Group B strep in pregnancy

Miranda - posted on 11/09/2011

I had it and they gave me IV meds during labor. Then kept My daughter and I 2 days for observation. She was just fine. I think it is important in this situation that when you are sure you are in labor get to the hospital so they can start you on it right away. The more round they can give you the better the chances.

Lelah - posted on 11/08/2011

My daughter was fine. They just gave her antibiotics when she was born.

Shelly - posted on 11/08/2011

If they have the time they will give you antibiotics that will treat the strep (normal bacteria found in some women around the rectum or vagina) when you start to go into to labor.



If they don't have time they will monitor your infant, draw 2 blood cultures, and do a cbc on your infant normally the day after birth.



They will take the blood cultures and test them for strep infection, and the cbc will be used to see if the baby has a raised white blood cell count that may indicate infection.



Most of the time everything is fine.



Please have them run another urine sample on you. I was told I had huge levels of bacteria in my urine while pregnant with my son. I refused meds & said I would give another sample. The next sample was clean of all bacteria, so either the lab contaminated my urine or I did not do the clean catch properly. The next sample I used 4 of those wipes they give you (very important) and caught the urine mid-stream, if you don't do it like this you could get false postives.



The normal way they tell if you have strep B is at about 32 to 36 weeks they do a vag / rectal swab & send that off to a lab. Have they done that yet?



Don't worry yourself too much, women give birth with strep B all the time.



I had Strep B and they gave me meds at the time of birth by IV to take care of it & the baby was fine. It sounds scarier than what it really is.

Charity - posted on 11/08/2011

I had it with my daughter. From the time my water broke to the time she was born was about 1 hr 15 minutes. There was no time for the antibiotics unfortunately. Luckily she was fine though they kept her in the NICU for a few hours for observation. The dr said that because the time from the water breaking to delivery was less 4 hours the chance of the baby getting it were less.

Kansas - posted on 11/07/2011

I had it during delivery. All they did was put me on an antibiotic drip during labor and delivery. My kiddo was just fine :) Not something you should stress about I think.

Jeanne - posted on 11/07/2011

I am a strep B carrier and tested pos. all three of my pregnancies. I was given antibiotics in IV while in labor and I have three healthy baby girls ages 5, 3 and 1. Speak to your OB Dr. To be honest, I tried not to worry about it because I had no control over it. I took care of myself during my pregnancies, ate well, lots of rest and drank my water and tried not to stress out too much. Wish you all the best.....relax now....believe me...you will have enough to stress about after your little bundle arrives. ;)

Vicki - posted on 11/07/2011

By You
Do not take the risk! We personally know a mother who was never given the AB's before or during her delivery and what would have been a very healthy and normal baby is now severly brain damaged due to lack of oxygen to the brain caused by group B Strep from the Mother why would you ever take that chance when all you have to take AB'S?????

Jessica - posted on 11/07/2011

I had it when I had my daughter and all my Dr did was put me on antibiotics while I was delivering. I was only on the antibiotic when I was actually delivering my daughter, not before and my labor was only 3 hours with the first hour and a half spent getting to the hospital, getting registered and getting to my room. My daughter was born perfectly healthy with no problems. I did not have it when I was pregnant with my son 7 years later. Both of my children, they are 12 and 5, are now and have always been perfectly healthy. I hope all works out well for you and your baby :-)

Darci - posted on 11/07/2011

I had it with both my kids. It can only be harmful to the baby if the doctor doesnt do anything about it while you are delivering. You will be fine they just give you penicillin in your IV while you are in labor they make sure it is in your system for I think an hour or maybe 2 i cant remember. Anyway if they put you on the penicillin before you have the baby, your baby will be fine. Also I was not put on antibiotics for it while I was pregnant nor was a friend of mine that had it. I was just given the medicine while in labor.

Lisa - posted on 11/07/2011

All they will do is give you some penecillin during labor. I had it with my 1st and he is now 9 and fine. I had thought that once you had it you were always treated but I came up negative with my subsequent twin pregnancy and they're also perfect.
Don't stress!!

Rian - posted on 11/07/2011

I was just like Lizz, tested positive with my second, had the meds but just missed the 4 hour mark since she wanted to come so quickly. There were no problems, we were both fine after delivery at the hospital and went home about 36 hours later. This is your precious baby, because you are at a higher risk you might want to have the baby at the hospital just incase there are complications and get the meds.

Elise - posted on 11/07/2011

I was swabbed and tested + for GBS at 30 weeks with a preterm labor scare and swabbed again at 38 weeks and still +. This was my 2nd pregnancy. With my first, I did not have GBS. I delivered in the hospital and I received the IV Penicillin less than 2 hours before delivery. My delivery was fast and uncomplicated- vaginal without medications with the help of a doula. The physician advised having the baby tested via a blood culture. They wanted to do this right after delivery at 4am but we waited to do this later in the morning when the pediatrician came (this allowed for bonding time with baby). The baby did not have to receive an injection every 12 hours as the previous poster said her baby had. We also did not have to stay extra days in the hospital awaiting results. It depends upon the hospital's protocol and the pediatrician. The babies culture came back negative.
I am a nurse and I understand your concern for having freedom of movement during labor. The antibiotic injection doesn't not take long to run in- about 20 minutes. It comes in a syringe and the midwife can unhook it and flush your iv site with saline once it's done. Since the midwife is coming to your house you may just want to call her when in early labor so as to get the IV inserted when your labor pains are relatively easy to cope with. I had mine placed when I was in transition. I was standing at the end of the raised bed holding my right arm still while I swayed to cope with intense contractions.

As a student nurse in the late 90's I remembered seeing a baby in the NICU with GBS. They can get very sick but because of the routine testing done now there are fewer babies with this needing ICU care. Best wishes to you for a happy, healthy delivery.

Karen - posted on 11/07/2011

My SIL's sister had group B strep and was not treated when in labour. Her baby died within 24 hrs. I don't mean to scare you but you are suppose to be on the antibiotics for at least 4 hrs before you deliver and they will (should) keep an eye on baby to make sure that everything is OK.

Canan - posted on 11/07/2011

I also had it, was told that they need to put you on a antibiotic drip 4 hours befores, if there isnt enough time like moi, I staying in the hospital for 3 days while waiting the test results to show if it had passed on to my daughter. In the mean time she had an antibiotic injection every 12 hours while waiting the results, just to be on the safe side.......

Jocelyn - posted on 11/07/2011

I had a home birth with my daughter. I tested positive for group b at my 38th week check. My midwives asked me what I wanted to do, so I went home and researched and researched for DAYS! I finally decided that getting the IV meds was the right thing to do. I called up my midwifes and said, yes, bring the meds when the time came. My water broke later that same evening lol. She came so fast that my midwives didn't even have time to stop by the hospital to pick up the antibiotics! My daughter was not affected and is now a perfectly healthy 2 year old. But let me just say, those first 24 hours and the first week I was just worried sick! I was watching her constantly. Save yourself the worry and get the IV meds lol

Lizz - posted on 11/06/2011

I had it and took the iv treatment while I was in labor but my daughter came out so quick the meds didnt finish. She and I were both fine. No side effects and she was perfectly healthy. Get the meds! Think of your baby and not what you want! Its not about you anymore

Amy - posted on 11/06/2011

I'm confused why you would risk it even if everything did work out for another mom? Just because another mom does something that's risky doesn't mean that you should do the same because it worked out ok for them! Just out of curiosity why are you reluctant to get the antibiotics? Then my follow up question is why are you still reluctant to protect your unborn child even after you've read all these horrible things that could happen to your unborn child?

Krista - posted on 11/06/2011

You didn't just ask if anybody else had done it, you made it very clear in your comments that you were very reluctant to do it. It's hard to be supportive when someone is seriously pondering such a reckless decision. I hope that our comments have actually given you food for thought, but it looks more like you've decided to just be offended and chalk our alarm up to "rudeness". I hope for your unborn baby's sake that some of what has been said here will actually sink in, and that you will turn firmly and decisively away from the notion of not having antibiotics.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 11/06/2011

"I would never purposefully harm my children in any way and they always come first."

Then, get the IV antibiotics.

Liza - posted on 11/06/2011

I do not see how it is necessary for the hurtful remarks and rude name calling. I understand you have your opinion. This is not my first time around being pregnant so I know what I eat/have affects the baby-as far as taking previous meds. So do not judge me and say I am hypocritical. I never said I was looking for a "perfect birth"-there is no such thing. (My first birth was not at all what we had "planned") I am not selfish- I have sacrificed a lot (as all moms do) since my children have been born. I would never purposefully harm my children in any way and they always come first.

Just for the record I never said I was NOT taking an IV. I was just simply asking if others have NOT.

I have read how others posts rude remarks in the past. I thought this was a place to get support/ideas/help....I have been mistaken. I will not be posting or reading from here again.

Tara - posted on 11/06/2011

Oh and Liza if you are a strong supporter of homebirthing and midwifery led care, PLEASE take the IV Abs. The reason I stress this so adamantly is because I am a strong supporter of homebirthing and midwifery led care. I birthed 3 babies at home after 3 non complicated hospital births.
I loved my homebirths, I loved the experience of empowerment it gave me, but I also love my babies. And while birth to me is a great experience, it's not all mine. There is another person involved. And it's our job to make sure they come into the world as safely as possible, medical knowledge and testing is there for a reason, it saves lives. Please don't let your baby become a statistic that not only puts her in grave danger or causes her to die, but also put the entire homebirthing community in danger of being labeled yet again because some mom chose to put her experience before the health and safety of her baby.
It happens too frequently, we rarely hear of all the positive, normal home births, we only read or hear about the horror stories.
And largely they are preventable things like this. Do the right thing and take the IV, it's only every 4 hours, and it could save your child's life, as well as prove that not all homebirthing moms are selfish and delusional.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 11/06/2011

Perfectly put "Annie"

Stifler's - posted on 11/06/2011

I don't see the problem here. You're taking ABs anyway. Get the IV and still have a homebirth. An IV port won't affect your birth all you have to have is antibiotics you don't need a drip.

Charlie - posted on 11/06/2011

Why would anyone risk their child's health and life just so they can have their ideal birth? My gosh, life takes priority.

Erin - posted on 11/06/2011

Liza, please look at this link. It outlines everything everyone has been telling you, including that a positive urine test puts your baby at greater risk. This can cause serious complications for your baby, but can be prevented by 4hrs on the IV. I don't know why you are even questioning it TBH.

http://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/...

Tara - posted on 11/06/2011

"My midwife has informed me that testing for Group B Strep has only been 10 years or less. "

Ya and a whole lot of babies died prior to that testing because there was no way to know if they had group B strep exposure at birth or not. So they died of "respiratory failure" or "bacterial infections" but had their mom's been tested they might have lived.
Doctors thought women died from childbirth fever a long time ago, then they found out they should probably wash their hands before delivering babies.
It's called "advancements in medical knowledge"

Tara - posted on 11/06/2011

If I am to understand you correctly, your plans for a homebirth will not be altered if you choose to have the IV to prevent transmission of a potentially fatal infection to your newborn, your choice of care provider ie: your midwife will also not change.
Can I ask why this is even a question for you if you know the possible complications to your baby?
I have 6 kids, the last 3 born at home, I never tested positive but if I had I surely would have taken the precautions of an IV at home, which I also had the option of. My birth plans would not have changed and even had that been the case (I had to go to the hospital etc.) I would have gone.
Because that risk to my baby in order to fulfill my desire for a natural intervention free birth would be tantamount to neglect in my opinion. Your child could die if she contracts this bacteria.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 11/06/2011

@ Liza "I have had 3 rounds on meds and still have it"



It is silly that you think treating yourself NOW is not effecting the baby, taking rounds of antibiotics weeks after weeks...you think your kid isn't already exposed to the treatment you are currently giving yourself??? What is the difference in getting IV antibiotics during delivery to prevent complication??? Sounds pretty hypocritical to me.....and reckless.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 11/06/2011

"How does Group B Strep infection affect a newborn baby?

Babies may experience early or late-onset of GBS.

The signs and symptoms of early onset GBS include:

Signs and symptoms occurring within hours of delivery
Breathing problems, heart and blood pressure instability
Gastrointestinal and kidney problems
Sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis are the most common complications

Newborns with early-onset are treated the same as the mothers, which is through intravenous antibiotics.

The signs and symptoms of late-onset GBS include:

Signs and symptoms occurring within a week or a few months of delivery
Meningitis is the most common symptom
Late-onset GBS is not as common as early-onset

Late-onset of GBS could be a result of delivery, or the baby may have contracted it by coming into contact with someone who has GBS."


http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnan...

~♥Little Miss - posted on 11/06/2011

Liza, I did not receive the antibiotics during my delivery. My daughter is fine, but I guess it was not a very bad strep B?? No clue.....now, if I could do it all over again, and have the time to decide if I wanted IV antibiotics or not, you bet your sweet ass I would have gotten the antibiotics!

You have to seriously remember, I had the nursing staff to watch for any reactions....24 hours per day. Once you deliver, that is it. You will not have the 24 hour nursing staff to watch your baby. You are potentially taking an unnecessary risk. What happens if your baby shows signs of infection, or dies...when all it would have taken is some IV antibiotics to avoid tragedy? How would you live with yourself????? I was so worried about my baby. It is not worth it.

Krista - posted on 11/06/2011

I understand the risk factors are more for baby then me. I just keep reading the worse possible outcome if IV is not given, but I am sure there are women out there who have not taken the IV and baby is just fine.

Yeah, and there are some people who have jumped off of tall buildings and survived.

That doesn't make it a smart thing to do.

Rosie - posted on 11/06/2011

i'm confused...you KNOW that there are serious risks to your child if you don't take the antibiotics during labor, but you are still thinking about not doing it? why? so YOU can have your perfect wonderful labor?
i don't get it and never will. take the damn antibiotics for christs sake.

Iridescent - posted on 11/06/2011

This is quite serious. You would not be considered "just" a carrier because you do have the infection in your bladder. This alone puts you in high risk category, which would show treatment during delivery is necessary. While I personally think you should have the IV during labor to reduce the risk to your baby, the facts are that without antibiotics your baby has a risk of 1:200 of developing the infection if born while you are infected without antibiotic treatment. If you have treatment, the risk drops to 1:4000. For me, this alone justifies the IV.

Second, while the infection symptoms can present shortly after birth and show your baby needs antibiotics, they may not present for months afterwards and your baby could be very ill and nobody would realize it until it's too late. Would you want to worry every time your baby has a fever, cough, or spits up, that they may be dying of GBS? Because all babies have these issues at some point.

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnan...

Erin - posted on 11/06/2011

Liza, like I said, the fact that it showed up in your urine early in the pregnancy(as opposed to the swab at the end) means you have a heavy colonization that is unlikely to clear itself up. I am very pro-homebirth, but you would be wise to take the ABs during your labour.

Liza - posted on 11/06/2011

I am having a natural homebirth (midwife & staff and a doula) so the choice is up to me if I want to/or not want and IV with antibiotics. I am not forced to have an IV like you would if you were in a hospital. I was taking meds to see if the Group B Strep would clear up in hopes that I would not have it during delivery and be in this situation I am in now.

I just wanted to see how many women out there had Group B Strep during delivery and if you choose not to have an IV/antibiotics what has been the outcome-baby ok? any side effects to baby? concerns with baby health?

I understand the risk factors are more for baby then me. I just keep reading the worse possible outcome if IV is not given, but I am sure there are women out there who have not taken the IV and baby is just fine. My midwife has informed me that testing for Group B Strep has only been 10 years or less.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 11/06/2011

I had it also, with both my children. It is only dangerous to the baby during delivery. I have never heard of anyone on antibiotics before the baby was born. Beings that it can spontaneously come and go at will, I am not sure what the point would be. Could you clarify???

When you are in labor, they will hook you up to some fluids via cathedar, and administer antibiotics intravenously at that time. My deliver was so quick with my daughter, that they did not have time to start the antibiotics, so she was exposed. They kept an eye on her in the nursery for symptoms, but ended up being just fine.

I did NOTHING special during my pregnancy for either one of my kids. Once again, it is spontaneous and can come and go at various times. Once you are diagnosed with it, you automatically get the intravenous antibiotics during deliver to prevent contamination of your child,

Erin - posted on 11/05/2011

If it has shown up in your urine, that means you have a high colonization that is not likely to be solved with herbal or natural remedies unfortunately. All you can do is get the IV antibiotics. If you are wanting a natural birth, see if they will unhook the IV after the ABs have run through and just leave the heplock. That will allow you freedom of movement, instead of being constrained to the bed. Good luck!