3rd Trimester

Fukc Me..I'm starting to not like pregnancy

My doctor diagnosed me today via a urine sample (which I always thought it was done via swabbing) with Strep B. I realize it's a common occurance, but he freaked me out since I have a pre-existing heart condition. He's worried that the infection can and will spread quickly to my heart. I'm like in panic mode. I have no idea what strep b is, I didn't ask questions when I was there because I only heard the bad things and was ready to cry, not to mention, I didn't think they would test for it until a few weeks down the road. I will call back tomorrow with questions, but for now, I'm left to google and I have a feeling it won't be a good idea!
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Re: Fukc Me..I'm starting to not like pregnancy

  • My doctor said they dont test, and my a swab, until 34-36 weeks.  I had mine last week.  My cousin had it, but they said she was just a carrier and it wouldnt affect her.  She just had to have 2 doeses of penisillin(sp) 4 hrs apart before she was allowed to deliver.
  • I just talked to my dr about this last week.  She doesn't test for it until 36 weeks.  I guess if you have a heart thing that's why they tested you early?  She told me it is a swab to check for a bacteria that easily develops in most women and that if you test positive for it, they just set you up with antibiotics when you go into labor to prevent it from getting into the baby. 

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  • I have not tested yet but I have heard that a positive is not that bad!  Obviously with your heart issues they may need to take other precautions but generally it means that you just need antibiotics during labor.  I am planning a home birth and we can still deliver at home if I test positive.

    Maybe do a bit of googling and then write down questions to call and ask your OB tomorrow- then you wont get so overwhelmed!

     

  • I actually work in a Microbiology lab diagnosing group B strep and I have to tell you that it is incredibly common in women. It is just normal vaginal flora for many women. Chances are that if he is diagnosing you from a urine sample, it grew out of a urine culture. While this again is common, if you have a heart condition, it could be dangerous if it becomes a UTI or a kidney infection.  Also, he is probably diagnosing you as GBS+ because the only place you can have normal flora GBS is in the rectum and the vagina. If you do have it, it is very easily and commonly treated with penicillin and erythromycin. Hope this makes you feel better.
  • I've never heard of Strep B being an issue for the carrier. 

    They test for it because it's present in 10-35% of women's vaginas/rectums and can cause lung infection in babies born vaginally.  They'll just give you anti-biotics every 4 hours through an IV when you are in labor.

    https://www.medicinenet.com/group_b_strep/article.htm

  • I didn't check back in last night, but wanted to thank you all for your responses. I've gotten good feedback thus far. I know it's totally normal for a woman to have it, I just went into panic mode when the doctor mentioned my heart, as I always do!!
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