GBS + and retest?

sarahintx05

I found out today that my GBS results came back as positive.  I really don't want to do everything that comes along with the standard treatment protocol.  My midwife says I can do a retest at 39 weeks and if it's negative, we would go with that result.  Has anyone tested positive and then subsequently tested negative? 

barnwife

No. With J. I was positive. I tried Hibiclens (spelling?) and then was retested and still positive.

After much research and discussion with DH, I decided to decline antibiotics. To us, after our research which included talking to my midwife, it seemed crazy to treat all GBS+ with them when only a very small percentage have issues. Especially given what we know about things becoming resistant to antibiotics. Also there is the fact that just because you are positive ahead of time does not mean you are definitely positive at delivery. (Nor does being negative mean you are still negative weeks later.)

That being said, it's something to discuss with your care provider if you are retested and still GBS+.

Uiowachick01

I tested positive this time around, it upset me at first knowing I'd have to got to the hospital earlier than I wanted. My doctor let me up my probiotics and gave me antibiotics that I have just finished taking so that the hospital can not say anything, and I can go in a little later as I planned.  He would like me to get the the hospital by 5-6cm.  We are going to do the iv antibiotics but I will have them done rapid during my monitoring so I can still just have a hep-loc.  

pdilly2b

Don't have experience with the retest, but I was GBS+ and after going back and forth about getting the antibiotics in labor, I did decide to get them through my hep lock (and then drink a lot of kefir after I got home from the hospital to replenish the good bacteria).  I stayed at home as long as I'd planned to anyway so didn't let the GBS+ affect that.  I had a 36 hr labor though with 14 of that in the hospital so I had plenty of time for the multiple doses anyway.  I guess there's no harm in retesting.  If it's negative, then great, but if it's still positive, it's not that bad.

laurieb602

Me! I tested positive the first time. Did hibiclens douche 3 times every other day, retested a week later and was negative.

zaramarie81

I will likely test positive for GBS. After my initial frustrations with this, I honestly am at peace with just going to the hospital a little earlier and getting the necessary doses before transition. I have a very supportive doula and a great OB, and I think those are two key ingredients to navigating a situation like this.

It's a personal choice, but when given the option, I'd rather reduce the risks to my baby for contracting it (and also my own risks for uterine infection - I have a sister who has now suffered from two uterine infections post-delivery thanks to poorly treated GBS). Of course, in the meantime I am taking really good care of myself and starting back up with the probiotics. I am so rarely on antibiotics anyway, that I am not concerned with overuse in my situation either.