Group B strep and labor?

Lilo06

I might get a better response from 3rd tri, but I figured I'd give it a shot here first.

At my first OB appointment, I tested positive for GBS, so I need to receive IV antibiotics during labor.  My understanding is that the antibiotics are most effective if they're started within 12 hours or so of your water breaking.  Now, since there can be a long time between your water breaking and the point where you're generally supposed to go to the hospital, what's the protocol for a woman who carries GBS?  I suppose I have to get to the hospital so that they can start the IV, but then do they send me home with the IV or induce labor or what?  

I'll ask my doc about this at one of my appointments, but I'm curious about it now.

Roothie427

One of the signs that it is time to go to the hospital is that your water breaks.

Lilo06

I thought it was when your contractions were 5 min apart.  And can't your water break well before that point?

Roothie427

There is the 5-1-1 rule and then also if your water breaks...once your water breaks the contractions kick in much faster.

My doctor tells me that if my water breaks at home I should take a shower and head in. With my first the water did not break at all and they had to puncture it before I started pushing.

Lilo06

Ok.  My doc hasn't gone over anything like when to go to the hospital with me yet, except to say to come in if I think I've gone into preterm labor.  I'm still pretty sketchy on what the full term protocol is!  Thanks, and I'll definitely have to ask for some more details from my doc!

shannynhall

You may not be positive for GBS at the time of birth and should be tested again. Testing that early and going off of those results is sort of silly because it might not be the same later.

Lilo06

shannynhall:

You may not be positive for GBS at the time of birth and should be tested again. Testing that early and going off of those results is sort of silly because it might not be the same later.

I dunno.  My doc told me that they were going to go off of the early results and assume I'm still a carrier at the time of delivery.  They also plan to do the antibiotics for any subsequent pregnancies.  They told me that the GBS can come and go but overall it tends to be a chronic thing.  **shrugs**  Anyway, the IV is such a minor thing that I'd rather be treated needlessly than take the chance of my baby developing an infection.

californiaclaire

If your water breaks they'll want you to go straight to the hospital (at least that's what I was told). They usually want to get labor moving along at that point because the more time that elapses, the greater the risk of infection after your water breaks.

texasmom07

I tested positive for Group B with my DD and the doctor wanted me to come in as soon as the contractions were 5 mins apart or my water broke. ?As soon as I was admitted I was given an IV and one again during active labor. ?It really wasn't a big deal at all. ?

undercovermother21

If your water breaks, you should always go to the hospital. My previous experience with my son was once my water broke, my contractions became very strong and more frequently. You obviously will not know how many centimeters dialated you are unless you go to the hospital.

I also had GBS with my son, and as soon as my water broke, I just went to the hospital. They started my IV right away and it was no big deal. They did keep us an extra day though because of it - just to monitor DS. No biggy.

kyla&dan

I had GBS with DD and have been told I have it again & will need the IV again. She said to come as soon as my water broke and not wait for 5 min contractions. I had an IV bag every 4 hours or so for a total of 4 bags. My biggest issue with it is taht all of those antibiotics really messes up your good digestive bacteria. Every lactation consultant and nurse told me to eat lots of yogurt and I plan to take probiotics also.?

It seems like once you have GBS, there is really no way to permanently get rid of it.?

LittleEgypt

Lilo06:

shannynhall:

You may not be positive for GBS at the time of birth and should be tested again. Testing that early and going off of those results is sort of silly because it might not be the same later.

I dunno.  My doc told me that they were going to go off of the early results and assume I'm still a carrier at the time of delivery.  They also plan to do the antibiotics for any subsequent pregnancies.  They told me that the GBS can come and go but overall it tends to be a chronic thing.  **shrugs**  Anyway, the IV is such a minor thing that I'd rather be treated needlessly than take the chance of my baby developing an infection.

Get a new doctor, yours is an idiot. Everyone has Group B Strep in their body. What matters is whether your vagina carries it at the time of the birth. That's why doctors and midwives give you a culture between 35 and 37 weeks per ACOG recommendation.

Here is a link, I didn't make this shit up. I'm honestly amazed that your doctor is this uninformed. https://tinyurl.com/67gmve

With regards to treatment, you don't need an IV per se. You just need an intravenous dose of penicillin about every 4 hours. If you don't want an IV in all the time, they can give you a dose via butterfly needle and then another one later. Since you really only need it prior to the actual birth, you don't need to worry about getting it and going home. As far as your water breaking, you probably won't be sent home if that happens anyway. If your labor is truly so fast that they can't get the antibiotics in, it's unlikely your baby will be exposed. The risk is 1/200 if you are highly colonized and do nothing, but since it's a very simple thing to treat, I would definitely do it - If I tested GBS+ at 35-37 weeks, not in the 1st trimester.