Another Group B Strep thread...

[Haylstones]

Thanks to everyone who replied to my previous thread about this a few weeks ago. I have now seen a different MW who told me that our local hospital has changed its procedure and antobiotics are now only given if 2 risk factors are in place ( i only have 1, found to be + after dd's birth 4 years ago). They have done a urine test, which came back negative but as I understand it a.this test is unreliable and b. I could be positive again next week!
This new info could mean me being 'allowed' to use the birth unit, which I am desperate to do but not at the expense of my or baby's health. They also recommend monitoring for at least 24 hours after birth, which I'm happy to do (may try to pay for a private room though!)
If I did the private test and it came back positive, would I still be allowed to proceed as normal as there would be only 1 risk factor?
I'm feeling slightly confused atm but basically I'm thinking that I'm low risk and can proceed as I wish but accept I may need extra monitoring and if any further risk factors develop then my plans may have to change... does this sound right/ safe/ not mad??!!
Any advice would be much appreciated. I'm almost 33 weeks and time is passing very quickly!

Also, mw offered to make an appointment with a consultant to discuss as she picked up on my concerns but I turned it down- should I reconsider? (Very close relative had baby who was extremely poorly at birth due to strep b, which is why I'm being cautious)

BUMP> Anyone in the know around pretty please?

BUMP> Anyone in the know around pretty please?

I'm no expert by any means but what you say about giving birth in the birth unit and not having the anti-biotics sounds sensible. I too was tested positive for Group B Strep after my second baby was stillborn (he was ill for another reason, no connection to Group B Strep). Even so I was never offered a re-test and was given the choice of having anti-biotics or not when I gave birth to DS3 in July this year. There was no advise to say that I should have them at all. I chose to have the anti-biotics purely because I was going to give birth in the hospital anyway and I may as well take one potential anxiety out of the birth of DS3. It sounds to me like you are making a sensible decision as it seems you will be happier and more relaxed in the birth unit which has got to be better for you and your baby. At least you will be monitored for 24hours which is a good thing. Good Luck!!!!

Thanks for the advice and I'm so sorry to hear of your experience. The last mw told me I would have to have antibiotics so I should be happy but I just wanted some others to agree with me! Birth unit is int he sam eblock as the delivery suite so I know I can be moved very quickly if need be.
Baby is currently breech so the decision could well be taken out of my hands anyway!

Just told I am positive for strep B and worried that it means I can't have water birth.

Haylstones, is that your understanding from your hospital? I would take the consultant appt if offered - more info!

I cant really understand it when women are told that they cant have birth centre or waterbirths if they have GBS. WHY NOT?

I work in a labour ward but we have a birthing pool and the last 2 waterbirths I have done have had cannulas in for various reasons and needed syntocinon after delivery, and we even had a synto induction waterbirth last year (with waterproof wireless CTG!) - not one of mine unfortunately. BUT it shows that anything is possible. GBS + or -ve makes no difference as far as our birth centre or waterbirth is concerned.

IVABs should really not be a big deal when it comes to a waterbirth or birth centre birth !

Haylstones said:
If I did the private test and it came back positive, would I still be allowed to proceed as normal as there would be only 1 risk factor?
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I think you need to ask your hospital this, but it sounds like only one risk factor to me. It sounds like your hospital's strategy is spot on (it's how I intended to proceed if I came up GBS+, and why I only got tested privately, but luckily I was - at 36 weeks). The test only costs £31.50 (Mulhaven), you can take the swabs at home yourself (follow instructions closely, but they aren't that tricky), or get partner to help if your bump is huge, and then have the results sent privately back to you. It's worth it for peace of mind.

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I... accept I may need extra monitoring and if any further risk factors develop then my plans may have to change... does this sound right/ safe/ not mad??!!
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It sounds exactly the right way to go, imho. Where childbirth is concerned, you often just have to respond to things as they develop. Just educate yourself about the options, so you can make decisions you're happy about afterwards.

If I were you, given your history, I would want to treat myself as GBS+ if I went into labour before 37 weeks (premature=another risk factor). What else are they treating as additional risk factors?

Haylstones, like you I had only one risk factor when I tested positive for GBS. However when I went into labor my waters broke early morning sunday and I did not have my son until the next day. Since my membranes ruptured and over 18 hours had passed I had to be given antibiotics. When my son was born though his apgar score was a nine at birth then a ten five minutes later they decided to put him on antibiotics and monitoring for 72 hours. It was a terrible feeling that I did not expect because I only had one risk factor throughout my entire pregnancy and I was told through my pregnancy not to worry too much about it. Thankfully my son tested negative for GBS. My advice is to expect the unexpected. Don't be angry about not having a water birth. It really comes down to the health of the baby at the end of the day. I had planned a mobile birth with holistic healing in mind. Instead I had to be induced put on a drip. I could not move from the bed which resulted in me having an epidural and a forceps delivery. I wish I had really been more open minded about what really can happen in labour. I didn't have the mind set for it but I had to go with the flow. Just prepare yourself for anything regardless of GBS risk factors!

Haylstones - you might like to contact the charity Group B Strep Support www.gbss.org.uk : they don't give advice (only information) but they'd probably be able to give you some idea about this.

I know Group B Strep Support want information about strep B to be given routinely to women antenatally, and for a reliable test to be offered to all pregnant women late in pregnancy, as the result of the reliable test would be a good indicator of whether they'll be carrying strep B at delivery or not.

If you haven't already (and you agree with this!) please sign the petition at petitions.pm.gov.uk/groupbstrep/ - it closes for new signatures on Saturday, 19th January 2008 so there's not much time left!

I've signed, please will you?

Oops - I didn't post the petition link in properly (I'm not very good at this!).

It should be petitions.pm.gov.uk/groupbstrep/.

Sorry .

Thanks for all the replies- sorry I missed them! I have already signed the petition candyland.
I've now decided to pay to have the test done privately and am awaiting delivery of the pack.
Re the waterbirth, I haven't explored this option as I tried it with dd and didn't enjoy it at all. Dd became distressed immediately after I got in the pool and then was fine againa s soon as I got out so it has put me off slightly.
To top it all off, the new mw that I had started seeing (who gave me lots of useful info and was very supportive) is leaving next week so I will have to go back to my old one or see a new one
Just over 5 weeks to go so I am going to explore my options thorough;y!