GBS positive - concerns

[girlanonymous]

I already knew I had group b strep from my last pregnancy, even though we found out after baby was born which was a very traumatic event for us, but thank God he got better and is very well now.

At the booking appointment today the midwife mentioned that my recent urine test showed the gbs - may have also been found due to a UTI which has now been treated. She told me that at the onset of labour when waters break I'll be offered intravenous antibiotics every 4 hours. Then baby is monitored for 12-24 hours.

My main concern is what if I'm not in labour for that long? What if I don't get enough antibiotics? What if baby is fine during the first day, and develops symptoms later.
My son didn't become ill until 3 days later when we came home.
He was born 5 hours after I went into labour. The thought of going through what I had to previously is terrifying me.

Has anyone been through this?

Hi OP sorry for what you went through last time. I had tested positive for GBS during my last pregnancy and was given IV antibiotics during labour. I had a quick labour (6 hours) and my DD was monitored in hospital before we left for any signs - luckily there weren't any.

I know it's easy to say but in your position I wouldn't worry- you know about the GBS and it's in your notes to get IV antibiotics during labour. Your baby will be monitored post birth and can be given additional ABs if needed if you have a very quick labour. The main thing is don't stay at home labouring after your waters have broken, you need to be admitted immediately and hooked up to the antibiotic drip.

I had a cannula in my hand throughout labour and didn't notice it really. Good luck.

NC to answer this as I don’t usually respond to medical things with my normal username.
I’m a paediatrician: it is a while since I’ve worked on delivery/ postnatal ward, and every hospital will have a slightly different protocol, BUT with a combination of 1. last baby became unwell (assuming this was definitely due to GBS) 2. known GBS in urine during this pregnancy and 3. not enough time to get IV antibiotics during this labour (if this is what happens) to me, that would be an automatic trigger for this baby to have IV antibiotics, even if they seem to be well. At the very least I would expect a period of close observation and possibly blood tests. Baby should get a period of observation even if you do get the antibiotics in in good time during labour.

HTH and good luck