Strep B?

[splishandsplash]

Can anyone help?
Just been told I have Group B Strep,
Can anyone help me understand?
Does this mean I'm likely to go into labour early?
I can't find much information :/
I don't know if I've posted this in the right place sorry if not!

It means you will need Antibiotics in labour and won't be allowed a home birth.

Hello! I’m nearly 41 weeks with my first baby and I was told I had strep b from a routine swab at 20 weeks. I’m not allowed to birth at home like previous poster said and also it has to be at a main hospital rather than a birthing centre because they need to give you 2 lots of antibiotics during labour as soon as your waters break. If for example you had a quick labour and they only managed to give you one dose I think the baby is given some too after birth. There’s been lots of previous threads on here about it, all from women that have had it and had the treatment needed and all has been fine. I also know people that still went full term and had the medication fine as well. It’s very good to find out you have it now so you can get the antibiotics in Labour, 20% of women have it as it’s a natural bacteria that’s only harmful to baby's during a vaginal birth yet so many don’t get tested for it. Good luck to you Xx

Tommy’s have a really detailed webpage - tells you all the factual info

www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-complications/group-b-strep-and-pregnancy

Essentially, you’ll need antibiotics in labour and won’t be able to have a birth at a birth centre, it’ll have to be the main hospital. Baby may need antibiotics once born. I have it & my baba didn’t need anything but they’ll keep a close eye for 12 hours.

You won’t have your baby early because of strep B. It doesn’t affect pregnancy, it’s just something that needs to be managed during labour/after birth.

Our birth centre allows you to give birth there if you have strep B. You have to have a proper birth plan though which is agreed with the medical team and signed off and the centre is within the hospital for any changes to the plan.
You also have to stay in for at least 24hrs afterwards for monitoring.
It's better that you know, as most people don't know they have it as it isn't a routine test therefore they don't get the antibiotics in advance of labour.

I was told I had strep b, I'm 31 weeks now and I'll be tested again at 36 weeks as it can come and go. I had lots of lovely people on here assure me that everything would be fine. If you have it when you deliver you'll be given anti biopics during labour and they'll monitor baby after birth. The scary complications online seem to be much more common when mum didn't know she had it.

StrepB last pregnancy (also first but didn't know) and again this pregnancy.

You'll get antibiotics during labour and my hospital keep you in for 24 hrs to monitor baby. If you don't get the full 4 hrs of antibiotics before baby was born for any reason sometimes baby has them too from birth just to be safe.

I was induced last pregnancy so had them straight away and waiting to find out if I'll be induced this time however if not I've just been told to go to the hospital as soon as waters break or contractions start to make sure
I get the antibiotics for the amount of time required.

It will be fine

I’ve also been told I tested positive for Strep B, I’m currently 38 weeks and just been told I will have to go into hospital as soon as contractions start or waters break to make sure I get the antibiotics in time. I was terrified when I first found out I had it but I think it’s much better that we do know so we can be given the treatment because so many people don’t realise they have it because it’s not routinely tested for x

What the first poster said. You will need IV antibiotics as soon as you go into labour (at the hospital). You will not be able to have a home birth as it will be putting the baby at risk of getting it. I was StrepB+ but I had to have a c-section anyway so didn't need the antibiotics.

Well done you for finding out and doing something about it. Make sure it's written in your notes & your birthing partner is aware so they can check with hospital staff that you & baby get the appropriate care when you need it (don't rely on staff to remember, we all make mistakes/ forget things especially after/ during birth)

Oh and I think the other poster was right; it can come and go but again make sure your birth partner is switched on and reminds staff

Have you had your urine checked too? I had a negative swqb last pregnancy, a positive swab c 23 weeks this one (but none in wee) then a positive result in wee at 37 weeks, had a course of antibiotics orally and will need the drip too.

The group strep B support page on FB is pretty good and informative, it's helped me feel v relaxed about it now.

Thank you for everyone's response, I'm only 25 weeks, i was tested due to an abnormal anount of discharge.

Theyve test my urine also so I guess I'll wait till later on to find out if they will retest before labour or if I'll just be treated for it x