Strep B

carlyhammond

I had the strep B test done last week.
This week my doctor tells me I'm Strep B positive.
I tried to google what it is, and it's not exactly clear as to what it is.
The only thing my doctor says is I need 8hrs of anti-biotics before baby is born.
(When labor starts I go to the hospital and immediately start 4hrs of antibiotics, when that is done, I'll start another 4hrs)

Anyone else?
It doesn't sound serious from what google says but, what is it?
How does one get it?

ShannyFann

To the best of my knowledge it's a bacteria that lives on the skin and is generally harmless to those with strong immune systems but they don't want baby to contract it while passing through on the way out since it can cause an infection hence the antibiotics. Ask your doctor for more thorough info because I am FAR from an medical expert.

ChrissyD1203

My understanding from the doctor was that it was just an infection (a common infection) which is no harm to you but could be harmful to baby if passed to baby during delivery--- but as long as they know about it (which they do for you) that it isn't a big deal because the antibiotics sufficiently protect baby. I haven't gotten my test results back yet, but if I have it, I am not going to worry about it - although sounds like the antibiotics are a pain in the butt!

carlyhammond

My doctor was supposed to get more information for me, but my brain let me leave without getting it... I remembered when I got back on the interstate and I wasn't about to turn around.
I asked her how I got it and she said it more or less came from the gut.
And out of 100 babies 3 can get sick
-meningitis
-pnenomia
(Something else)

She didn't seem too concerned about it, I just am curious as to HOW I got it..

I hope I can get all of the antibiotics in before the baby is born I don't want him to get sick...

stephaniearthurs

My doctor told me that one in three people have it. I still don't really know how it occurs but it's not a big deal!

carlyhammond

I've read the mayo clinics article about it on google, it doesn't sound serious.
The cause (how people get it) is unknown....

It's still a little scary

Rratledge

I'm lurking from D15 but I had it in my last pregnancy and I just found out I still do. My doctor said its just a bacteria that lives in the gut of some
people. It's not that a person who has it is unclean or has an STD or anything. I needed to be induced last time so they just started my antibiotics right away and my son was fine. It's something that is harmless to an adult but could cause serious illness for a baby if left untreated, from my understanding. My hospital requires mothers who are GBS positive and their babies stay at least 48 hours after delivery for observation, but they didn't seem concerned at all since I got plenty of antibiotics.

carlyhammond

Rratledge said:

I'm lurking from D15 but I had it in my last pregnancy and I just found out I still do. My doctor said its just a bacteria that lives in the gut of some
people. It's not that a person who has it is unclean or has an STD or anything. I needed to be induced last time so they just started my antibiotics right away and my son was fine. It's something that is harmless to an adult but could cause serious illness for a baby if left untreated, from my understanding. My hospital requires mothers who are GBS positive and their babies stay at least 48 hours after delivery for observation, but they didn't seem concerned at all since I got plenty of antibiotics.

Observation for what? Complications with antibiotics or just because?

Apthor02

My Ob told me it is normal bacteria found in tract of some women. Harmless to us but can cause harm to baby when delivered.

Rratledge

@carlyhammond I believe it was to ensure my son had not contracted it, but my induction took a long time and I got a ton of antibiotics before I delivered him so they weren't worried.

carlyhammond

Rratledge said:

@carlyhammond I believe it was to ensure my son had not contracted it, but my induction took a long time and I got a ton of antibiotics before I delivered him so they weren't worried.

OOOHH ok that makes sense. Thanks!
I'm already dialated to a 1 ( which means NOTHING with this being my first baby) so I'm worried that I won't make it to the hospital in time I get the full 8hrs of antibiotics I'll need before it's time to deliver.
But if course I'm sure that I'm over reacting

Kelley421

I was positive with baby #1 and delivered too quickly to make the second round of antibiotics. Baby was fine.
My sister was negative for #1 and positive for #2 four years later. Just happens and is just normal. We were told 50% of women are positive. There are tons of normal bacteria all over us. (Kinda gross when I think about it!)

alandaim

I was positive for group B strep for my first. I came in at 5 cm dialated with contractions 3-5 minutes apart and they easily got all of the antibiotics in before I delivered. They didn't say anything about keeping us a longer period of time to monitor. It seems pretty common from people I know. I never was very worried because the doctors said it was so common.

claireloSC

It's totally normal and not harmful to you at all. Don't worry too much about not making it to the hospital in time. The main thing is going as soon as your water breaks. If you have contractions you should be fine, as first time moms usually labor for 12-24 hours so you will have time to get to hospital. Once water breaks he is no longer protected from germs in his sac, so that's why they want you to come in and get antibiotics at that point, even if your contractions aren't that close together yet. The most important thing is knowing you have it ahead of time so don't worry you are well prepared now that you know!

ainverso

Very common to test positive. Antibiotics are to protect baby. Worst case They put baby on an antibiotic after birth if you didn't get enough time before delivery to have the antibiotic .

failuretofly

carlyhammond said:

Rratledge said:

@carlyhammond I believe it was to ensure my son had not contracted it, but my induction took a long time and I got a ton of antibiotics before I delivered him so they weren't worried.

OOOHH ok that makes sense. Thanks!
I'm already dialated to a 1 ( which means NOTHING with this being my first baby) so I'm worried that I won't make it to the hospital in time I get the full 8hrs of antibiotics I'll need before it's time to deliver.
But if course I'm sure that I'm over reacting

I don't think you quite understand how antibiotics work. You won't be given a continuous infusion of antibiotics for 8 hours, they want the antibiotics given 8 hours prior to delivery to give them adequate time to work before babe passes through the birth canal where the bacteria live.

lemomof5

I've had this with my last three and have it again with this one. I was told with DD2 that we had to stay a full 48 hrs after birth to ensure she was okay, which she was. With DD3 they released me at 24 hours after because they needed the beds. They did say it was not a concern cuz I had Meds at least 4 hours prior to giving birth. Mall hospitals I've been at have given a dose of Meds every 4 hours during labor to ensure adequate protection. Just tell them if it's burning where your IV is to have them slow down how fast it's going it. If the med goes in too fast it can cause a burning sensation in you arm. If they slow down the burning will stop.

carlyhammond

kvacmak said:

carlyhammond said:

Rratledge said:

@carlyhammond I believe it was to ensure my son had not contracted it, but my induction took a long time and I got a ton of antibiotics before I delivered him so they weren't worried.

OOOHH ok that makes sense. Thanks!
I'm already dialated to a 1 ( which means NOTHING with this being my first baby) so I'm worried that I won't make it to the hospital in time I get the full 8hrs of antibiotics I'll need before it's time to deliver.
But if course I'm sure that I'm over reacting

I don't think you quite understand how antibiotics work. You won't be given a continuous infusion of antibiotics for 8 hours, they want the antibiotics given 8 hours prior to delivery to give them adequate time to work before babe passes through the birth canal where the bacteria live.

I may have misunderstood, but, I'm 98% positive my doctor said two 4hr doses before baby is born...

mamajenna_cnm

Group B Strep is a type of bacteria that grows on our skin and in our intestines. Everyone has it growing actively at some point or another, just some women have it actively at 35-37 weeks gestation and some don't. There is not a clear reason as to why that is. It has been shown that women can be positive at 34 weeks, and retested negative at 39 weeks. There is just no research that tells us exactly why That happens - it is not related to hygiene or sex. Since group b strep can affect babies guts, lungs, and eyes, women are given IV antibiotics every 4 hours until they deliver. Most hospitals start with a loading dose of penicillin that runs over an hour. In 4 hours, they will receive a subsequent dose, usually less amount, and then in another 4 hours another dose, and so on, until delivery. The antibiotics are crossed through the placenta to protect baby as he/she passes through the vsgina and is exposed to the bacteria. If for some reason, mom isn't covered AT LEAST two doses of antibiotics, baby usually will have to stay for 48 hours before being discharged home. During this time, baby will have what's called a septic work up. This includes blood work and a course of antibiotics, and sometimes iv fluids. The baby can still be with mom and breastfeed and such...but it's just a way that the pediatricians can make sure the baby has not become infected with the bacteria, as complications from group b strep can be serious if the baby is effected. Another reason the baby might have to stay is if your water has been broken for a prolonged period of time (some hospitals it's 18hrs, most it's 24hrs). Even if you're GBS positive and you've been covered with antibiotics, a lot of pediatricians will monitor Babies for 48 hours for a prolonged rupture of membranes, and do a septic work up just the same as I mentioned above. I am a nurse midwife, so I figured I would give everyone accurate information about this process, as it can be very confusing and scary. I hope this helps!

ChrissyD1203

Thanks @tgrdance05 that's so helpful!!!!

BBEA2006

When did you OB's check for this?  Week 35?  My 35 week appointment is next week and was thinking that was when they check but couldn't exactly remember.  

kimber308

Online it says between 35-37 weeks. Mine was scheduled for my 35 week appointment, but the doctor was busy and said they still had time to do it in the following weeks.

carlyhammond

@tgrdance05 oh my!! Thank you so much for the information. It really makes things clearer.

@BBEA2006 I had mine done at 35 weeks, but it can be done between 35-37 weeks.
My doctor informed me the appointment before my 35weeks be prepared - we need to do this test.

acastl24

When my cousin had her baby and tested positive, it was 2 4-hour continuous drips. It wasn't just one shot every four hours...