What is GBS??

Eleanor ace · Feb 2nd, 2013, 05:14 AM

I've had a letter this morning saying I have GBS (Group B Strep) with an information leaflet but I don't understand what it is! I know that it's an infection in the vagina and that it can rarely pass to LO in childbirth so I have to have IV antibiotics in labour. But what is it? Is it something you catch or just develop? And can it just go away?
It might sound silly but I'm really bummed about it, really really bummed. I am awful with IV's and I've been so looking forward to labour, now I'm just dreading it

Annamumof2 · Feb 2nd, 2013, 05:22 AM

I have it and its nothing to worry about, it's a bacteria which shows up sometime in pregnancy I didn't have it with my three but have it this time round and because I'm a fast labour I've got to have antibiotics and so does baby

CooCooCaChoo · Feb 2nd, 2013, 05:25 AM

Hi. It's a common bacteria found in one out of every three women. It's not harmful to you or your other half, but can be very serious for a baby who is born by passing through the vaginal birth canal. It is NOT anything sexually transmitted. It can be active or dormant but once its discovered you will always be considered positive for it.
With my first two I tested negative, but with this one it came back positive so I of course did some research! No biggie as long as you take the antibiotics during delivery. Make sure if you go into pre-term labor or your water breaks early you remind them you tested positive for this. The hospital and babies doctor will (in USA) monitor the baby a little closer after delivery to check for signs of any illnesses this bacteria can cause.
This will be my third c section, and because my baby will not be born vaginally she isn't at risk (though in the USA they give you antibiotics with a c section anyway, at least in Chicago). Good luck. Hope this helps

Eleanor ace · Feb 2nd, 2013, 06:02 AM

Thanks ladies

. Do you know whether it means no water birth?

jensha · Feb 2nd, 2013, 14:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eleanor ace

Thanks ladies

. Do you know whether it means no water birth?

You can definitely still have a water birth! I'm planning one too in a birth center. I haven't been tested for GBS yet but asked my midwife what would happen if I'm positive. She said, they put an IV with antibio for something like 15 minutes at the time and repeat a few times during labour. They take it off, so you can walk freely and be in the pool. In the hospital, they will let the IV plugged in all the time just because it's easier for them.

jensha · Feb 2nd, 2013, 14:38 PM

There is also a thread in the Home and Natural birthing section with a lot of info: Group B Strep Support Thread

Feb 2nd, 2013, 05:14 AM	#1
Eleanor ace Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: UK Posts: 5,406	What is GBS?? I've had a letter this morning saying I have GBS (Group B Strep) with an information leaflet but I don't understand what it is! I know that it's an infection in the vagina and that it can rarely pass to LO in childbirth so I have to have IV antibiotics in labour. But what is it? Is it something you catch or just develop? And can it just go away? It might sound silly but I'm really bummed about it, really really bummed. I am awful with IV's and I've been so looking forward to labour, now I'm just dreading it

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Feb 2nd, 2013, 05:22 AM	#2
Annamumof2 Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Banbury, Oxfordshire Posts: 4,247	I have it and its nothing to worry about, it's a bacteria which shows up sometime in pregnancy I didn't have it with my three but have it this time round and because I'm a fast labour I've got to have antibiotics and so does baby

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Feb 2nd, 2013, 05:25 AM	#3
CooCooCaChoo Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,018	Hi. It's a common bacteria found in one out of every three women. It's not harmful to you or your other half, but can be very serious for a baby who is born by passing through the vaginal birth canal. It is NOT anything sexually transmitted. It can be active or dormant but once its discovered you will always be considered positive for it. With my first two I tested negative, but with this one it came back positive so I of course did some research! No biggie as long as you take the antibiotics during delivery. Make sure if you go into pre-term labor or your water breaks early you remind them you tested positive for this. The hospital and babies doctor will (in USA) monitor the baby a little closer after delivery to check for signs of any illnesses this bacteria can cause. This will be my third c section, and because my baby will not be born vaginally she isn't at risk (though in the USA they give you antibiotics with a c section anyway, at least in Chicago). Good luck. Hope this helps

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Feb 2nd, 2013, 06:02 AM	#4
Eleanor ace Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: UK Posts: 5,406	Thanks ladies . Do you know whether it means no water birth?

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Feb 2nd, 2013, 14:38 PM	#6
jensha Pregnant (Expecting) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: USA Posts: 1,111	There is also a thread in the Home and Natural birthing section with a lot of info: Group B Strep Support Thread

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