Long-term effects of IV antibiotics in labour for Group B Strep infection - Could you share your experiences please?

[Dreamcatcher007]

Hello,
I’m 37 weeks pregnant and have just tested positive for Group B Strep infection (I had no symptoms, just decided to be on the safe side and did a private test). I know that I’ll probably be offered IV antibiotics throughout labour to prevent the baby catching the infection, and I can’t really decline them as that’s what’s realistically safest for the baby. However, I’m concerned that the antibiotics will obviously pass the placenta and will affect the gut health/microbiome of the baby for as long as the first year of their life (definitely for the first 3 months). Some research indicates that this makes these babies much more prone to everything from food allergies to eczema to behavioural problems and depression later in life...

I know it’s really hard to attribute anything like that just to several doses of antibiotics, but studies on that are so limited, so I thought I’d do my own quick poll!

I know it’s really hard to attribute anything like that just to several doses of antibiotics, but studies on that are really limited, so I thought I’d do my own quick poll to see if the likelihood is more likely!

For those who were given IV antibiotics in labour or just before c-section, did your baby go on to develop any allergies, asthma, ADHD later on, etc, or did it all go swimmingly?

I had it with my first baby and he was also given his own antibiotics when born.

In my opinion, it is not worth the risks as baby can be so so Ill.

My son has never had any issues with any of those things though. He's now 7.

I had strep B with my first baby. Waters broke spontaneously at 36 weeks and I was given antibiotics during a long labour due to him being back to back.

I didn’t know there was a link to the antibiotics and potential allergies. ds has minor allergies, for example as a newborn he came out in hives around roses but he grew out of this. He’s had hives with other things but never any major reactions thank god. I mentioned it to our doctor who wasn’t worried at all. He has not developed ADHD or anything like that. I haven’t noticed any difference in health between him and DS2 who didn’t have antibiotics.

I hope all goes well with your labour!

That’s great to know, thank you ladies!

Dc1 had 3 days worth of antibiotics in Nicu following a long labour with broken waters and an emcs. He turns 6 tomorrow and has been obnoxiously healthy. No allergies, no illness, no excemza and he's super skinny despite eating a lot.

A friend of mine had strep b that wasn't picked up on until around 7 hours after birth. Her daughter spent 3 very scary weeks in Nicu and a lot of antibiotics. She doesn't have any issues either.

Hope everything goes well for you!

I would take antibiotics as a lady I know lost her baby at 41 weeks as they didn’t test for it and baby died in labour because of infection.

@Dinosauratemydaffodils Thanks very much, that’s great! And Happy Birthday to your DC tomorrow!
How scary for your friend though. That’s the problem with Group B Strep - the chances of baby catching it are very small but if they do, that can be scary. That’s why I don’t understand why they don’t test for it routinely here. Is it so rare for it to be passed on that they think it’s not worth it...

@welshmercury Gosh, scary! I seem to be seeing a lot of sad stories like that, although I thought the chances of baby catching it are like 1 in 400. Still feels too high though!

[quote Dreamcatcher007]@Dinosauratemydaffodils Thanks very much, that’s great! And Happy Birthday to your DC tomorrow!
How scary for your friend though. That’s the problem with Group B Strep - the chances of baby catching it are very small but if they do, that can be scary. That’s why I don’t understand why they don’t test for it routinely here. Is it so rare for it to be passed on that they think it’s not worth it...[/quote]
It isn't really rare.
It's 2 in 100 births roughly.
Not worth the risk at all in my opinion.
I know so many people who have passed it on to their babies so tbh I thought it was even higher than that.

I do agree that they should test for it routinely. They do in the US and most other countries.

The risk of your baby dying or being seriously brain injured as a result of Strep B is far higher than the risk of antibiotics passing through the placenta to the baby. Sadly, it’s not as rare as you think. Many babies are severely injured due to catching strep b every year. Can you discuss with your midwife?

Had group B and G with all 3 pregnancies (had actual vaginal infection each time)
I only got to the hospital in time to have IV antibiotics with #1. With the other 2 I was just admitted for monitoring after the births (one en route, the other at home) to check the babies were ok.
#1 child had mild eczema and mild asthma.
#2 (no ABs) had mild eczema and cows milk allergy.
#3 (no ABs) has slightly worse eczema and cows milk allergy....

Super helpful - thank you ladies! So there doesn’t seem to be any strong correlation between AB in early life and health conditions later in life - that’s great to know!

I had iv antibiotics with ds due to gbs.. He was born very "flat" and ended up in nicu on antibiotics for 5 days but he's now a very healthy almost 3 year old.. I'll be on antibiotics in labour again this time round too as consultant has advised that's the safest option having tested positive in last pregnancy

Iv antibiotics in labour here too. My dd will be 9 on Monday and (touch wood) is super healthy. Came out screaming and still the loud one in this house. No allergies, asthma, nothing. Good luck op, I know how stressful it is to discover late in the day, I was 2 days before and it scared the life out of me

IV antibiotics during labour for sepsis here (and DD for 36 hours after as well), no problems that we are aware of.

This is very reassuring - thank you ladies!