GBS So worried :'(

[sunshine82]

I am 26 weeks after a long ttc journey, well I had a high swab for spotting at the day assessment unit at hospital on Monday- on Weds I discovered I have GBS, I have been feeling so scared:'( for my little boy. Have had lots of complications and just feel worried ill be stressing for next 11-14 weeks. I'm so relieved it was picked up if I hadn't of had spotting if have never known and it seems that's where there are issues.

Do any of you ladies have any experience of this- would a csection be safer for my little boy? I am just so confused and scared.

Thanks so much xx

 

[angelandbump]

I personally have no experience with GBS but a section is very major surgery so I don't think the hospital would consider that for GBS. It's very common and it requires antibiotics when in labour but with your past history, it's worth discussing your concerns with your midwife xx

 

[CatherineK]

If you Are still positive before birth, a dose of antibiotics take away any risk. Absolutely no reason for a section, Hun.

 

[xforuiholdonx]

Im gbs+ as well. Ill need antibiotics during labor, but a section is absolutely not needed.

 

[Julesillini8]

Wow, try not to worry so much. A lot of women come up positive and things are just fine.like others have said, it's simply a need for antibiotics, not a c section. Try to stay calm for your little guy.

 

[elociN]

I am not sure what you mean by GBS but if I am guessing correctly and its Gorup B strep - it is very common. It also comes and goes sometimes. I tested positive when pregnant with my second son and he had IV antibiotics straight after birth for a few hours. With my daughters I tested positive then negative so they didn't have antibiotics. I haven;t been tested in this pregnancy yet.
Try not to worry, they know you have it now so they will make sure the baby is treated after birth if it is needed.

 

[sunshine82]

Thank you so much ladies for your reply! Makes me feel much more reassured!
Just been really worried as was told over the phone and then googled it and really scared myself.

I am going to look at it positively as the NHS don't routinely test for it so its a blessing that I had a swab for spotting and its shown up!

Thanks again hope you and your bumps are doing well xxx

 

[ckylesworld]

I had it with my first son and he is now 13. I told my dr with this current pregnancy and she just said we will treat you like you have it, which means antibiotic drip. They gave me the antibiotic drip before and all was perfect. Try not to worry. It wold more of a worry if they DIDN'T know.

 

[babybear81]

GBS was picked up when I was 19 weeks pregnant with my DD. I wasn't tested again in that pregnancy. Like you I was scared stiff after this diagnosis, especially as my little boy was still born only 6 months prior to finding out I had GBS(which was not related to GBS at all) but i was also contemplating a C Section. My consultant put my mind at ease. I was induced so as soon as my waters were broken they hooked me up to antibiotics intravenously. I only managed to get one lot before my daughter was born. We had to stay in for 24 hours which I knew before she was born as they monitored her temperature etc every few hours to make sure it was always within the normal range which it was. She is a very happy, healthy 9 month old. Although it is scary to have GBS due to the horror stories, you know about it now and will be treated in labour. I think it is far more dangerous to not know you have it. Xxx

 

[fairsinger]

I have had it in my pregnancies and delivered vaginally every time with no worries. It is routinely tested for in the US and extremely common, and as long as you get the antibiotics, the baby should be fine. In addition to the antibiotics, my hospital requires a 48-hour stay for mother and baby after delivery, but that's pretty much all that's different. Try not to worry!

 

[sunshine82]

Thank you Babybear and Fairsinger

I feel so much better now, it's definately good I know it just came as such a shock as really wasn't expecting it and I'm not googling anymore!

I'd always dreamt of a natural birth so I'm pleased to know too that is okay too.

Xxx

 

[SisterRose]

I tested positive for GBS when I had a swab done at 14 weeks, I havent had a straight answer from anybody yet about what they will do about this. I questioned my midwife who just tried to give me antibiotics now and said it'd go away with them and everything would be normal (wtf) so i argued it out, saw another doctor and never took any antibiotics at the moment as I learnt its pointless during the pregnancy it's only important in labour. So far nobody has told me I'll have the antibiotics in labour and keep saying "oh you wont need that it'll be fine" and tey wont even let me have another swab done I decided Im going to wait until my 28 week consultant appointment and have it out with them there, I'm going to DEMAND the antibiotics. Like you, I'm scared of birth now and just terrified they won't give me antibiotics. As long as I get the antibiotics I'll feel reassured and okay.

 

[sunshine82]

Hi sisterrose

Thanks for your reply.

I'm sorry that you are going through uncertainty with gbs. Well I hope they give you answers soon, it's not fair if they aren't.

I'm expecting the antibiotics in labour now, I thought that was the normal procedure?
I'm not very clued up on all this as never really heard of it before all this- I'd definately try and find out what they need to do/and clarify the antibiotics situation.

I found gbss.org.uk helpful in giving me the info about it! I think that's right website. There's FAQ section there.

I've calmed down now but was such a shock especially when I would have never known I had it unless I went in to matenity assessment for something unrelated!

I feel lucky in a way that I know and my baby will be looked after and monitored. Like mw said nothing I can do about it but it did really upset me and I don't want to be worried for last 12 weeks or so so I am trying to move on and deal with it when the time comes and trust everything will be okay.

I hope you manage to get answers Hun.
Keep in touch and let me know how it goes- sending hugs xx

 

[mizzyb]

I had it in previous pregnancy so was on drip in labour. I will be tested in this pregnancy at 37 weeks and If positive I will be on drip again. Its a good thing to know its so common and some dont know and give birth not having anti biotics. Its really nothing to worry about at all xx

 

[Amygdala]

Just wanted to add that 1 in 4 women carry Group B Strep, it's just that most of us in the uk don't get tested so don't know. There's private testing available though. Costs £35 and should be done around 35 weeks I believe. There's more info on https://www.gbss.org.uk/

 

[SisterRose]

thanks sunshine. im just going to wait now until labour is drawing closer and then argue my case for the antibiotics! xx

 

[d_b]

I tested GBS+ with DS but didn't get to the hospital in time to get antibiotics. They take a few hours to work. DS was monitored for the first 24 hours and he was totally fine. But in rare cases it can cause some serious issues for the baby.

I won't be tested until about 36 weeks for this pregnancy but I am doubtful I'll get to the hospital in time to get the treatment with baby #2 if the labour is similar. I read about something called Hibiclens that can get rid of GBS so I'm going to look into that this time around.