Group B Strep Positive?

TJ1979 · April 2014

Was anyone here positive? I wasn't last time, but am this time. I was really disappointed bc my OB was saying that meant mandatory IV for 2 rounds of antibiotics during labor and also mandatory pitocin if I'm not progressing quickly enough bc the baby could get sepsis.
Obv I'm going to do whatever is best for my baby. But last time I had a beautiful med and intervention free natural birth. And I was hoping for that again. Has anyone ever heard of pitocin due to strep B?

kmc84 · April 2014

I was positive. What that meant for me was going to the hospital after my water broke and getting an initial round of antibiotics, and then another dose every 6 hours until she was delivered. They did not say anything about using pitocin to speed anything up. Quite frankly, that sounds like a bunch of bull. They are already giving you the antibiotics so LO doesn't contract it.

Don't let the IV antibiotics get you down. There is no reason they can't give you the antibiotics and unhook your IV when it's done. The antibiotics should only take 15-30 minutes to infuse. I would flat out refuse the pitocin if that's the reason they gave.

Whales124 · April 2014

I was positive and did end up with pitocin, but I think that was because my MFM was super cautious. I think he was more worried I wouldn't progress due to my cerclage, which was true because I pushed that baby out at only 8cm dialated. G*d I love epidurals!

Robeano · April 2014

My sister was positive for one of her pregnancies and she had a home birth. They just hooked up the IV to the bed, let it run it's course and then she labored just like normal.

JBDamonM · April 2014

I was positive. I can't even remember exactly what it meant for me. 4 hours of an IV maybe? I barely remember but I know I was progressing so quickly there was concern I wouldn't labor long enough for a complete cycle of meds. Pit was never ever mentioned to me - I've never heard of such a thing.

TJ1979 · April 2014

Thanks ladies. I had never heard of pitocin bc of being +. I'm glad to hear y'all haven't either. I am not afraid to say no as long as it's a safe choice. Sounds like it is as long as I get my antibiotics.

CarrieB. · April 2014

I was strep B positive for both. What it means is that if your water breaks, you need to go in right away. No laboring at home.

I ended up on pitocin both times. First time because my water broke and I never really went into labor and the second time because I was 5 days overdue and got induced.

Yes, pitocin sucks, but if you end up on it, try not to stress. What's really important is that cute baby you get to take home.

Mrs.AmyDylan · April 2014

I was with J. I had a med-free water birth. My water broke 31 hr before J arrived. The medication they used was an 8h dose. No pitocin involved. I went home between doses until I was actively in labor and 27h into the broken water. Ask lots of questions and get clarity before letting them pit you.

Saraevh · April 2014

I was positive with my middle baby, but not with my other two. As soon as I showed up in labor they gave me a dose of antibiotics through my IV. I can't remember if I ever got a second dose or not, but I never had a drop of Pit.

When I researched it after I tested positive I remember watching a video on BabyCenter of a woman who had GBS and went on to have a med free birth at a birthing center. If I remember correctly she had a saline lock put in place and was only hooked up for the 20-30 minutes for the actual antibiotic. No biggie :-) You got this!

srveatch · April 2014

I was positive and my Dr just told me I would need the antibiotics. I did end up on Pitocin because I was induced. I had A in three hours so we did not complete the meds. If I test positive this time they know to start them right away.

e74 · April 2014

I was positive for both pregnancies and needed antibiotics... No one said anything about pictocin though...

BabyKsMommy · April 2014

Yep I was positive for ds. I needed 2 rounds of antibiotics before I delivered. Each dose took 2 hrs. They never mentioned pitocin.

byrne15 · April 2014

I was neg with my 1st but positive with my 2nd. I hadn't heard the relationship with Pitocin though.

TJ1979 · April 2014

Thank you so much ladies! This is great news. Especially you @mrs.amydylan! You are my hero.

Mrs.AmyDylan · April 2014

TJ1979 said:

Thank you so much ladies! This is great news. Especially you @mrs.amydylan! You are my hero.

Awww! You got this, hon! The hospital is very likely going to require you to have a saline lock, but you can insist that they unhook it after antibiotics.

If you do some reading, there are some natural ways to fight hep b. I was in the middle of trying the home remedies. My MW said we could retest at 38w, but my water broke instead. However, before you go that route, make sure they will allow you to retest.

TJ1979 · April 2014

@Ducky719‌ You did a pain med free birth with pitocin? You are another hero! Thanks for sharing your story.

amandaleigh1 · April 2014

Sorry that you are GBS pos. I think you can get a saline lock to get the iv antibiotic so at least you don't have to be hooked up the whole time. And if your water isn't broken, there should be no need for pitocin, I think. I would do more research for this and see if you can find a good plan to use with your OB.

imoverit · April 2014

Definitely get the antibiotics either way because a friend of mine actually tested neg at 35 weeks so she didnt have antibiotics and ended up she became pos right before delivery and passed it on to baby. She had her DS home for a day before having to be in the nicu a month. He had to be on antibiotics for 21 days and even had some issues that came up on his mri because of the strep b infection. scary stuff. Also they can do a rapid test in the hospital but it is not nearly as reliable as having it tested ahead of time to let the culture grow. GL. Hope you will not need pit.

itsmevkb · April 2014

Do you think your doctor meant pitocin if your water breaks and then you aren't progressing vs just not progressing?

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