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August 2011 Moms
Membrane stripped and GBS Positive at 39 weeks..
I had my membrane stripped on Tuesday at my appointment I was 38 weeks and about 6 days. I am also 4cm dilated and 75% effaced. My doctor had asked me if I wanted her to do it and I said yes because I've already gone in for false labor twice in the past two weeks. On top of that the other two doctors from last week told me I wouldn't even be here this week! So I'm a little anxious although my due date is not till August 17th. Anyways, I haven't felt anything since my membrane has been strip besides wiping away nasty mucus plug all the time. Sometimes its clear and gooey and other times it'll be light pink or brown. I've also completely stop having BH since my last false labor on Saturday night.In the middle of the night out of curiosity I research if I'm supposed to be losing my mucus plug like crazy after a membrane strip and started to find out about how its not recommended for you to have your membrane stripped if you are GBS positive. (which I am) Its been totally freaking me out and I can't sleep thinking I could be developing an infection for myself and my baby. So my question is has anyone ever have their membrane strip and was GBS positive and what was the outcome?
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Re: Membrane stripped and GBS Positive at 39 weeks..
I could be completely wrong, but I think as long as your water is still intact your baby will be fine. It's after your water breaks that the bacteria can reach them. That's why if your water breaks and you're GBS+ you have to go to L&D so they can start antibiotics.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
This is also my understanding... but, I'm also willing to stand corrected if someone else has more information.
That's what I thought too. And so the reason you shouldn't have your membranes stripped if you are GBS+ is that it increases the chances of your water breaking prematurely. Once your water breaks, you have to go in for the antibiotics and that generally puts you on a clock. Many doctors want you to deliver within 24 hours of your water breaking. So if your body isn't ready to go into labor, you will have to be induced/augmented and if that doesn't work, you'll need a c-section.
ETA: It may also introduce bacteria from the vaginal area into the area where the baby is, but I'm not sure. (Like the bacteria will be sitting there waiting for the baby when the water breaks? IDK.) I know that once your water breaks, you should have as few internal exams as possible and especially if GBS+ to reduce the chance of infecting the baby.
I'm GBS+ and my OB said yesterday that she'd be happy to strip my membranes at my 40 week appt if I want her to (I don't).
If your water breaks at all, GBS+ or not, you are technically supposed to go to the hospital (if labor doesn't begin on it's own) to get pitocin b/c of the "risk of infection" after 24 hours, etc.
My doctor said my being GBS+ does not affect when I should get to the hospital as in all likelihood, laboring at home for as long as possible will still leave me with the required 4 hours at the hospital for them to push 2 doses of antibiotics. She did say that if my water broke, I should head to the hospital, but she was very clear that this is what she would tell me to do if I was GBS- too!!
I would avoid membrane stripping b/c of the risk of rupture of membranes regardless of GBS status just because if your membranes rupture and labor doesn't begin, you are supposed to go to the hospital for induction. No thanks.