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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Strep B - did you get tested?

20 replies

Emma5557 · 30/11/2020 20:08

Hello, I am in the third trimester and I am wondering whether to get tested for Strep B. There is no reason in particular, but I just want to avoid any risk. In most countries pregnant women get tested for free, but unfortunately the UK is not one of them. I am interested to hear your experience/thoughs! Thanks

OP posts:

sleepyhead1980 · 30/11/2020 20:14

I never with my first but did with my second and I was positive. My first baby has an unknown infection when he was born and wasn't very well (he was totally fine though). I often wonder if it was anything to do with strep B.

Xiaohei · 30/11/2020 20:19

I did with my third as my second was born with a variety of problems- this being one of them. You have to time it right, as much as I remember, because it’s only valid for a certain amount of time. I tested negative with my third which was great as I got to labour at home without being automatically hooked up to a drip from the start. If I remember it cost about £35 ish which I was happy to pay to get a bit of clarity given DS 2’s birth ( FYI he’s completely fine now

bumblenbean · 30/11/2020 20:20

Similar to PP, I didn’t with my first but did with my second and was positive. They set me up on precautionary antibiotics in labour - DD was born with low body temp and was a bit out of sorts which they think was due to the strep, so she was in baby care unit for a few days - but was ultimately fine.

I don’t think there’s any harm doing it- if you are positive it’s worth letting them know so they can take precautions - when My waters broke they said come straight in (even though normally they would’ve waited for established contractions) as they could see in my notes I was strep positive.

Puddlelane123 · 30/11/2020 20:23

I did, and tested positive. I had previously nursed children who had contracted group B strep meningitis as babies, and for some the resulting disabilities were profound. I am strongly of the belief that all expectant mothers should be tested.

sniffsniff · 30/11/2020 20:24

I did. No reason to think I'd be particularly at risk but I paid about £30 for a postal test from Weldricks pharmacy. It was negative but I was glad I'd tested.

Original poster

Emma5557 · 30/11/2020 20:26

Thanks! To be honest I am surprised the NHS doesn't offer this test considering how common it is! I read it needs to be done between 35-37 weeks.. I think i will do it! Are the home kits realible? I am scared I won't be able to collect the sample correctly!

OP posts:

betard · 30/11/2020 20:27

I did get tested with my first, as a friend had warned me about it. I was negative but then there were issues at the birth - had an emergency c-section and it turned out I was group b strep positive. It's transient and I'd obviously contracted after being tested. For my following two births I had precautionary antibiotics during labour.

Brunt0n · 30/11/2020 20:29

Not by the NHS but I paid for it privately after seeing stories about it in the press raising awareness. I think it was about £35 and I had the results text to me and a follow up letter.

Foreverbaffled · 30/11/2020 20:31

I did with both my pregnancies - was negative first time but positive the second. I’m really glad I did as having the antibiotics meant I could have some peace of mind especially as my baby was induced early so a little bit more vulnerable to any ill effects of GBS. It’s routinely screened for elsewhere in Europe and the US and for £35 there isn’t anything to lose. Likely you’ll be negative and then won’t need to worry about it again

Luckyelephant1 · 30/11/2020 20:44

I had no idea it wasn't on the NHS! I'm 8+2 first pregnancy so not had any screening for anything yet, but I already know I have/had GBS as it was picked up on one of many, many urine samples I've had to give due to recurrent UTIs, way before I got pregnant. Told my midwife at my booking appointment and she says they will probably put me on IV antibiotics as a precaution then even though its a transient thing. I'm so shocked it's not routinely tested got on the NHS given how common it is and how poorly it can make a baby 😐

MaryShelley1818 · 30/11/2020 21:44

Mine was picked up as positive during my first pregnancy by a vaginal swab when I went in for bleeding.
Not sure what happens this time but will check with MW tomorrow.

sniffsniff · 30/11/2020 22:14

@Emma5557

I can't speak for how reliable they are but it was straightforward to collect the sample and the instructions were thorough in the kit that I had.

catsarebetterthandogs9 · 30/11/2020 22:22

GBS testing isn't routinely offered in the UK because results aren't reliable. You may test positive at 36 weeks but be negative the following week, or vice versa.

Not saying I agree with it, just that's the main reason the NHS are giving until further research is carried out.

NemosPoorlyFinn · 30/11/2020 22:23

My midwife never even mentioned strep b to me
It was only because I heard about it on a this morning segment that I knew it existed
When I asked my midwife about it she seem very dismissive said they didn't offer a nhs test in my area and I'd have to pay for a private one
So I did and it was negative

awishes · 30/11/2020 22:37

Didnt test until waters broke and my lovely girl was very poorly but treated with strong IV antibiotics in nicu. Dreadful situation in the maternity hospital where I woke up to a Dr stood by my bed who did nothing but leave me a leaflet detailing the dangers and death rate, iirc of around 70%.
Stopped me having a subsequent pregnancy (pre Google era!).
I'm surprised NHS don't routinely test.

Babyjune21 · 30/11/2020 22:39

They were testing me for something else a found I had strep B it wasn’t as bad because I was having a planned c section so wasn’t much of a risk !, I am 12weeks pregnant with my 2nd and was told at my booking appointment that they will just treat me as if I have strep B again even if I don’t I’m not sure if it’s because your more Likely to have it if you’ve had it before but would ask to be tested if you are really worried about it x

Bluejayway91 · 30/11/2020 23:10

How odd, I found out I was positive via a urine sample. Do you have to pay for it if you're specifically testing for it?

momofasweetboy2018 · 30/11/2020 23:21

No, I did not tested for it, and as a result developed fever and sepsis during labour. My baby was born via c section with body temperature of 38 (thankfully he did not get infection, temperature was from my fever). So, yes, I would advice to get a test, even if its just for precaution!

chinateapot · 30/11/2020 23:27

There’s no good evidence that testing reduces maternal or neonatal illness - hence the NHS doesn’t routinely do it.

But I did because I’d seen babies v sick from group b strep sepsis and didn’t want to feel I could have done something to prevent that.

Glad I did. I had a positive swab and had IV antibiotics as soon as in labour. 3 hours later my waters broke and I spiked a fever. I was very septic and needed ITU - also had a massive bleed of 7 litres. Baby came out febrile and needed SCBU but her cultures were negative. Mine were positive for group b Strep which was sensitive to the penicillin I’d had so I’m certain our outcomes would have been worse without the swab and antibiotics.

Now that’s anecdote rather than evidence but I’m bloody glad I did it!

Clevs · 30/11/2020 23:29

I had it and it was picked up on a routine urine sample at my booking appointment.

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