GBS+ Question

sweetpea814 · May 2013

I'm nearing the end of my twin pregnancy, and have just found out that I'm GBS+ and will need the IV antibiotics during labor.

I was GBS+ with DS1, and even though I intended on having a natural birth, I ended up being induced and wound up with a birthing experience I didn't want (pitocin, crazy awful contractions, epi at only 4cm, IV with antibiotics, and most of the time there spent in the hospital bed instead of being able to walk during labor). Total time in labor: 8 hours.

With DS2, I was not GBS+ and had the most amazing natural birth. No IV (just a heplock), no IV antibiotics, showed up at the hospital at 5cm, only two internal checks the whole time, my nurse was wonderful and let me labor however I wanted, and delivered only 1.5 hours after arriving at the hospital. Total time in labor: 5 hours.

This time around, I'm pregnant with twins and I'm GBS+ again (darn!). I'm worried though - what if my labor is short again, like last time, or even shorter? What if I don't make it to the hospital in time to receive all the doses of antibiotics, or to even receive the FIRST dose? My water doesn't tend to break until I'm ready to push/pushing, so I don't usually have any true tell-tale signs that labor is beginning - my contractions last time just started, and came on quickly. By the time I realized I was actually in labor, we called my OB, called my mom to come over for DS1, headed to the hospital, and then had the baby 1.5 hours later. Thank goodness I wasn't GBS+ that time, because I would have barely been able to get any antibiotics in me in that amount of time. What if it's that way again this time, when I actually am GBS+? What happens if I don't get the antibiotics in time? I'm so worried for how it would affect the babies.

Of course, I'll be asking my OB about this, but I don't see them again until next week (if I even make it that far). I'm wondering if anyone's been through this, or knows about this. I'm also thinking of calling my OB's office tomorrow and speaking with the nurse about my concern, but I'd like to hear from you ladies too (since I just found out and my OB's office isn't open anymore today).

Thanks!

ChristyML · May 2013

I was GBS+ as well, and I asked what the risks are (just in case). I don't remember the exact numbers, but with the IV it was something like 3% of babies don't have problems, while if you don't have an IV it's significantly higher (sorry I don't remember the numbers). I have heard on the bump that some women opt out of the IV and their babies were okay. Not saying that all babies turn out fine, just from what I've heard from other mothers.

Aurora_Borealis · May 2013

I was GBS+ with DD and did not get antibiotics.

I am penicillin-allergic and the alternative drug that was suitable for the strain of GBS I had requires infusions 8 hours apart instead of the regular 4 hours. My labor in its entirety was less than 10 hours and I only spent the last 90 minutes of it at the hospital.

My water did not break until my midwife did it about 20 minutes before DD was born, so she was protected during my labor. The pedi at the hospital was aware that I was GBS+ and did not receive any medications (and that DD was fully enclosed in the amniotic sac for the majority of labor) and simply monitored DD for any problems. There were no issues. DD is 15 months old and totally healthy.

I would have a frank discussion with your provider about your history of precipitous labor as well as the fact that your water typically hasn't broken early and come up with a game plan for this labor.

Haley.Beth · May 2013

This is definitely something to discuss with your OB, but I recently found an article that discusses GBS that I found very informative:

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/groupbstrep/

Ultimately, either you'll have time for antibiotics or you won't. This article mentions that infants born to mothers with untreated GBS are only at a 2-3% risk for developing a serious infection that requires NICU time. It also mentions a lot of risk factors for a severe GBS infection in newborns, including preterm labor, uterine infection, and the water being ruptured for more than 18 hours. Also, keep in mind that just because you tested positive for GBS doesn't mean you will still be colonized at the time of labor!

Mrs.AmyDylan · May 2013

Your OB will have their official answer. However, as a Natural birthing, GBS+ mama, I was told that the risk to the baby/babies occurs when the amniotic sac ruptures. If your water is intact, there is no danger. Being GBS+ will typically mean you will need to go to the hospital when your water breaks, even if you haven't started contracting. if your water stays intact until you are pushing, they may give you a shot as you are being admitted. Good luck!

mrs.JL · May 2013

I agree with PP to have a more indepth discussion with your OB about being GBS . Also do research on using garlic vaginally and tea tree oil as a wash too kill the bacteria. Try that and ask to be retested.

vcabbyw · May 2013

There is only so much you can control when it comes time, don't spend too much time worrying about something that can only be decided in the moment. And everyone says that every birth is different, your body won't necessarily behave in the same manner as your first or second labor. Ask your OB on their policy of unhooking the IV after each dose to give you more freedom during labor.

If you can get one dose of antibiotics it is said to be better then none. But I don't know the stats on this.

To keep things in perspective, keep in mind that the risk of GBS disease for newborns if GBS+ is said to be .5% (or 5.1 per 1000 births) per the CDC. It is such a slim chance. But, it seems like there are so many different statistics depending on where you check.

There are a few things that seem to increase the risk of the disease such as preterm labor, water being broken for 18+, fever, or urinary tract infections with GBS. So even more reason to try to keep those babies inside as long as possible, and luckily you have a history of your waters staying intact!

If you don't get the full doses, it sounds like they will just do more observation, extra labs or start antibiotics at any sign of infection. Keep in mind too that a con of having antibiotics is that it can kill off good gut flora for you and your newborns, and increases the chance of yeast infections (thrush, etc). Any time I take antibiotics, I pair it with a good pro-biotic.

Obviously talk it out with your doctor, but it sounds like you are doing everything you should be doing... and to not worry yourself too much!!

abell77 · May 2013

I was GBS+ with my last child, and my labor was fast, 3.5 hours start to finish. I arrived at the hospital fully dilated and ready to push. There was no time for antibiotics. My water did not break until I started pushing and I only pushed 5 or 6 times, so the period of time where my son was exposed to the bacteria was brief. They just kept us 48 hours to monitor for any signs of infection. That was it.

KrisM86 · May 2013

I was GBS positive with my son. My entire labor was only 6 hours long and by the time I got to my birth center and had the IV antibiotics administered, I have birth an hour later. His chances of contracting GBS were pretty low since I'd had one round of antibiotics and my water had only been broken for 3 hours before he was born and he was born in the water. He was checked out and we were given signs to watch out for but he was just fine.

jellybeanjean · May 2013

Standard protocol at the hospital that I work at is if you don't complete all your doses of antibiotics, then you stay 48hrs, baby has vitals taken more often, and one extra set of labs for baby. That's it. Don't stress about it...hope your labor goes well!

BelhurstBride · May 2013

I was just talking to a friend about this this morning and she recommended a product to me. Now, I've done zero research on it yet nor have I discussed it with my doctor. I literally just learned about it, but thought I'd pass it on for you to research, too.

https://www.drmomma.org/2009/09/chlorhexidine-hibiclens-protocol-for.html

katie6/26/04 · May 2013

I was not GBS+ but asked about this prior to the test because I was expecting short labor. I was told we would be monitored for 48 hrs and that was about it.

alphahelix · May 2013

I was GBS+ and did not get both doses of antibiotics because I labored at home for a long time and was only at the hospital for about 3.5 hours before DD was born.

We were kept at the hospital for ~48 hours after delivery to monitor LO and she had a few extra checks, but it was no big deal. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

StefandTodd · May 2013

With my first, I arrived at the hospital 3 or so hours before he was born. We stayed 48 hours.

My second was a home birth, we didn't even bother to check for GBS...just assumed positive and monitored him closely after birth the same as my first when I also didn't have abx. They were both 100% healthy.

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