Group B Strep

[AvoidingRealHumans]

I've had some itching/soreness down below on and off for a while and recently went to a sexual health clinic to get seen.

I had every swab imaginable done, even swabs they don't usually do just to try and rule everything out. She said it doesn't seem as though I have anything sexual and she thinks its vaginal eczema.

All my swabs came back clear apart from one which said I have group b strep in my vagina, I received the result by text message and it said that it was quite normal and nothing to worry about unless I become pregnant.
Had a google and am now upset by it all, I don't quite understand what it is. It says about going into hospital for antibiotics as soon as labour starts and it can be very dangerous for a newborn.
Is this routinely tested for In pregnancy? I have 2 children but can't remember, well if I did it wasn't flagged up and they were fine.
I don't think I do want anymore children but am panicking now in case I do one day and it seems quite complicated and risky. My last birth was amazing in a Birth centre and it seems this won't be an option now due to the group b strep.

Has anyone else got this?

Hi

I was positive for group b strep when I gave birth. It is not routinely tested for by the nhs, I paid To have the test done. Don’t stress out about it, it’s estimated that up to 40% of the population carry it. I went into hospital as soon as labour started and when I was at 4cms I was given IV antibiotics every 4 hours, when the baby was born they were put on observation for 12 hours where a MW came and checked temperature, heart beat etc to check for signs of infection. I imagine the only issue it could cause would be that you maybe couldn’t have a home birth, my understanding is that the antibiotic IV is very effective. Xx

Same here. Was tested for strep b with my second baby only. Was positive. I was very worried because I lived two hrs from hospital. I received antibiotics as soon as i got there. Only had just under an hour of the drip. We stayed for four days after baby was born to make sure he was fine. All was well so don't get too stressed. Antibiotics will do the trick and it'll be in maternity notes if you were to get pregnant.