Group B Strep Positive

jnhuri

Let me start by apologizing for the long back story before getting to my question! I tested positive for Group B Strep at one of my first OB appointments and have known that I will need an antibiotic during delivery to protect LO. My OB assured me that this is no big deal so I am not particularly worried about this. However, since I am allergic to the penicillin family (usually the prescribed antibiotic for this), I have been working with my OB and Allergist over the last couple of weeks to see what antibiotic I will be prescribed during labor. The antibiotic they decided on has been described as using a grenade to kill a fly - so it is overkill but both my OB and Allergist do not want to risk mine or LO health. My question is have any STM+ have any experience with needing an antibiotic during delivery? If so, were you directed to get to the hospital early to get the antibiotics in yours and thus baby's system before labor? Lastly, were you admitted longer so baby can be monitored for signs of group B strep? I plan on bringing these up at my next appointment since I think I have a unique situation with the type of antibiotic I will be receiving but I would like to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation. Thank you in advanced!

parenthood4

I had it with both of my first two. They told me to come to the hospital as soon as I thought I was in labor, to get two doses of antibiotics that were four hours apart. They thought both labors would be pretty quick (and they were) so they didn't want me to waste any time.

But with both of them, I only had time to get one dose of the antibiotic. They wanted to keep us for a full 48 hours to monitor them, but not any longer than that. They weren't ever too worried about it, because they said the risk was higher with a longer birth of the baby was hanging out in the birth canal for awhile.

So I don't have a similar experience with not being able to have the antibiotic, but my doctors never made a huge deal over it.

Katherine8908

I had it with my son and I was induced so it might be a little different but they started the iv for it as soon as I got to the hospital just in case. The only thing that sucked was that it burned everytime they started a new bag of the antibiotic other than that no issues and no extra long hospital stay because of it we went home the day after he was born good luck !

Melodyags

I had it with my other 3. They gave me iv antibiotics as well. I didn't have to stay any longer in hospital because of it or go in early. I'm not sure what antbiotic they used after many years, but I'm not allergic to penicillin so was probably along those lines. Neither of us had any adverse affects from it.

vgirl33vb

I had Group B strep with my first pregnancy. I was given the antibiotic right before I was induced.  I had no problems with it. Of course I have it again.

jess9802

I was GBS+ with my first pregnancy, and as I recall the instructions were to go to the hospital immediately if my water broke so that the antibiotics could be started, but otherwise it was not necessary to go in before it was actually active labor. I ended up being induced and the antibiotics were started the night before while my cervix was being ripened. I don't know how many doses I did receive, but DS and I were discharged 24 hours after his birth.

mmoll1028

I am also allergic to PCN and was GBS+ with my first pregnancy (not with my second). We did not have to do anything out of the ordinary and did not have to stay in the hospital any longer than usual. If I remember correctly I was given vancomycin.

jnhuri

@mmoll1028 I'm pretty sure that I will be receiving the same antibiotic so thank you for letting me know everything went fairly normal  

MamaRoni

I just wanted to reassure you that PCN allergy is EXTREMELY common... please don't let your docs make you think otherwise. We see it every single day and I promise they didn't have to do major research to know to use vanco. It's very "routine"....
Also.... don't panic over the diagnosis either. It will all be fine