What do you know about Strep B?

ladylisalt · August 2014

So my test came back positive for Step B. The doc went over the basics with me and I have been reading up on it but is there anything I should know that no one told you at first? I am hoping everything goes smoothly but just curious of others experiences.

Mally2011 · August 2014

It isn't that complicated, it is a bacteria that lives on the skin and GI tract and while it isn't an issue for you, it can cause life threatening infection in neonates. ACOG recommends universal screening for all pregnant women. You will need IV antibiotics while in labor.

heie0008 · August 2014

I was positive with Strep B with my first and I got I think 3 bags of antibiotics while in labor. I'm positive again this time so I'll get antibiotics again. Not too big of a deal.

ladylisalt · August 2014

shauna813 said:

All my midwife said is if my test comes back positive, they'll put me on antibiotics during labor. They made it seem pretty underwhelming so I'm not worried.

This is kind of how I feel but just wanted to be sure.

Monicagail1 · August 2014

The antibiotics they gave me via iv BURNED!!!! It was almost as bad as the contractions!

thegoodpotato · August 2014

My sister had it with her second. Her labour was so fast they didn't have time for the meds. She had to stay an extra few nights in the hospital to make sure baby was ok before they left.

ladylisalt · August 2014

thegoodpotato said:

My sister had it with her second. Her labour was so fast they didn't have time for the meds. She had to stay an extra few nights in the hospital to make sure baby was ok before they left.

This is exactly the stuff I need to know. I am sure my OB is not going to come out and mention this to me to make me nervous so I appreciate you sharing.

ladylisalt · August 2014

Monicagail1 said:

The antibiotics they gave me via iv BURNED!!!! It was almost as bad as the contractions!

huh? that does not sound good. good to know though.

heie0008 · August 2014

Oh yeah, it did burn going in. Make sure it's not being run too fast in your IV

onelilroo · August 2014

My friend tested positive for group b strep, and didn't get to the hospital in time for antibiotics... This is a total horror story and I'm not trying to scare you, but her son got meningitis just before he was a month old. Apparently group B strep is the leading cause of meningitis in newborns. They got him to the hospital right away, and he's OK now, but it could've been a lot worse. So make sure you go in to the hospital in the beginning of your labor!!

ladylisalt · August 2014

onelilroo said:

My friend tested positive for group b strep, and didn't get to the hospital in time for antibiotics... This is a total horror story and I'm not trying to scare you, but her son got meningitis just before he was a month old. Apparently group B strep is the leading cause of meningitis in newborns. They got him to the hospital right away, and he's OK now, but it could've been a lot worse. So make sure you go in to the hospital in the beginning of your labor!!

I appreciate the honesty, I actually read about how it can cause pneumonia or meningitis for baby. After posting this I feel like I received a lot of good info. that will help me ask more questions this week at my dr.'s appt.

jessicainkentucky · August 2014

Thank you for asking, my test also came back GBS+ this morning. The internet is scary and I haven't yet talked to my doctor about it in detail. I'm wondering how this may affect my plans for a natural birth and delivery- seeing as I will be hooked up to an IV for a good portion of the time I will be in the hospital. I originally planned on laboring at home as long as I could but I don't want to take that chance if my water breaks. Lots of questions for my doctor!

StefanyaMarie · August 2014

I tested positive with my first and was told that I needed IV antibiotics while in labor and that everything would be normal. Will, they needed to give me antibiotics for 6 hours and my little guy wasn't waiting that long. Since we only got about 3 hours of it, they decided to keep us in the hospital for an extra day to make sure he didn't get it. I had him a little before 1pm on Friday and we went home Sunday afternoon without any issues. I wouldn't be too concerned. Now that the hospital knows you are positive, they will take the steps needed to protect your LO.

rae_dylanzmom · August 2014

I was so far overdue that I had to have the test redone. Results are only good for 4 or 5 weeks, I forget which (and maybe it varies by hospital).

Then when I was in the hospital, the results of my new test weren't back yet (or maybe they never asked... I was a home birth transfer, and they were pretty shitty to me when I was admitted)... and they gave me the antibiotics anyway.

Moral: make sure your results are current. I think this is only a problem if you go way over your due date.

ladylisalt · August 2014

rae_dylanzmom said:

I was so far overdue that I had to have the test redone. Results are only good for 4 or 5 weeks, I forget which (and maybe it varies by hospital).

Then when I was in the hospital, the results of my new test weren't back yet (or maybe they never asked... I was a home birth transfer, and they were pretty shitty to me when I was admitted)... and they gave me the antibiotics anyway.

Moral: make sure your results are current. I think this is only a problem if you go way over your due date.

good to know. Sorry you had a crappy experience

wildflower75 · August 2014

I had it with my first pregnancy and it wasn't a big deal at all. My legs were swollen from the IV fluids (I was admitted at 10 AM and didn't deliver (via CS) until 1:34 AM the next day). I will say make sure you go to the hospital as soon as your water breaks; don't wait for contractions! Other than that it will probably be uneventful.

LittleLady6 · August 2014

Mally2011 said:

It isn't that complicated, it is a bacteria that lives on the skin and GI tract and while it isn't an issue for you, it can cause life threatening infection in neonates. ACOG recommends universal screening for all pregnant women. You will need IV antibiotics while in labor.

This. AND how long you will be on antibiotic all depends on the kind you are given. Most penicillin antibiotics take 4hrs while others (if your allergic) can take 8hrs. Like others stated if you have your baby before the antibiotics are done you will more than likely be held another day. Also as with any IV fluid swelling may occur. The reason for the burning can vary. Most of the time it will be from needle placement, the flow of the IV or the tubing.

Oh! Another thing to know is that Strep B can come and go. Not just by pregnancies, in a pregnancy itself. Which is why dr's put off testing until later. It is possible to test again right before birth and get a negative. That and depending on what your specific beliefs are, there are alternatives to antibiotic that others (patients and alternative medicine professionals) claim can inactivate the bacteria.

udenbyjj · August 2014

I tested positive for Strep B in my first pregnancy. I was given antibiotics during labor, 3 doses that were timed perfectly to delivery. My son was born perfect and that was that. I will be tested again on monday, curious to see what the results will be.

Kildare47 · August 2014

I tested positive for Strep B in my pregnancy too. My water broke first, before anything else happened, so we went right to the hospital. They started me on antibiotics but also really wanted me to have pitocin to speed up the labor. I wanted to see how my contractions would progress on their own, but they were pushing it really hard for hours, so I gave in and consented to it. Ended up needing an epidural because the contractions were so much worse with the pitocin. Couldn't push properly and then the baby's heart rate kept dropping. So then there were forceps and an episiotomy. We both came out of it healthy and safe, but I tell the story to encourage anyone who is positive for GBS to have a conversation with her doctor about what exactly needs to happen if her water breaks first before contractions start.

lizzyarce · August 2014

jessicainkentucky said:

Thank you for asking, my test also came back GBS+ this morning. The internet is scary and I haven't yet talked to my doctor about it in detail. I'm wondering how this may affect my plans for a natural birth and delivery- seeing as I will be hooked up to an IV for a good portion of the time I will be in the hospital. I originally planned on laboring at home as long as I could but I don't want to take that chance if my water breaks. Lots of questions for my doctor!

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm GBS+, and I understand that I'll need antibiotics during labor, but I want to be able to move around freely without being attached to an IV unit. I also want to labor at home as long as I can. I will have lots of questions for my doctor too.

Amandaru1 · August 2014

I had it with my first pregnancy. The only thing that sucks is you have to go
to the hospital early on to make sure you get the drugs in time. In my case my water broke but I was only 1
Cm dialated so they pushed pitocin on me as well. I had an epidural but luckily it didn't slow anything down and I could push ok. I'm hoping I don't have GBS this time so I can wait at home for a while before going to the hospital!

Pitterpatter44 · August 2014

I had it with my first too, but my OB didn't mention that I should go to the hospital any sooner (kind of thinking after reading this, she probably should have). Actually now that I think about it, she never told me the results, but they knew i was GBS+ when I was admitted during labor. Just had an IV right away and baby came 12 hours later, so pretty uneventful. I know this time around I'll be asking for the results and showing up as early as I can though (which is my plan regardless)

FlwrBaby · August 2014

Sorry for jumping in but as an "add on question".....What if you enter preterm labour before you've had a chance to be tested?

ladylisalt · August 2014

FlwrBaby said:

Sorry for jumping in but as an "add on question".....What if you enter preterm labour before you've had a chance to be tested?

thats a good question. I would ask your doc at your next appt.

rae_dylanzmom · August 2014

FlwrBaby said:

Sorry for jumping in but as an "add on question".....What if you enter preterm labour before you've had a chance to be tested?

My guess? They would treat you as GBS+... just in case.

huddl009 · August 2014

Read this blog written by an ObGyn PA, here she talks about GBS

https://belly2baby.weebly.com/blog/gb-what

portentosa · August 2014

@WashingtonQueen Spam blog is posted in here too.

OP: I was GBS+ last pregnancy and am GBS+ this time too. Like PPs said, it's no biggie. My OB told me to go in immediately if my water breaks or I start to experience contractions. I am kinda bummed about that because I was hoping to labor at home for awhile before going in, but they have to have time to administer the antibiotics. With my first my water broke I was admitted and put on antibiotics and pitocin immediately. Baby came the next night.

ladylisalt · August 2014

huddl009 said:

Read this blog written by an ObGyn PA, here she talks about GBS
https://belly2baby.weebly.com/blog/gb-what

Thanks. That made it pretty clear

Sarahjtm4 · August 2014

I tested positive with my first so each pregnancy they went ahead and administered the antibiotics at delivery it does burn but they all came out healthy, this is my 4th at 34 weeks and I imagine they will give me more

britab · August 2014

I had the IV when I got to the hospital. I'm allergic to penicillin, so I had an alternative antibiotic. It was 1 round good for 24 hours and I could walk around with the IV if I wanted but it didn't take long, so I just waited. Not a big deal at all.

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