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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Strep B confirmed in pregnancy and scared

65 replies

Lolly127 · 12/12/2022 18:18

Hi all ,
ive had what I’ve through was thrush for basically years. Symptoms burning , lots of discharge which can crust . Green discharge , general thrush symptoms . I am livid that it’s never been investigated further and only treated with thrush and I’ve been left to suffer . However now I’m pregnant I’m more livid and petrified about us both . I asked for a swab due to thrush treatments now working and guess what it’s negative ! But I’ve got STREP B ! Now I’m horrified and worried ahout maternal sepis and can’t stop crying . Midwives are very blaise and just said it’s good that we are aware fot labour. But what about my symptoms that indicate something . Feel like I’ve been left

OP posts:
cookiemonst · 13/12/2022 14:06

Strep B doesn't have symptoms. I've had it in both pregnancies and also when I was not pregnant.

It's just something that's in my body. There is nothing wrong with it. It can hurt the baby, but that's why they give you antibiotics. Strep B is not the reason you have the symptoms you describe.

Pelo22 · 13/12/2022 14:09

cookiemonst · 13/12/2022 14:06

Strep B doesn't have symptoms. I've had it in both pregnancies and also when I was not pregnant.

It's just something that's in my body. There is nothing wrong with it. It can hurt the baby, but that's why they give you antibiotics. Strep B is not the reason you have the symptoms you describe.

That ^^

I'm not pregnant but just had swabs and have strep B, I also had it in 2013 and 2017
It's not a disease and it's a normal thing to have. I'm not having treatment for it because it doesn't need to be treated

Lj8893 · 13/12/2022 14:17

Strep b in urine can cause uti symptoms.

Lj8893 · 13/12/2022 14:17

And does need to be treated.
strep b found on a swab only needs no treatment.

Ohwhathaveidonenow · 13/12/2022 14:23

Testing positive for Strep B comes and goes. Just because you're positive now doesn't mean you will be at the time of labour, although they'll unlikely retest you and will just administer antibiotics during labour regardless. You should read what Dr Sara Wickham has written on the subject (blog and her book) and decide whether or not to accept their offer of antibiotics for yourself.

ParentsTrapped · 13/12/2022 14:54

OP I’d reiterate the other comments - your symptoms sound like they are caused by something else and you should push to find out what that is.

I had strep b show up in my urine at around 20 weeks pregnant, was treated with antibiotics (because it was a uti, though asymptomatic). I repeated the test privately at 36 weeks and it came back negative. The result is 96% predictive of GBS status in labour so as a result I felt confident to decline the antibiotics in labour. They observed me and my baby for 24 hours afterwards and we were both fine. It’s very common.

ParentsTrapped · 13/12/2022 14:55

When I say repeated the test at 36 weeks, to clarify, that was a GBS swab, not a urine check. You can order them privately online.

Original poster
Lolly127 · 13/12/2022 15:44

Hi my worry is it getting into the blood stream with me having infection symptoms down below . All the symptoms of thrush but thrush negative and GP said today the swab would have detected BV also when I queried that. I think I’m worried that I’m. Carrying symptoms of something and no one cares or wishes to investigate it . The worry of strep b has been from info I read on it getting into the blood stream ane causing sepsis

OP posts:
username8888 · 13/12/2022 15:48

You're getting upset for nothing. Many women carry strep B and it's harmless except in pregnant women, but only because they can pass it onto the baby and it occasionally causes sepsis. They know so you will have treatment. The other symptoms have nothing to do with strep b.

Original poster
Lolly127 · 13/12/2022 15:51

How did your thrush symptoms resolve then

OP posts:
Pelo22 · 13/12/2022 15:52

Lolly127 · 13/12/2022 15:44

Hi my worry is it getting into the blood stream with me having infection symptoms down below . All the symptoms of thrush but thrush negative and GP said today the swab would have detected BV also when I queried that. I think I’m worried that I’m. Carrying symptoms of something and no one cares or wishes to investigate it . The worry of strep b has been from info I read on it getting into the blood stream ane causing sepsis

It's not a disease though
About 20-40% of women have it at some point, it's a perfectly normal thing to have
I'm severely immunocompromised and nobody is at all worried that I have strep B and neither am I

Namechanger355 · 13/12/2022 15:55

Strep b is carried by many pregnant women and doesn’t generally cause sepsis. They will just give you antibiotics to prevent it passing to your baby upon a vaginal birth and causing an infection to your baby - these antibiotics do not have to be penicillin if you are allergic (as am I). So it’s simple enough to deal with

if you have an infection down there that could be something else so check that

but I feel like you are overreacting to the strep B situation given it will now be controlled in your labour

Original poster
Lolly127 · 13/12/2022 16:06

Grateful for all your reassuring and sensible answers , sadly I struggle to rationalise things and midwives , triage and GP are not interested in my vaginal symptoms either . Triage went as far to say I bet it’s thrush , when I’ve had two negative swabs and am not responding to treatment . I mean STI is highly unlikely as I’ve been with partner 14 years

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Original poster
Lolly127 · 13/12/2022 16:09

Could it be an allergy to something ? Like causing irritation as nothing comes up and my skin has become sensitive in other areas

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JugglingJanuary · 13/12/2022 16:11

@Lolly127 (((Hug)))

Take a few deep breaths. I totally understand your anger, confusion & worry. Totally. I have my own issues & problems getting help for them. But let's see if we can sort your worry out ! X

it appears that the StrepB shouldn't be causing your symptoms, It also appears not to be an issue having it in your body, other than needing antibiotics when you deliver your baby (congratulations on your pregnancy!!).

you've ruled out thrush & BV, I know you said it won't be STI, but if I were you, I'd get a full check, I'd just book privately & get it done.

Have you been checked for diabetes??

your description is exactly what I get when my blood sugars are too high. (I'm diet controlled but occasionally behave like a twat and eat like a normal person, or worse!! 🙄).

TMI maybe, but I relieve the symptoms, by using the wipes called 'water wipes' none of the others. Wipe everywhere and then lay one length wise between your labia & leave it there. It works wonders.

best of luck getting or sorted!!

Original poster
Lolly127 · 13/12/2022 16:18

I’ve had diabetes tests in the past when I was again at my wits end with thrush . So I’m at a brick wall here now

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Pelo22 · 13/12/2022 16:18

Might be worth (check re pregnancy) but trying some women specific probiotics? Sometimes that can settle stuff down

Gem123J · 13/12/2022 16:22

Strep b could never have been prevented if it was tested for sooner. It’s a good job they’ve tested before your due date. I had the same, I only found out after they tested me at 39 weeks because I went in for reduced movement. As soon as my waters broke I had to go into the labour ward for antibiotics. I had big plans for a water birth etc. But that all went out the window.

You will also have to stay in hospital for 48 hours I think just so they can keep an eye out on baby. It’s all precautionary.

Kindofcrunchy · 13/12/2022 16:23

OP you need to read Group B Strep Explained by Dr Sara Wickman. Also you may not even have the bacteria when you give birth so there's really no need to worry about it.

Original poster
Lolly127 · 13/12/2022 16:25

Yea so it’s irritated and inflamed more on the outside if you get me . I’m aware of the burning feeling and the discharge is normal consistentcy on a wipe but leaves crusts in my knickers . I have suffered with this side of things as in discharge since puberty . But not green . It’s like I got thrush one time years ago and then it’s been ongoing on and off . However this past year it’s coming back clear and not responding . Also I’m feeling dryer that usual for the past year . More on the outside I’m dry as a bloody bone which can Increase irritation

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Allthemojitos · 13/12/2022 16:26

GPs are rubbish with vaginal infections. I have had burning and discharge and only realised I had aerobic vaginitis after a private swab as nhs don't test for it. If it is not thrush, bv or an sti they don't know how to treat it!

CristinaNov182 · 13/12/2022 16:31

I had thrush many times and never had a green discharge, had the usual symptoms: burning, itching, inflammation inside, white thick discharge..

got it twice this 2nd pregnancy and it went away with a 5 days pessary course, when I had just 2, it came back.

think bacterial vaginitis gives green discharge but not sure

I had strep b following a lletz procedure, got antibiotics for it, it went away, and got pregnant t the following month. I don’t remember bei tested again during the pregnancy but they gave me antibiotics while I was in labour, to prevent the baby being harmed.

i’d ask them to repeat the tests or tell you what is causing your symptoms. If they can’t tell you, obviously they need to repeat them or give you more tests!. You can also buy thrush pessaries and BV treatment yourself and use at home.

ElizabethBennetismybestfriend · 13/12/2022 16:32

I had a strep b infection which was ignored by my gp. I ended up in hospital with sepsis and nearly died. If I had gone to hospital 2 hours later I wouldn’t be here now. Please don’t say strep b is not serious, if you are unlucky it can be serious.

CristinaNov182 · 13/12/2022 16:34

@ElizabethBennetismybestfriend yes, I had a fever and cramps with strep b. They gave me some antibiotics while they were waiting for the results of the swab, these didn’t work and when the swab came back with strep b got another course of antibiotics that finally made me feel better.

Original poster
Lolly127 · 13/12/2022 16:41

And this is my worry . I’ve got the strep and signs of Infection so feel this is only going one way…danger

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