group b strep/homebirth dream shattered/rant

[zilla]

So I'd been ill for weeks with what I thought was tonsillitis.
Wentnto the docs for a swab on my throat, they said to call in a few days for results.
I rang and they told me that nothing was wrong and no further action needed.

A week later, at a mw appointment, I mention to her that im still feeling rubbish.
She looks on the system and finds out that ive got group b strep and that I should have been contacted for antibiotics.
Now im on them but the strep may still be in my system when I go into labour, meaning ill have to go on 8v drip of antibiotics from the moment labour starts and stay in and me and baby both get antibiotics.
Ive gone from home birth to looking at 2 days in hospital which is what happened to someone I know who had it.
I know its all about getting the baby out safely but I feel really miffed now

Anyone else in the same position?

 

[kimmy04]

I tested positive for strep b, it's really not that big of a deal. I got into the hospital at 6 cm dilated and was hooked up to IV antibiotics shortly after. Had a normal labour and delivery and they just kept me on IV for I think 34 hours after that to make sure everything was good and monitored my son (but he stayed in my room the whole time). He had no issues at all and we were out in less than 48 hours! Try not to worry!

I was told the only time you would ever know you have strep b is when you are tested during pregnancy. It's a bacteria in the body that doesn't usually cause any harm, except when baby passes through birth canal. I haven't heard of anyone needing to go on Antibiotics before labour? I never needed to, just during and after.

 

[Rickles]

I'm pretty sure they could test you again at 36/37 weeks and if you are clear it shouldn't be a problem??

I would check with a doctor / consultant. As far as I know you need IV antibiotics if you have strep B at the point of labour - not if you had it 6 months before... xx

 

[Pussy Galore]

I'm pretty sure they could test you again at 36/37 weeks and if you are clear it shouldn't be a problem??

I would check with a doctor / consultant. As far as I know you need IV antibiotics if you have strep B at the point of labour - not if you had it 6 months before... xx

My MW advised exactly the same... even a positive result now would not necessarily mean a postive result at 36/37 weeks. My MW confirmed that I would be tested at that point and then a decision made.

 

[kittylady]

My midwife has said retest at 36 weeks, if negative then I can still have a homebirth.

 

[Rhapsodi]

I'm in your boat. I did want a home birth but I knew my husband wouldn't allow it. But I was pretty bummed when I found out I'd need iv antibiotics during labor.

I'm stuill hoping to stay home as long as possible. But not sure how that is going to go.

I've tested positive for group b twice so far. And had antibiotics both times. My midwife wants to do an iv regardless of testing later in pregnancy because once you have it you typically always do. It just can become inactive so it is just a precaution. I've had plenty of complications so far so we will just follow recommendations.

However, I have done lots of reading on this. Although Candida is completely different from group b there is a connection. You could have candida yeast overgrowth. To treat you change diet. This could make the group b to go away (not just become inactive). My mw loved the idea of trying this but did still want to do an iv. But I wanted to mention it to you.

 

[pLadyBug]

I agree with the previous posters... You can be retested closer to your due date, positives can turn into negatives. As for needing antibiotics now I would question that. I've never heard such a thing. Strep B is normal bacteria found within your body. Most of the time it remains dormant but occasionally it becomes active. At delivery it poses a threat, but not before. Either way there are alternatives to antibiotics if you wanted to go that route.

 

[notmommyyet]

I had it for my daughter. Hooked me up when I got there. Had her, unhooked me right away and we left the hospital at the normal 24 hour mark when they do the eye and hearing test (for every single baby not just GBS) and we left. I wouldnt have been none of the wiser that I had a different labour then anybody else

 

[Lois22]

I didn't test for the reason one day you can be positive and the next negative. My midwife advised me not to for a home birth.

Xx

 

[jhughes0709]

I tested pos. for group b with my first pregnancy but ended up having a csection so it wasn't an issue and my 2nd I had a repeat c/s. I'm sorry about your home birth hopes though! Maybe they will retest closer to your due date and you'll be neg!

 

[JaneSharon86]

With my previous pregnancy I tested positive after a bleed at 28 weeks (didn't realise i was being tested) and I had a home birth planned.

I requested a reswab at 37 weeks which came back negative, so home birth was still on

Don't give up hope yet; Strep B comes and goes.

I'm def having a hospital birth this time, but if I test positive at any point during the pregnancy I will still be requesting a reswab to try and avoid the antibiotics during labour (as there as negatives to this too if unnecessary).

 

[Leinzlove]

I have no idea about it effecting home birth. But I've had IV drips for it with both of my girls.

Can you get the IV at home?

 

[MummyToAmberx]

I got positive for strep b on 6th may that i only just found out about and that i didnt even know i was tested for.
fingers crossed i get clear test later on.

 

[Kiamaria83]

When I had my little boy they found we both had strep b. it was found by chance and can be life threatening for baby. I've been told that as I had a baby born positive previously then I have to be on a drop in labour . It's annoying but better to be safe. Maybe see if they can test you nearer to your due date

 

[AnonymousCAT]

Just found out I am mildly positive for this in my urine, like a low grade uti. My mw suggested antibiotics now to help it go away as can cause kidney infection or preterm labor later on if not cleared up. I guess it's not supposed to be in your urinary tract if you have it. She also said that I would need to be on iv antibiotics for labor if I was neg or positive as the bacteria will likely be in my vaginal canal and can harm baby, so this is just a best practice precaution. Just another thing to worry about I guess.

 

[kimmy04]

I have had this both times and with my first there was no issues, just needed an IV during labour and everything was fine. This time it's caused me to have a small kidney stone but the doctor isn't too concerned as it's so small and not causing me too much pain (so far) so have opted to leave it in unless it gets worse. Try not to worry, it is very unlikely that strep b will do any harm! Doctors know how to treat it

 

[Kitten]

I just posted in the other thread about this, but I had two GBS homebirths and I'm planning to have another this time. As pp have said, it's transient so you could be positive one day and negative the next and vice versa, complete waste of time.