Positive for Group B Strep

[Foreverbaffled]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone else had recently tested positive for Group B strep? I’m feeling very anxious about the fact I’ve tested positive (via a private test) and how this will impact on my labour along with Covid restrictions.

I will definitely have to have IV antibiotics in labour but because I’m allergic to penicillin I have to have an alternative antibiotic which needs to be given 8-12 hours before delivery. I’m at risk of a rapid delivery due to a connective tissue disorder which makes this feel impossible. Some guidance says that I should come into delivery suite as soon as I go into labour and others when I’m only in active labour. Because of Covid my DH won’t be allowed in until I’m in active labour which means that if the former applies then I’ll have to do all the early labour on my own on the ward which is really distressing to consider.

Urgh. I’m due to see my consultant tomorrow so will ask for clarification then but just wondered if anyone had any experiences? What happens if they don’t get the antibiotics in me quick enough?

Thanks :)

I have group strep B and from what I understand if they don’t get enough anti biotics in me before baby is born they give them to baby after birth too just to make sure.
I know having strep B Means you have to stay in for monitoring for at least 24 hours after birth so they will keep an eye on you both and adjust anti biotics accordingly.
My midwife told me they like to do 2-3 lots of antibiotic drips that are 4 hours each before birth but of course everyone is different and could labour faster or slower than this.
I know you have other things to consider for your own circumstance but I am trying to think about just going with the flow and that I can’t control the timings of things.
I hope you get some more answers from your consultant.

I don't have direct experience of this, but am planning to get tested myself as my sister had this with all 3 of her births. I think with one birth they didn't get the antibiotics in time - it just meant that the baby had them after birth and they had to stay in hospital for a day or so. It didn't have a big impact on her or the babies but is definitely good to know about it.

I had this. Baby and me in hospital for about three days post birth because they had to give IV antibiotics at 12-hour intervals and there was never anybody around to dispense, so it really dragged out unnecessarily. Getting an IV catheter into a small, wriggly baby was also quite a hard process! So just be prepared for this to drag your hospital stay out a day or two, go psychologically and logistically prepared for that and you'll be fine. It's good to know you've got it and you're 100% doing the right thing for you and baby. Best of luck!

I have tested positive aswell and felt really upset when I got the diagnosis. I’m seeing my midwife on Wednesday so hopefully she can reassure me what the process is. It’s just a bit gutting that I can’t labour at home as much as possible because I will need to go in for antibiotics straight away and probably on my own!

Thank you all so much for the reassurance. I’m glad that I know I have it and I think I need to stop trying to plan and control it all (terrible habit 🙂) and just go with the flow. I found some guidance online for my NHS Trust and it says that if I don’t get the drip in time then the baby will be monitored for 12 hours. They won’t give the baby antibiotics unless showing signs of infection. This seems like a reasonable compromise.

Will be good to hear what the consultant says tomorrow! Just feels like another complicating factor. I’m consultant led as had a bad tear when giving birth to my son and they are offering an elective c-section. I’m determined to try another vaginal birth but this feels like potentially another reason not to. I will make a decision when I have all the info though.