep B sticker on my notes. If I had to call the Day or Maternity Unit I would need to tell them I had Strep B as they use this in their decision making.

I didnt get tested late on as my family has a history premature babies so I didn't see the point.

One friend did the test at 37 weeks and gave birth before the results came. She wasnt offered antibiotics but no one knew if she had it or not.

I took the offer of antibiotics as it isn't worth the risk. Just make sure you know all the options in terms of your birth plan.

I had it in my first, and was told I'll have antibiotics in my second regardless of second results. (which are also positive)
Didn't have antibiotics in time for my first, maybe like an hours worth, baby kept in to check blood sugar levels and temp for three feeds and home the same day. (3am birth)