Strep B test w/ c-section

lisak831

For some reason I thought that Strep B could only be passed through vaginal delivery, but my doctor told me today that they would be testing me for Strep B "even though I am having a c-section". Has anyone else had this experience or explain to me why I would need to be tested? Perhaps I am wrong as to how Strep B is passed.

MeanMommyLady

They need to test you for group b strep because there is always the possibility that your water will break before your scheduled c-section, there is a very slight possibility that group b strep can be passed during a c-section, when your water breaks prior to a c-section that possibility increases (although it is still very slight).

jps85

They test you just in case your water was to break.

PrincessJesci

From the Bump Experts. 

 

About 10-30 percent of pregnant women are carrying a bacterium called group B streptococcus (GBS). (Most have never had symptoms from it and don?t know it?s in there.) If do have the GBS bacteria floating around in your body (usually in your reproductive or digestive tracts) and aren?t aware, it can be passed on to your child during delivery, possibly leading to serious illness in baby?s first weeks of life.

Don?t get too freaked out -- most babies won?t contract any problems from the bacteria, but some do wind up with very serious disorders or disabilities. If the bacteria is found on those swabs, you?ll be treated with antibiotics to help keep baby in the clear. Every woman should get tested between weeks 35 and 37 of pregnancy, so ask your doc about the test if she hasn?t mentioned it. Newborns aren?t exposed to GBS during c-sections, meaning no antibiotics are needed for planned cesareans -- but, you should still get tested in case you go into preterm labor.

As for the testing, here?s how it goes: Your doc will swab your vagina and rectum to get samples, which will then be sent over to lab to be grown in a special substance to check for the presence of GBS. You?ll probably get your results within two days. It?s as easy as that. Not fun, per se, but simple -- and essential to protect baby.

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. Your pregnancy and birth. 4th ed. Washington, DC: ACOG; 2005.

lisak831

That makes sense. Thank you!

KRB8

jps85:

They test you just in case your water was to break.

This is how it was explained to me. I'm positive for Group B.

Jen_3334

I was going to have a planned c-section around 38-39 weeks, but my water ended up breaking at 35 weeks.  Luckily I had just been tested and found out I was positive for GBS, so I'm not sure if they gave me antibiotics, but they did tell me that I was positive....  I would get the test - better safe than sorry!

BearsMrs

Just in case you come into the hospital in labor & actually end up giving birth.  It's best they have all the info on you just in case anything happens.