Strep B and Scared

[ItsAWonder]

Yesterday I was told that I am a carrier of Strep B and will need antibiotics during labor. Stupidly, I began to research Strep B online and am now terrified.

1. I am allergic to almost all antibiotics and the last time I took them I almost died. Usually I just get hives but I want to be healthy for my baby. I will be given Keflex instead of Penicillin and will be closely monitored

2. I am scared to death that I will still pass this onto my baby and feel like I failed as a mother already. I know this isn't true but I just can't seem to smile today.

Does anyone have positive stories about Strep B deliveries?

 

[mecia]

I had a healthy son, and delivery with strep b. Right after I had him I was hooked up to antibiotics and that was it. But I have no allergies to meds. I'm not sure what they will do in your case. If your feel very concerned I'd definitely go over what will be done with your doctor.
I just found out I'm a carrier again, something I figured since I've already been a carrier once..and will get antibiotics again once I deliever.

I am sure everything will be just fine, google always had the worse cases!

 

[ItsAWonder]

Thank you!

 

[jordiedoll]

I agree with mecia! Google always has the worst case scenarios! My midwife told me that 1 in 5 women are carriers of group B so it's very common. I know it's easier said than done, but try not to stress! I'm sure everything will be perfect!

 

[sun]

Please don't worry! I had strep B with my first two pregnancies. I had 1 round of antibiotics with my first (he was preterm and I had PPROM so additional risk factors) and declined them with my second. Having strep B is very common (20-40% of women), and there is only a small chance that your baby will actually contract strep B from you and if they did get it, there is an even smaller chance that your LO would actually get complications from it.

With my daughter I had no additional risk factors so didn't even get the antibiotics. Plus women go from being positive to negative regularly - so lots of the time you can't even know your GBS status at birth. I know quite a few women who don't even get tested because of this!

 

[jordiedoll]

Also, a friend of mine who is a doula told me to start taking a probiotic called femdopholis, and five drops of grapefruit seed extract in a bit of orange juice every day to prevent group b strep. It's bitter but really helps balance the bacteria. She told me to take one of those in the morning and one at night. You can get them both at super supplements. If you're really worried about the group b strep I would start on these so that you can help get rid of the bacteria before you go into labor!

 

[xdxxtx]

I tested positive for Strep B earlier in my pregnancy. I didn't have it with any of my previous pregnancies. Not sure if I have it now or not - I'll be tested again at 36 weeks but will probably be given antibiotics during labor as a preventative. My sister had Strep B with my nephew, who's now 1 1/2 and healthy as could be.

 

[lindsinc]

I had strep b with my first and when I went into labor they didn't have time to get the antibiotics in me before I delivered him. They kept us in the hospital one extra day just to monitor him but he was perfectly fine and is now a very busy happy 17 month old I just got tested last week for this baby and will find out next week the results but I'm really not worried about it. And yes google is a terrible place to look! Lol.

 

[nats77]

I had strep b last pregnancy, had iv antibiotics in labour and was kept in two days. I was fine my little boy was fine and is now a healthy 3 yr old. They said they won't test me this time or give me antibiotics or keep me in!! Just for me to keep an eye on baby when she's born for any signs of illness.

Hope all works out for you with the antibiotics and it doesn't make you poorly. Try not to worry Hun. Good luck xx

 

[Eternal]

I'm a carried of step b. I didn't have anti bs as I had a section last time, but one of my twins still caught it. He had to have 7 days anti bs and his twin has 5 days just to be sure. Neither have any ill effects.

 

[ItsAWonder]

Thanks so much ladies. You have made me feel much better.

 

[Melly Belly]

I apparently tested positive for GBS at my 37 week ob apt, so they are going to give me ampicillin during labor (i guess other hospitals do penicillin in my area) and my ob said its really common to be a carrier or "colonized" with the bacteria, and never know (and go from having it, to not, to having it..to not)...she gave me the impression that is it no big deal, they give me the ABXs, and thats the only thing different..so we will see

 

[Pikkahh]

I was a carrier when I had my so he was born very healthy