Group B Strep test - should I do it?

[desperateforcoffee]

Should I pay for the Group B Strep test? I know it’s not available on the NHS but didn’t know whether it’s necessary?

I’m a FTM and don't really want to be paying out on something that isn’t necessary.

Thank you x

Well if it was positive, what would you choose to do? Basically you can either have the antibiotics in labour, or you can choose 12 hours of additional monitoring after birth. Or neither, I suppose! If you think you would prefer to rule out this risk, which is very small if your baby is born at term, then absolutely get the test. Knowledge is power

I only found out I had strep b as I had a swab to investigate why I had a couple of bleeds in early pregnancy (unrelated). So from my perspective, I'm glad I got the test, so I'd say it's worth it. It is extremely common (I think 1 in 4 of us have it) and is a risk to the baby.

@Pigletting I think it depends on your hospital, my consultant said I would have to be induced if my waters broke as the first sign due to Strep B, I then pushed and said about antibiotics and she then said I could have them for 24hrs and see, this was my first pregnancy and so many wouldn't question it. My waters did break as the first sign of labour but I only managed one dose of antibiotics due to having such a fast labour, we were then kept for 24hrs of monitoring. I only found out about carrying strep b as years ago I had bleeding between periods (while on the pill) and had a swab so I was tested at 36wks.

I paid for the test at about 37 weeks I think, it was about £30. Luckily it came back negative but it definitely put my mind at ease a bit, I'd do it again if I have another baby

My cousin was still born due to Strep B so I got tested during my pregnancies, it’s such a small cost it was definitely worth it for me to put my mind at rest. Lots of countries test routinely.

I gave birth in a country that did routine tests and got a massive antibiotic injection as my labour started. I think it’s worth doing.

Absolutely do it. I did it in first pregnancy and was positive and I received antibiotics in labour and got extra monitoring because I had a temperature in labour.

I only knew I had strep b when my daughter was rushed back into hospital a few days after arriving home.
She’s 14 now but it was touch and go at the time. I’d spend the £30 to have it done again.

My DD was born at 37+5w in June. Because she was early, i hadn't sorted out my Group B Strep test and so I didn't know i had GBS. My waters broke before contractions started and so she was at greater risk of infection, but of course we didn't know this because i didn't know about the GBS. About 23hrs after birth she developed sepsis and nearly died. She spent two weeks in NICU / SCBU and it was the scariest time of my life. Please please spend the £35 and get the test.

Thank you all for your advice, I definitely want to do this after hearing your stories - especially when the test is relatively cheap to do!

Does anyone have a link for where to buy a testing kit? I’ve found this one through the NHS site so inclined to use this company: www.tdlpathology.com/specialties/medical-microbiology/group-b-streptococcus-gbs/group-b-streptococcus-patient-information/

That link - TDL - is an excellent lab. They’re used by pretty much every doctor on Harley St.

They did all my IVF bloods and more recently confirmed my pregnancy so when I’m ready to do the Strep B test I will go with them.

[quote desperateforcoffee]Thank you all for your advice, I definitely want to do this after hearing your stories - especially when the test is relatively cheap to do!

Does anyone have a link for where to buy a testing kit? I’ve found this one through the NHS site so inclined to use this company: www.tdlpathology.com/specialties/medical-microbiology/group-b-streptococcus-gbs/group-b-streptococcus-patient-information/[/quote]
Ah I'm glad you have decided to do it. I found out I'm a carrier after a routine urine test. It just meant I had to have IV antibiotics 4 hours before giving birth.

But reading some of the stories on GBS Support website make me so glad it was found.

I think the Gov is trying to get more evidence on this to push for more nhs trusts to test etc. Not sure where it is now as there has been a change of minister since this article was written in April.

graziadaily.co.uk/amp/life/parenting/group-b-strep-test-pregnancy-nadine-dorries/

I did on both pregnancies used tdl.

Definitely do it, I was negative in my first pregnancy but positive in my second. In my case it showed up in a urine test earlier and then was also positive on a swab some months later. There is a charity called Group B Strep Support which is fantastic and if you are positive their website is a trove of information about your options. It is usually fine but when it's not it can be dangerous so it's worth having all of the information to protect your baby. You can order the test from The Doctors Laboratory: gbss.org.uk/info-support/group-b-strep-testing/ecm-test-where-how/

@Porridgeislife

That link - TDL - is an excellent lab. They’re used by pretty much every doctor on Harley St.

They did all my IVF bloods and more recently confirmed my pregnancy so when I’m ready to do the Strep B test I will go with them.

Ahh that’s so good to know! Thank you!

I’ve just ordered my kit, thank you everyone for your advice

Yea that link is the lab I used for mine