Not being screened for Group B Strep?

[Armywife]

In my last pregnancy they found i had group b strep by chance after having swabs done for heavy bleeding at 16 weeks (although the results weren't passed on to me or midwife till i was induced at 36wks due to pre eclampsia) so if i'd gotten the home birth i wanted i'd probably never have known. So i mentioned at my booking in appointment that i had Group B Strep and the mw said just because i had it last time doesn't mean i will have it this time and they won't be screening me for it. I asked again at my appointment last week and again she said they won't screen me for it. I'm worried now, my cousin recently lost a baby to streptococcal meningitis due to undiagnosed group b strep. Does anyone know if i can demand a test? I see my consultant in just over a week and would like to know where i stand xx

 

[littleblonde]

i thought that once you had it once you where treated regardless in future pregnancy. It can come and go. In my last pregnancy i was swabbed twice and the 1st time i had it and the 2nd time i didnt. I would ask your consultant.

 

[velvetina]

I understand your concern hun, I am so sorry for your cousin's loss that is so tragic. I was unaware of how devastating it can be until I so very nearly lost my daughter due to chorioamnionitis probably due to the strep b I had.

I thought the same hun, they should treat you with antibiotics accordingly. I would check with your consultant at what point they want you to come into hospital when your labour starts.

 

[gumb69]

i thought that they routinely test you if you tested positive the first time, and they would automatically give you antibiotics.
i would demand it hun xxxx

 

[mamaofthree]

I have it too, but have delivered three healthy baies without anti b's....my waters went just before delivery, they werent prem, or underweight, and i had no fever or other signs of infection so it isnt hosp policy to treat with i.vs. They don't screen because sooooo many women carry it, and only a few imuno compromised babies will have problems. Its up to you...you could have anti b's in labour...or not...your choice. Just wtch for baby having a low temp, mottled skin, high temp, lethargy, grutning, or general feeling that somehting isnt right with your baby!!! but to have a test now, and be pos does not mean you will be pos in labour as strep is soooo transient! Oral anti b's will only reduce colonization, and are only recommended in the event that strep gives you a uti.

You could pretend you think you have an infection and get your local surgery nurse to swab you....or there are private clinics that will send you the kit. contact the groupbstrepsupport.org for more advice.

Good luck hun, and try not to stress...it is a natural bacteria and in the most part harmless...only in very specific situations does it cause problems, and afterall forewarned is forarmed!! x x x x x

 

[youtalkcrap]

demand those IV anti's xx

 

[Dream.A.Dream]

You can pay a small fee of around £30 to get it done privately. A quick google will provide you with more details xx

 

[KandyKinz]

GBS is a bacteria that comes and goes so it is very very possible to have GBS in one pregnancy and not have it for the next.... In fact it is very possible to have GBS one month and not have it the next... and vice versa.... It just comes and goes.....

Anyways, are your sure they meant that they weren't going to screen you at all??? That seems rather odd. Perhaps they just meant that they are not going to screen you now, because generally speaking they only routinely screen people at around 36 weeks as the screen is only been shown to be predictive for a five week period of time and that way they can have the most reliable information for the time of birth (as most people do go to term....)

 

[Susanah]

it is not screened for routinely in the uk. however since you have already had gbs you meet criteria for iv antibiotic treatment prior to delivery. ( see royal college obs and gynae guidelines for management of group b strep - they on the college website).
Demand antibiotics. you should receive them whether you test positive or not, based on your previous swabs.