Group B Strep and a New Question

lizok22

I've got it again.  I had it with DS#1 and I was hoping to not have it again but I just tested positive.  Last time it was no big deal, just a bag of antibiotics in an IV.  Apparently 30% of women have this.  Who else is in my boat?

Edited with question:  My cervix is open to 3cm and my doctor gave me oral amoxicillan to be on the safe side.  My question, can I have sex?  I don't want to introduce any bacteria to the cervix.

snowpants

I had it with DD and was just tested this week so am waiting on results for this pregnancy.  I'm just assuming I'll have it again. 

otter1103

Was just tested this week. So I'll find out in a week. OB said she'd just give me a course of antibiotics then if positive. For those that have had it before, did you all do IV meds during labor, pills ahead of time or I'm assuming it just varies by Doc?

beachbride5

i did not have it with ds, but did have it with dd and the ob said in passing i would be treated for it again this time, so maybe it stays after you test positive once? i was super nervous about it last time and kept telling the nurses that i had it because they seemed so casual about it. this time i'm not so worried anymore. i'm sure you'll be fine!

MrsKipper

I had it last time and have it this time. NBD, other than my penicillin allergy. They have to test the cultures extra to see what abx to use instead of penicillin!

lizok22

just iv in labor.  I was wondering if this is a new-ish thing.  I mean I know my mom was not tested so who knew back then what was living in your vagina? 

Mizoo

I'm also positive, which just means I will get an IV port placed when I go into labor and abx every four hours, NBD.

The only thing I'm concerned about is remembering to keep the arm with the port in it out of the birth tub!  (Assuming no complications pop up in the next two weeks, I'm planning a water birth at my hospital)

Unknown

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steprozz

had it with DS and it's NBD just abx during labor. just got tested on Tuesday so don't know the results yet but I'm having a csection so my dr said it doesn't even matter this time. I don't think I'll have to have the abx this time

ncbelle

I was GBS+ with #1 and #2 but not this time! 

It really is no biggie though.  

erind228

I was GBS+ with number one, but not with 2 or this one. I'm pretty sure it comes and goes.

potterybygrace

Positive. I will be on a penicillin IV I assume. Wondering if I can take a pill form if my water breaks before the hospital?

fsumom

I have it this time around but not with DD.  I was told 40% of pregnant women have it.

Julie&Micah

Had it with DD, don't have it with this one. I think it comes and goes. It was no big deal to have the IV during labor, just another tube (I already had a tube for fluids and epi)

LKHoffa

I'm one of the lucky ones who has it. Between that and having a negative blood type, I'm just glad I'm having this baby in 2014 and not 1914!!!!

roadspeckle

I had it. It was NBD.

Aaward1658

It's been a standard test for probably 20 years. Risk for baby getting severe sepsis is large so the antibiotics go through placenta and get into baby's bloodstream to help them kill off any bacteria that get into their system.

owlcup

I had it with my first two and am assuming I have it again. I won't be tested until next week at my appointment.

I'm really praying I don't have it though as I wasn't in labor long (only in labor for 3 hours) enough to receive the abx with DS so we were stuck in the hospital for four days so he could be monitored.

CrysW08

potterybygrace said:

Positive. I will be on a penicillin IV I assume. Wondering if I can take a pill form if my water breaks before the hospital?

I'm positive too and my dr said if my water breaks at home that I need to call her & then head to the hospital so they can start antibiotics. Kind of a bummer.

JESNYC

I just tested positive and will be talking to my doctor about it at my next appointment.  When she gave me the swab, she said it was not uncommon and would just mean antibiotics so not to freak out if I test positive.  We just need to discuss the options since I am allergic to penicillin.

ahopkins0419

Tested positive also so I will be on penicillin

iris427

StrawberryDreams219 said:

It's been a standard test for probably 20 years. Risk for baby getting severe sepsis is large so the antibiotics go through placenta and get into baby's bloodstream to help them kill off any bacteria that get into their system.

Contracting GBS is actually very very rare. GBS infections happen in 0.0005% of babies born vaginally and in 0.005% of babies born vaginally without antibiotics. If babies do contract GBS it can be life threatening, but the chance is very slim. Only about 1,200 babies a year in the US contract GBS. ETA only 4-6%of babies who do contract GBS die.

The CDC says that a baby born to a GBS+ mother who does not receive antibiotics has a 1 in 200 chance of getting GBS, ie 0.5%.  With antibiotics, the risk drops to 1 in 4000.

https://www.cdc.gov/groupbstrep/about/fast-facts.html

Carriebear22

FTM, gbs positive. No biggie, I probably won't even notice them giving me the antibiotic.

bellaa2020

I tested positive as well.  Doctor just said 40% of women test positive and that if my water breaks at home that i should go to the hospital and give her a call immediately.  Will be put on antibiotics at the hospital. 

Praying baby doesn't get it!

erikaleighh

I just got tested but don't have results yet. Even though I am having a scheduled c-section I still have to be tested in case my water breaks before the surgery. I am 2 hours away from the hospital so they said if water breaks and I have Strep B they'll need to out me on antibiotics just because of the time it will take between water breaking and the c-section.

lizok22

bump! need to know about eviction sex, lol.

ElTrain5

lizok22 said:

bump! need to know about eviction sex, lol.

I'm assuming you mean sex to help jumpstart labor? As has been said many a time on this board, nothing will jumpstart labor unless you're body is truly ready.  Sex has been rumored to help given 1) the production of oxytocin (assuming you are into it), 2) an orgasm helping to cause gentle "contractions", and 3) Sperm helping to soften the cervix with prostaglandins.

So, it may help, it may not, but as long as you provider has cleared you for sex and your water has not broken, it doesn't seem to hurt!

Personnaly, my husband caught onto the rumor about it starting labor, so he's holding back until he can get more work on the house done.  I'm hoping that helping myself to no. 1 & 2 is enough to do the trick.

BMaidPlanner

I have it. Doc said: It can clear up, which is why you can have it with one pregnancy, not another. Comes and goes. 

She also said it just means I'll need a few rounds of antibiotics via IV in labor, and that if my water breaks I will probably have less time at home as they'd want to get me started on them sooner than later.

Ask Doc about the sex question. 

lizok22

lol, i always think of these questions after i leave. 

jwarnerb

ElTrain5 said:

lizok22 said:

bump! need to know about eviction sex, lol.

I'm assuming you mean sex to help jumpstart labor? As has been said many a time on this board, nothing will jumpstart labor unless you're body is truly ready.  Sex has been rumored to help given 1) the production of oxytocin (assuming you are into it), 2) an orgasm helping to cause gentle "contractions", and 3) Sperm helping to soften the cervix with prostaglandins.

So, it may help, it may not, but as long as you provider has cleared you for sex and your water has not broken, it doesn't seem to hurt!

Personnaly, my husband caught onto the rumor about it starting labor, so he's holding back until he can get more work on the house done.  I'm hoping that helping myself to no. 1 & 2 is enough to do the trick.

This was my favorite part.  Haha, nicely done, @ElTrain5.