Positive Group B Strep Test

bnicoleholland

hi ladies! I went last week for my 36 week check up and just got my results back that I tested positive for group b strep. I did a lot of reading this morning and it seems pretty scary. My question is can I have an elective c section because of this. I know it will not eliminate the chances of LO getting the bacteria but I am reading that it greatly reduces the risks and I am up for anything to better protect her. Please help !!

SassetteSmurfling

C-sections come with a whole other set of risks, it's a major surgery for you and has risks for baby as well. From what I understand as long as you get the antibiotics while in the labor the risks of LO being infected is pretty low.

kclg10

I was GBS positive with my first pregnancy. I had the antibiotics and delivered a very healthy baby.

Miz_Liz

No one on here knows what your Dr's policy is about elective ultra sounds, but I can tell you I would never opt for one simply because of this test coming back positive. I was positive with DS and had no issues, I just received IV antibiotics when I was in labor and it was NBD. C-Sections are major surgery and there are a lot of risks associated with them. I would recommend you talk to your Dr about your fears and stay off Google.

Kath1083

I am in the exact same boat.  My doctor seemed to think it was not a big deal, so I am trusting her.  However I also made the mistake of googling it.  I decided to try and stay off for the rest of my pregnancy.  

amylianne

Oh the downside of Dr. Google. Remember what you're reading is worst case scenarios. I tested positive with my first, and so they pump some antibiotics into your IV along with the other fluids you get. Really not a big deal. I did, however, end up a C-section. Some of the downsides here: the baby isn't squeezed through the birth canal so they don't get the extra fluid out of their lungs. Thus, you have to pay attention to when they cough some up and get it out of their mouth so they don't choke on it. You're not eliminating the risk of the bacteria getting to them, and the chances that your surgery will end up infected are higher than natural birth. Finally, studies show your milk takes a bit longer to come in after a C-section. No matter which way you go there are pro's and con's.

lillyzmom

I know it seems scary but it's no big deal. I had it with my dd. I just had to get antibiotics in my iv when I was in labor and stayed a few extra days to make sure baby was good. No need for a c section unless you need one for other reasons.

awebsteWed218778

In my prenatal classes and in consulting with my OB when this topic was brought up, I was never led to believe that testing positive for GBS was a deal breaker for a vaginal birth, nor that a positive result consequently meant a c-section as the alternative. Antibiotics administered during delivery is all that is required to keep baby safe if a positive test is your result. Like some of the ladies have also said above, it was passed off as "not a big deal" if the test came back positive as there is a solution to prevent baby from contracting. 

Please discuss further with your doctor about your options, and more specifically why he/she is suggesting a c-section, before accepting a c-section as the default due to this result. Major abdominal surgery is something you are going to want to seriously think about before agreeing especially if the circumstances do not warrant it.

Vergiffen

I tested positive with DS1 and all it really means is that you need to be at the hospital early enough in your labour for them to start (and administer) a course of IV antibiotics. Ask for them to hep-lock your IV so that you can still get up and move around freely.

Savanna111911

I had my test last week and haven't heard back about he results. But I don't think I would opt for an elective c-section under this circumstance. My CNM has indicated that a positive result is really not a super huge deal. There are risks but if they know of it ahead of time and are able to start you on antibiotics during labor that drastically reduces any risk. That is why they test for these things ahead of time. At my hospital they also require the mother and baby to stay for the full 48 hours after delivery so they can continue to monitor the baby for any possible signs of infection.

If I were you I would just talk to my dr or midwife about what options are available to you and what they recommend. Stay away from Google for now (I am guilty of this too so no judgment!)

thesportsgal

You are probably reading about the handful of negative outcomes being strep b positive. In the grand scheme of things, it really is no big deal these days. The thought of an elective c section never even crossed my mind when I found out I was positive - and I don't think my doctor would have even done one because of that either.

I do not think opting for surgery is your best course of action after finding out you're positive.

Good luck.

breezymeema7

I've been positive for all 3 of my kids. I'm sure I will be this time too. It's no big deal, don't get yourself freaked out by it. Some IV antibiotics and you and baby are good to go. Speaking as someone who's had a c-section, I would NEVER elect to have one.

mrswiebe09

Like all pp's you will get antibiotics and things will be fine.
A c-section is no walk in the park, trust me. And there are actually quite a few drs and hospitals that do not do vbacs so your chances of having one with later children can go down drastically, especially if you move.
Funny thing I read about group b strep in a brochure given at my last OB appt is that you can test positive one week and negative the next.

leanne69

I am getting tested this week, but my doctor made it seem like it was no big deal AT ALL. Like get some IV antibiotics and you are good to go. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

saroos3137

I'm with everyone who says you'll be fine with the antibiotics. I tested negative with DS, but somehow ended up actually having it when I gave birth. They didn't know until after, and DS was absolutely fine, even without the antibiotics. (Not saying anyone should go without the antibiotics.)  This time around, they said they'll probably test me again closer to my due date to make sure my results don't change if it comes back negative the first time. If it is positive, I would not elect to have a c-section just for this reason.

hclzmm14

The only people that have horror stories with GBS are more than likely women who seek/receive absolutely no medical care for the entirety of their pregnancy. You'll get antibiotics and you can deliver vaginally. Didn't your doctor talk to you about this?

Robin910

mommysar said:

I'm with everyone who says you'll be fine with the antibiotics. I tested negative with DS, but somehow ended up actually having it when I gave birth. They didn't know until after, and DS was absolutely fine, even without the antibiotics. (Not saying anyone should go without the antibiotics.)  This time around, they said they'll probably test me again closer to my due date to make sure my results don't change if it comes back negative the first time. If it is positive, I would not elect to have a c-section just for this reason.

This ^^

My doc said even if you are positive and don't have the antibiotics the likelihood of you infecting the baby is super slim but they do the test and the antibiotics just to be super safe. Doc said most countries don't even test for it because the risk is so low.

pestona27

I tested negative with my DD last year and she somehow picked it up at 2 weeks old. The doctors were baffled and she was used as a case study. The only sign she displayed was that she stopped using her right arm.. It was a long and scary week of surgeries and IV antibiotics for her but she was totally cleared after a month bc we caught it when we did (though we will still see the orthopedic surgeon for checks once a year to make sure it hasn't affected her growth plate!)

That being said, my OB is bypassing the test this time around and giving me the antibiotics in labor and I'm still going for a vaginal birth unless medically necessary for other reasons! The chances are amazingly slim, and obviously anything can happen at any time anyway!

heath3er

Don't worry, I tested positive with my first and had antibiotics and a healthy boy. Also,don't go and rely on "dr. Google" that's what my Ob calls it. They all say it's not the truth, ask your dr of your worried. It's normal, women get it all the time.

emshredder

My next doctors appointment isn't till when I'll be 38 weeks pregnant and she hasn't mentioned the strep test once...

Gooblin

Had it with my last baby and opted to do a chlorhexadine douche instead of antibiotics. Supposed to do it beginning of labor and again before baby comes out. I hit transition and couldn't get up to do it again. Baby was fine. I'm hoping I don't test positive again because I feel like I should have been more proactive about it. Even though I was paralyzed from pain ( midwife said I had her fast enough the IV wouldn't have done much anyhow.

kedbach

Really no big deal. Since I went into labor the day after my group b swab was performed, they did not know the results yet, so I was given the penicillin as a precaution. It's nothing to worry about if you are gbs positive!

jessers74

I have tested positive as well. This is my 3rd pregnancy and have never had it before. I wouldn't opt for a c section just because of it. My doc has talked me through all risks and procedures. I am being induced tomorrow so we can ensure that I receive the antibiotics as required. Only thing I am nervous about is I have been told and read that it is penicillin that they give you. My son has my medicine allergies and I am nervous as my husband is severely allergic to penicillin (he stops breathing and heart stops) and worried about baby possibly having this allergy.

kat+1

I am allergic to penicillin and they have other drugs they can offer you should ask if they can use something else

Miz_Liz

@emilyshredder I would definitely ask about this ASAP - the swab should have been done around 36 weeks. Strep B can be very dangerous for the baby if you don't get the antibiotics, but as long as you get them (if needed ) it really is NBD. If I were you and I went into labor before being tested and receiving the results, I would demand the IV antibiotics to be safe.

Robyn+2

Hey. There are ways of getting rid of the bacteria so that you don't have to worry as much. You will still get the iv medication but you can still try to eliminate the bacteria leading up up to your birth(if you have time) . I was gas positive with my first and with this pregnancy my midwives told me to do some things to ensure I don't have it this time around as I really didn't want to labor again with an iv needle in my arm the whole time (very uncomfortable) .first purchase probiotics from the pharmacy, as well as eat plenty of Greek yogurt (these bacteria kill the gas bacteria)also keep extremely clean down down there (I use wet flushable wipes instead of toilet paper. I also crushed and ate fresh garlic everyday and twice a week actually inserted garlic into the vaginal overnight (you put needle and thread through the garlic so you have a string that you can pull it out with. You can look all this up online. Believe me it works and you will feel much better knowing you may have eliminated the problem. Better sade than sorry. Hope this helps

LEGALLYblonde86

I vaginally delivered my first born and was also positive for GBS. With the proper precautions taken (and everytime a new nurse walked in, I announced it to her because I didn't want any confusion), we had no complications from it. Just make sure you tell them when you get there and they will make sure you and baby are goid. C sections are riskier in my opinion and need way more recovery time.

sandrabrooke

I've never met anyone who has had issues with the GBS.  My sister had it, I have it.  It's just something that has to be treated and is really not a huge deal.  (even if its not treated, its not always a big deal!)