Group B Strep Positive - Concerned about staying relaxed with the IV

Daffodil417 · March 2012

Hello everyone,

I am an occassional poster but like to lurk, especially on this board, as I am planning a med-free waterbirth at a hospital birth center with a CNM and doula. I've learned a lot from many of you on this board and heard some wonderful, inspiring stories, so first of all, thank you for that! DH and I took a hypnobirthing course and as we've practiced, I've become more and more confident in my ability to stay focused and manage the pain during labor through the exercises etc.

However...I just found out I tested positive for Group B Strep, which as I understand it, means I will need to receive antibiotics through IV every 4 hours. I don't do well with needles AT ALL. I am now extremely concerned about staying relaxed when I know I have to have an IV inserted every 4 hours. The midwife said I can still do the waterbirth because the IV doesn't need to be in at all times, but in some ways it might be better to just have it done once so I don't have to think about it again. I'm not sure how much that will restrict my mobility and freedom to reposition/walk around though.

I have an appointment next week and will be able to address some of these concerns then, but in the mean time, it would be great to have some encouragement to think about over the weekend rather than just my fears.

So, I guess I'm wondering if any of you had a similar situation (complete with the needle panic) and still were able to stay relaxed enough to labor and deliver without meds and/or other interventions successfully.

Thanks everyone!

august8080 · March 2012

They actually won't need to insert a needle every 4 hours. They'll put a hep lock in when you get there and then every 4 hours, put the medicine in through that, so you'll only have the initial insertion of the IV when you get there. Once it's in, you can't feel it at all.

Sort of related, I was really fearful about the transition from home to hospital killing my focus and state of relaxation--home to car, car to check-in, check-in procedures, etc etc. It was totally NO big deal on the day of. I was able to stay completely relaxed and focused even while talking to the nurses. You'll do fine!!

seraphiclust · March 2012

Like PP said it should only be a one time thing in regards to being stuck with the needle when they put in a hep-lock. I tested positive before my DD and had to do the whole hep-lock thing myself. It was a pain but it didn't change my ability to get the pain med-free birth I had hoped for (I used Hypnobabies). I only had to have it twice, once when I got into the hospital and again 4 hours later. It only took 15 minutes to get the meds in each time - no biggie!

ncjulia12 · March 2012

august8080:
They actually won't need to insert a needle every 4 hours. They'll put a hep lock in when you get there and then every 4 hours, put the medicine in through that, so you'll only have the initial insertion of the IV when you get there. Once it's in, you can't feel it at all.

This! It's kind of a hassle, but shouldn't be that bad. I'm not as worried about the needle, but just am concerned about the timing since I want to labor at home as long as possible- instead of worrying about going in to the hospital 4 hours before the birth- which will be impossible to pinpoint. Since you'll be at a birth centering though that shouldn't be an issue.

Good luck!

RockyMtnMama · March 2012

Also talk with your midwife/OB about other alternatives to IV antibiotics. There are some options I found out with my second. You can get a shot of antibiotics - quick in your leg and then go about on your own. In the hospital birth centers they just like to have that hep-lock/IV in place just in case for hydration/saline too.

I think you can even have antibiotics before the birth to deal with this...I was going to do this, but ended up missing all antibiotics with my second (and was GBS+) since he came quickly at 37 weeks. It's worth talking to your care provider about your concerns and other options.

Also, I think it's something like less than 1% of babies that are born to women with GBS+ tests get GBS, so make sure you ask your doctor about the risks.

StefandTodd · March 2012

RockyMtnMama:
Also talk with your midwife/OB about other alternatives to IV antibiotics. There are some options I found out with my second. You can get a shot of antibiotics - quick in your leg and then go about on your own. In the hospital birth centers they just like to have that hep-lock/IV in place just in case for hydration/saline too.

I think you can even have antibiotics before the birth to deal with this...I was going to do this, but ended up missing all antibiotics with my second (and was GBS+) since he came quickly at 37 weeks. It's worth talking to your care provider about your concerns and other options.

Also, I think it's something like less than 1% of babies that are born to women with GBS+ tests get GBS, so make sure you ask your doctor about the risks.

All of this. You do have options and I would research you actual risk and do what makes you feel most comfortable. My LO came too quickly for me to get the antibiotics, and looking back I'm glad I didn't get them. I'll be doing what I can to have a negative test for future pregnancies and there's a good chance I would still decline if positive again anyway.

Good luck to you. I know that many women have wonderful natural births while GBS+, with and without the needle and the antibiotics. I'm sure you'll do amazing.

Daffodil417 · March 2012

Thank you so much, ladies! These responses have definitely encouraged me, and I will certainly discuss the options you all mentioned with my midwife next week. I will have a much more positive weekend now; thanks again!

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