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culture taken form my bottom???

Mishalyn - posted on 06/29/2010 ( 3 moms have responded )

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My doctor told me at my next app. when im 36 weeks he wants to take a culture from my bottom, what does this mean and how will it be done?

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Jane - posted on 06/30/2010

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32

it's just for Strep b which is very common, i've had it both times. they just use a big Q-tip. if you do have it, they just need to know so they can give you anti-biotics during delivery to protect the baby from getting it when they come out of the birth canal.

Lauren - posted on 06/29/2010

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They basically just rub it over your butt hole it takes like two seconds you won't even notice it. It isn't even invasive at all I just had it done last week and it was just a little swipe and that is all!! It is to test for group b strep and if you have it you will get antibiotics while giving birth. A lot of women have this and they would give you antibiotics at birth just to protect the baby if you have it!! :-D

Allison - posted on 06/29/2010

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It's to test for Group B strep. They just swab your vagina and rectum with a q-tip. I would recommend reading up on it ahead of time, so you know what kind of questions to ask your doctor about it, and other tests/treatments he might recommend. If you test positive, most doctors and hospitals recommend that you take IV antibiotics during labor - which can make it difficult to move around freely to keep your labor progressing. But there are options and alternatives. If you check into the risks and options ahead of time, you can make the best decision based on your doctor's advice :)

I had a midwife, and she said that doctors check your butt and vagina - she only did a vaginal check, because that's the only thing that matters, but I guess doctor's are perhaps concerned that the bacteria will get into your vagina before or during the birth? Group B strep can cause severe infections in babies, which are very serious and life-threatening if not caught early. But the evidence so far doesn't show that the preventative IV antibiotics to the mother help outcomes in infants - and he/she can also pick it up at the hospital, even if you test negative. So you still always have to monitor your baby closely after birth for fever and other signs of illness. That's really the best defense. If caught early, most babies can be successfully treated with antibiotics after the birth. Good luck!

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