Group B Strep

[FirstTimeMumma2021]

I've found out I have Group B Strep and have been told I'll need to have antibiotics through an IV throughout my labour.

I'm worried as I react badly to Penicillin (last time I had it an ambulance was called). I've had a lot of the alternatives which also cause me to vomit quite badly.

My pregnancy is high risk already. I'm currently on two other medications which I feel awful enough about and also at risk of a DVT which they are monitoring as well.

I'm considering speaking to my doctor and asking about a c-section to reduce the risk of transmission and chance of baby needing antibiotics. I hadn't wanted a c-section at all but feel if it'll reduce the risk of this along with the others, it may be best?

Just wondering if anyone else has any experience of something similar?

You will also need to have antibiotics during the c section to reduce the risk of infection.

@momofasweetboy2018 yeah, i know that. I've been told if I show signs of infection including vomiting during labour, its likely baby will get IV antibiotics and if I can do anything to prevent or minimise that risk further, I'd much prefer too

I think they'll give the baby antibiotics whatever as the risk is too great otherwise. I had GBS last pregnancy and both baby and I had antibiotics. A friend of mine very sadly didn't know she was GBS positive and her baby contracted meningitis and is now severely disabled so it is always worth taking any medication necessary.

@kensue19 thankyou and hope you and babies are okay :)

Yes, I'm not going to deny anything baby needs to ensure he is as healthy and well as can be. I'm going to speak to my dr as there is so much conflicting advice. I've red that if its a planned section then baby wont need the antibiotics so want to get it all clarified.

Its the anxiety that's getting to me as I'm already on 2 medications that I cant stop taking and there was talk of aspirin to prevent a DVT along with anti-sickness tablets as still being sick in 3rd trimester!

Could you have an anti sickness drug as well? My mum used to get very sick on iv antibiotics and they did this for her. Don’t know how that would work in labour, or if it’s allowed.
I’ve had strep B and both CSs and vaginal births. Is it possible for you to be tested before labour to see if it is active, or is my memory of this wrong? I’m sure I know someone who went this route so they could have a home birth. Maybe I’m wrong though? I think you can also request intramuscular antibiotics rather than IV, but it depends how the MV feel about that.
Try not to have a CS unless you need to in my opinion...both are fine, but I and many others have been left with adhesions after CS, and it’s best avoided if possible.

Could you have an anti sickness drug as well? My mum used to get very sick on iv antibiotics and they did this for her. Don’t know how that would work in labour, or if it’s allowed.

You can definitely have anti sickness drugs in labour. I was taking cyclizine throughout pregnancy and was given stemetil as well during labour.

Thankyou, I'll definitely speak to my doctor. I was on cyclizine for bad morning sickness' but there that up, I've been on 3 or 4 as still being sick in 3rd trimester and just gave up but would like to explore all options x

How far along are you? GBS can clear/ be cleared.. this blog claims to offers ways to clear it.. if you have time for a retest.
wellnessmama.com/8680/avoid-gbs/

Also, worth looking at statistics .. a midwife quoted that between 1 and 3 in 1,000 babies born to strep b positive mothers go on to develop an infection and that with close monitoring in the first 48 hours of heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature, timely delivery of antibiotics can begin if an infection were to develop. (This was the advice at a birth house in Switzerland so you should check the statistics in the uk).

That should be taken into account given your risk of reaction to antibiotics and your other conditions.

Where I live they don’t test for group B Strep because they say if they test and treat it, it can return worse and not go away. Was going to try natural approach to not get it in the first place as I won’t know if I’ve got it or not.

@xxxIntergalacticxxx yeah it's not routinely tested for where I am but I was taken in for reduced movements and had braxton Hicks so they done a swab and it can back x