Group B strep.... And terrified :(

[ticking.clock]

I found out today that I tested positive for group b strep, and I'm terrified,

I've gone through so much, lost a baby in feb, then fell pregnant right away with twins but one stopped growing early on (vanishing twin) and now I have group b strep

I rang my mw but she didn't ring me back so I'm now googling it (worst thing to do I know) and I'm reading all these things that can go wrong

Help

 

[1948LC]

Try not too worry - I know easier said than done. I had it with my second daughter and I remember I was exactly like you, terrified. You will be fine just make sure you get antibiotics whilst in labour. I think I got two lots in and my daughter was fine! xx

 

[ticking.clock]

Thanks xxx

 

[Nikki_d72]

It's so very common and won't cause any problems unless it's in your urine or gets into your uterus, which it shouldn't unless you have any cervical problems. It is only a danger to your baby if your water breaks or during birth and that's why hospitals routinely give IV antibiotics during birth but even without them it's a pretty low risk. It is transient and may come and go, you may not even have it come time to give birth but you will be treated as if you are still a carrier. Probiotics can be good for stopping it getting out of hand - ones that contain lactobacillus are good. If you haven't had a urine culture to check there then it may be worth getting that done as if it's present there you will need antibiotics to get rid of it now, if it's just in the vagina then try not to stress. HTH

 

[drsquid]

also, if you miss getting the antibiotics they can just give them to the baby. the only danger is if you and the baby dont take antibiotics and just wait, then the baby can get very sick

 

[ticking.clock]

It's so very common and won't cause any problems unless it's in your urine or gets into your uterus, which it shouldn't unless you have any cervical problems. It is only a danger to your baby if your water breaks or during birth and that's why hospitals routinely give IV antibiotics during birth but even without them it's a pretty low risk. It is transient and may come and go, you may not even have it come time to give birth but you will be treated as if you are still a carrier. Probiotics can be good for stopping it getting out of hand - ones that contain lactobacillus are good. If you haven't had a urine culture to check there then it may be worth getting that done as if it's present there you will need antibiotics to get rid of it now, if it's just in the vagina then try not to stress. HTH

Many many thanks for this post, probiotics as in the drinks!???
I will demand a urine test for it and if positive I will demand antibiotics now,
I can't believe my midwife never even bothered to ring me back yesterday!!!

 

[Dee_H]

i was positive with DD as well. I was given an IV with antibiotics while in labour. No issues with myself or baby!

 

[sethsmummy]

Try not to stress about it too much hun. I did the same as soon as i found out i was on google! I was 39 weeks pregnant with my first and all set for a home birth when i noticed a yellow sticker on hospital notes. the midwife didn't even explain what it was.... so i googled it. Safe to say i was gutted about not getting my home birth!

I don't know whether your doc would give you anti-biotics now as i was told they don't as it can come and go throughout pregnancy, so even if they treated you for it now it could come back again. You will get antibiotics given to you as soon as you go into labour, and every 4 hours throughout your labour. If necessary then baby will be given anti-biotics too. Depending on your hospital's rules, baby may be taken to SCBU (NICU) for observation for 2 hours like my little one was, or they may just keep a close eye on them being left with you.

So the biggest thing you need to remember is try to get to hospital as soon as possible when you go into labour so you get enough anti-biotics. There is no reason for you not to go about your normal daily routine. If you get worried then pester your midwife or doctor. xxx

 

[ticking.clock]

Thanks everyone, but I'm so so scared

 

[sethsmummy]

Don't worry hun. It seems a lot scarier than it actually is. You and baby will be fine since they have picked it up xXx

 

[Hard_working]

Thanks everyone, but I'm so so scared

I can understand your being scared but truly it's as these mums have said - it's really when you don't know about it, that it's really scarey! When you do know (as you do), you can make sure you get the antibiotics as soon as possible once your labour has started and so the risk of your baby getting a group B strep infection will be made so tiny. Plus, after s/he's born, you and your health team can keep an extra special watch for any signs & symptoms in your baby so that, in the highly unlikely event that any infection does happen, it can be addressed really fast. It's when you don't know about it, you can't do these things and then it's more likely to cause nasty infections.

 

[Jem88]

I'm the same, i actually had no idea about it until my 28 week appointment a few days ago. My midwife sent off my urine sample at my 24 week appointment, i got a letter 2 weeks later from my GP saying i had a possible water infection and was on antibiotics for a week. I went to my 28 week appointment and the midwife tells me that i had step b in that urine sample and asked if I'd been on antibiotics.. But it wasn't until i got home that i noticed she'd wrote *Group strep B* at the top of my notes - she didn't mention anything about antibiotics in labour or anything. x

 

[ticking.clock]

I'm going to ask them to check my urine x

 

[sevilla24]

i was positive with DD as well. I was given an IV with antibiotics while in labour. No issues with myself or baby!

Same with me. It was no big deal at all!!!

 

[ticking.clock]

I guess it's like anything, you only notice the horror stories
Rang and spoke to midwife who has said to take a water sample down so they can test it to put my mind at ease.

 

[FeLynn]

I had it with my 3rd son and I was like you plus I felt disgusting. I had no clue how I got it and thought it was like an std & started telling my dr Im a clean dr that only has one partner then they explained it to me. I just made sure I was in the hospital in time so I had my meds 4 hours prior to giving birth, my son was healthy nothing wrong.

 

[Nikki_d72]

Good stuff, I'm sure your urine will be clear, like I say it only needs treated now it it's in your urine, otherwise it's just IV antibitotics in labour as a precaution. the probiotics i would recommend are the tablet type, not the drinks as they don't have enough in them and are ridiculously expensive! Get one that you have to keep in the fridge, they are best. All the best and try not to worry xxx

 

[Vidal0123]

I have had it with both previous pregnancies. I had 2 bags of antibiotics prior to babys delivery and all was fine. Pray for the best!

 

[sevilla24]

Last week my midwife told me to stick a clove of garlic up my lady parts the night before my strep B swab... to be honest, I'm not really sure how I feel about this!!!!!! Any thoughts???

 

[ILoveYouZandT]

I'm sorry you're so scared OP!!!

I have been positive for Group B Strep in both of my pregnancies, and quite frankly I expect to be positive this time around too! (Would be surprised if I wasn't!).

So let me say, my first labor I got to the hospital, waters broken already, and was hooked up with an IV and antibiotics straight away. Labored for 21 hours and received the right amount of antibiotics.

HEALTHY HEALTHY BABY!

Second time around, I arrived at the hospital 8 cm dilated. Waters broke shortly upon arrival. They spent a good half hour trying to get an IV in me and start the antibiotics. He was born about a half hour later. Total of 2 hours of labor... You need a minimum of 4 hours of antibiotics for it to be effective. So basically, I was not treated in my second labor and birth of my son.

HEALTHY HEALTHY BABY STILL!! No complications whatsoever!

I promise you it's not a death sentence for your baby, promise promise promise! Everyone is aware, it will be in your paper work. If you go into labor and you're worried go straight in and tell them you're Group B Step positive and you want to start antibiotics if possible?! I don't know how hospitals work to be honest! But it wouldn't hurt.