Group B Strep in pregnancy

[Ellycook]

Hi ladies, I have been advised I am a carrier of GBS and will need antibiotics in labour, the midwives didn’t make a big deal of this just stuck a sticker on my notes and said to ask for antibiotics in labour... I’d never really heard of this so went on Google ( yep I know stupid idea) and absolutely terrified myself, now I’m worried about everything - will I get to the hospital in time for antibiotics etc, should I request an Elcs as I’ve had a very anxious pregnancy etc, just wondering if anyone else has experienced this in a previous pregnancy - last time I wasn’t swabbed and unsure if I had it as my last pregnancy was a long time ago, but with tht labour they told me to stay at home until contractions where closer together etc... do they allow you to go straight in with gbs so you get the antibiotics ? Any info anyone could share is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance x

Please don't worry. Strep B is extremely common, the fact they picked it up and you will have antibiotics will reduce any risk. Also just because you tested positive now doesn't mean you will have it at time of birth necessarily.

I had it with my first and due to be tested for it again in a couple weeks with my second due to having tested positive before.

And yes you should be able to go in as soon as you go into labour just tell them on the phone you need antibiotics and would feel more comfortable coming in early. You'll likely have to wait in the maternity ward and have it there unless you have a fast labour but don't see that being an issue.

Somewhere between 20% and 40% of women have it, so you are not in some tiny minority here :) It's so common as to be almost boring - I mean that in a nice way to hopefully help alleviate your worries. That's why your midwife didn't explain in any great depth I expect; because to her it's really not an issue! But I'm sure she will give you more info if you ask her.

For some women it comes and goes, so you might not have it by the time you give birth. If you do, the ABs will sort things out, and yes, you should be able to go in earlier than most women so that you get on the drip in time.

If in some extremely unlikely scenario you get stuck in a broken lift or something, and end up giving birth in said broken lift without ABs, they can still treat the GBS in your newborn IF it gets passed along.

So try not to worry, if you can.

Thanks ladies I really appreciate the replies x

I had group b strep in my pregnancy, honestly it’s nothing to worry about. If they can’t get antibiotics into you before your water’s break then they’ll keep baby in for 48hrs to give them antibiotics as a precaution. X

Hiya
I had this with my first over 12 years ago now when they testes all pregnant women. I should have had the antibiotics during labour but unfortunately they were rubbish and I didn't. The end result was we needed to stay for 48 hours and my DD was monitored closely. In hindsight it was wonderful as she was my first and I think I would have been petrified if I had been sent home straight after. Currently 11 weeks and been informed they don't routinely test for it anymore due to such low risk - I have asked to be tested and hope they give me the antibiotics this time :)
good luck but nothing to worry about x

Tested*

@happygolucky20 I was told you have antibiotics in subsequent pregnancies regardless of whether it’s picked up or not because you’re a carrier. I shall be having them this time with baby #2 x

Yes with my second I had GBS. As others have said they will hook you up with a IV antibiotic as soon as you’re admitted, I didn’t have to wait anywhere as I was in active labour when I turned up at the hospital. Depending on where you plan to give birth it might impact on your plans eg couldn’t be a unit which was only midwife led as needed a dr incase of reaction to the drip and was advised against home birth because of a lack of baby observations after but you are able to stay mobile and don’t need to be stuck on a bed or anything. We were only in 24hrs for the observations, taking temp and heart rate etc every few hours (both me and baby).

Hi there!

I had GBS with DD and gave birth 4 weeks ago!
I told them I thought my waters were broken, but with a speculum check up, they couldn’t really tell if my waters had broken (I was due to be induced that day anyway, but ended up with an EMCS 4 days later!).
I had the antibiotics straight away, and so did DD as they couldn’t rule out the fact that my waters had broken. Thankfully her tests came back all negative and she’s doing well!
All the best x