Strep B query

[Pussy Galore]

Does anyone know if this is routinely tested for in the UK?

My sister was diagnosed in Australia a few months back and had to have antibiotics during labour as a result.

I understand it it quite common but my mw hasn't mentioned anything about testing for it?

Anyone have any experience or advice?

Thanks

 

[c1reid]

sorry for gatecrashing here but post caught my eye.....im in scotland and i know they dont test routinely....i think you can get private test done but you have to pay for it...we didnt get it done but found out the hard way when my baby took group b strep meningitis...he's ok now but wish id paid to get test done. please dont let me scare you cos chances of it happening are slim but its obviously something you've been thinking about and tbh its something id advise people to get done now only cos of my own experience....x

 

[Pussy Galore]

I did wonder if private testing was an option?

I will certainly ask my mw at my next appt.. I wonder if my sister being a carrier makes it more likely that I will be?

Thanks for your advice


Edited..

Found a link for a free private test but you pay for the lab testing (£32)

https://www.mumstuff.co.uk/acatalog/Group-B-Streptococcus-Screening-Test-Kit.html

 

[velvetina]

Hey hun, like the previous post, I don't want to scare you, but I would take a test. I would like to say my story is rare but from what I have read, it's not as uncommon as we are lead to believe.

My daughter Velvet was my 3rd baby and my waters went just before 37 weeks, I was sent home until next morning for induction unless anything happened before hand. I came home in a panic as nothing was ready but felt very uneasy that something was wrong as I hardly had any movement. To cut a long story short, I went in and was monitored all night, then suddenly at 8.00 am it was decided an emergency section was needed. I had a feeling she would be in trouble but not as much as she was.

Her apgar was 0 at birth and she needed full resusitation. It transpired I had strep b/suspected chorioamnionititis. Any longer and she would not have made it. We spent a week in special/ transitional care hospital as she was given in their words "the domestos of antibiotics". I was in transitional care with other ladies whose baby had strep b.

I did a lot of research when I got home and found these conditions are not that uncommon and treated appropriately usually caused no problems, but when undiagnosed it can be devastating.

There is a lot being done to try and raise awareness of strep b and although it can be very scary, it doesn't have to be.

I still can't believe we that came that close and it has affected me. My dad was definately looking down on us.

If it gives you peace of mind lovely, go for it. x x

 

[calais]

Im in Australia and yes its routine here but i dont know of it being routine anywhere else in the world. I think it should be though as it can be so dangerous.

I tested positive my first pregnancy and was on antibiotics during labour. My son was fine. I sometimes wonder what if i lived somewhere else in the world and had never of known :s It scares me! And it actually upsets me not all women are tested, especially as there are no symptoms.

 

[Pussy Galore]

Thanks ladies...

Test ordered... I will happily pay £32 for peace of mind! I will just have to hope that the NHS will accept the results of a private test if it comes back positive.

It was only because my sister was routinely tested at 36 weeks in Australia that I was even aware of it.

How awful that it is not routinely tested here

 

[calais]

Thanks ladies...

Test ordered... I will happily pay £32 for peace of mind! I will just have to hope that the NHS will accept the results of a private test if it comes back positive.

It was only because my sister was routinely tested at 36 weeks in Australia that I was even aware of it.

How awful that it is not routinely tested here

Good on you for ordering the test Dont do it until 37 weeks though. That is when we are tested. Reason being, Say you dont have it at 35 weeks, doesnt mean you wont at birth. Thats why we are tested here when considered full term

 

[caleblake]

hi hun, its not routinelty tested for in the uk. I know this because I had a bit of bleeding at about 26 weeks and went to triage, they did a smear test thing and said it looked like old blood so it was nothing to worry about. Anyway about a week later I got a letter through saying that when they did the test they discovered I had step b. I asked my consultant about it and he said the reason its not tested as routine is because you can not have it one day then have it the next or vise versa. Anyway he explained that If I go into labour or my waters break (im having a section so may not happen to me) that they will give me antibiotics as it can pass on infections to the baby. Hope this helps and good luck with the test x

 

[OmiOmen]

I just found out that I have it yesterday and it was because of an early labour test I had done a few weeks ago and it came back later on that it was there so I will be put on a drip in labour. Like the others have said they do not routinely test for it in the UK though. Also, from what I have read only about 50% of women that do have it will actually have it show up on (the HVS at least) test.

 

[Tryin4Number3]

I didn't find out I had it until after I had my son. I went in to hospital when I was about a week overdue cos I thought my waters were leaking. They took a swab, told me they weren't and sent me home. I was induced a week later and it was only after I had my baby and they told me they were giving him antibiotics that anything was mentioned about the results of the swab showing that I had it! Apparently i'd been given antibiotics during labour and not even realised!

 

[moggymay]

Its hard to knw what is best really as they can test and you be negative then the next day you are positive.

My waters broke early with my son at 35 weeks, the tested routinely for GBS but found me to be negative, however he was born with GBS on him so he had to have 48 hours of antibiotics after birth as a precaution.

Luckily he was completely unaffected. This time we have been told we will be tested at 37 weeks, I am however not doing the test, we have instead agreed with the MW and consultant already that we will have an antibiotic drip in labour anyway as who's to say what happened last time wont happen again. Rather be safe than sorry and last time I was clear but bubs had it so...

If you are worried have a test done but talk through with your MW when best to have it done as it may be that if you have one test done they will give you another on the NHS?

Its a shame they dont routinely test for it but can kind of understand why they dont when things can change within 24 hours.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

 

[Widger]

I've been thinking about this too as a woman from work lost her baby due to group b strep. She did say that this was extremely rare and not to panic but to go trhough labour and have this happen is something that scares the living daylights out of me. I am going to my doctors tomorrow for routine check and will mention it to him then. I know it is too early but I want to know what his take is on it.

Maybe you should ask your doctor at your next visit because of your sister's history? I'm sure all will be fine PussyG but at least you have the test now to make sure xx

 

[Pussy Galore]

I've been thinking about this too as a woman from work lost her baby due to group b strep. She did say that this was extremely rare and not to panic but to go trhough labour and have this happen is something that scares the living daylights out of me. I am going to my doctors tomorrow for routine check and will mention it to him then. I know it is too early but I want to know what his take is on it.

Maybe you should ask your doctor at your next visit because of your sister's history? I'm sure all will be fine PussyG but at least you have the test now to make sure xx

Hey widger

I do plan on mentioning this to my mw/GP at my next appt for some advice.. but apparently there is no family connection with group strep b... so the fact that my sister has had two positive tests is irrelevant?!

Let me know how you get on?

xx

 

[Widger]

I will.... if only I remember to mention it tomorrow. My brain has become mush since going on maternity leave I'll set a reminder on my phone.

 

[Pussy Galore]

lol... me too!!

My next appt isn't for two weeks so I have even more chance of forgetting!!