Tested Positive for Group B Strep

atraveller · September 2014

Well, I had a pretty easy pregnancy as far as overall symptoms go, but seems what symptoms I was going to have all came in the final trimester - and now it appears I've tested positive for Group B Strep. I should have known - I always fall into that minority percentage for having some symptom or some side effect - so more likely 'id be in the 25% of women that have it versus the opposite. My reading says unfortunately my lifestyle habits (be it eating, cleaning, etc....) have nothing to do with it - just some women are carriers.....

So - for any or all of those non- FTMs that tested positive - i'm wondering what did this mean for your delivery. I'll be seeing my doctor on Tuesday and will get all the facts and her recommends - but my reading says I should avoid the internals they are planning to do each visit over the next few weeks and definitely make sure no membrane sweeping goes on as that can push the bacteria closer to the baby and that the moment I go into labor I should consider whether to go into the hospital - and/or if my water breaks - so I can get on IV antibiotics. I read 1 in 200 chances of baby getting GBS from mom that is a carrier - but a 1 in 4000 chance if antibiotics are used - so seems a no brainer. But I'm wondering what that means for my natural delivery plans- will I be hooked up to an IV continuously or can I still move around and walk and do other positions and get into tub, etc...during my labor.

Also wondering - does this mean I should avoid sex for the remainder of the pregnancy - will that possibly push the bacteria closer to baby?

Any and all experiences people have had dealing with this would be helpful. Thank you!

SusieBW · September 2014

So, I was tested last week and found out yesterday that I'm positive, too. My OB was extremely nonchalant about it. Like, it's NBD at all, they just put antibiotics into my IV while I'm in labor to protect the baby during a vaginal birth, but there is no risk to me or anything like that. And if I end up scheduling a RCS, the positive test will make no difference at all. I'm pretty sure that in my hospital, even if you're planning to be med-free, you have an IV line anyway, just in case. Like, should something happen and you need to be rushed to an OR, the line is already in, I guess.

She also said she'll start doing cervical checks at my 38w appointment next week, and she'll sweep my membranes then if I feel like I'm ready.

I'm a STM, but I was negative for GBS last time, so apparently it can change or be different with each pregnancy.

Obviously talk to your doctor about the implications for you because all doctors might have a different way of handling it, but this was my experience, anyway.

JayneMouse · September 2014

I tested positive with my first two. It's not a big deal. My first was delivered in the hospital so they kept me hooked to an IV the whole time. It made changing position more difficult but not impossible. Despite me telling them during "triage" that I was GBS positive they took their time getting the IV hooked up so we missed the treatment window and I was considered untreated. (You're supposed to get it 4-6 hours before delivery. We missed by 1/2 hour.) That meant I got to stay in the hospital an extra day or two. It wasn't a big deal since he was my first so we didn't need to rush home but it certainly wasn't the best food or sleeping situation.

With my second I delivered at a birthing center. They hooked up a port (?) so that once they were done administering the antibiotics I didn't need to keep a bag hooked to me. I just had a thing taped to my arm so I could easily move around. We again missed the treatment window since my labor progressed much faster than we expected. (I delivered about an hour after we got to the birth center.) The midwife called the pediatrician who was comfortable with the situation. She then reviewed the signs/symptoms to watch for and told us it was our decision if we wanted to go home or try and get DS admitted. We opted to go home. There were no complications.

I'm assuming that I will test positive again this time. The midwives have told me that I can always come and get the antibiotics while in early labor and then leave again so we can try and make sure I'm treated this time. I definitely don't want to be at the birth center longer than needed nor do I want to have to deal with a hospital admittance. I want to get home to my other kids and have our whole family together.

Given that you are planning a hospital birth but want to go natural you're going to have to watch your timing. If you get there too soon to get the antibiotics they could then decide you aren't progressing fast enough and try and push interventions on you. The flip side is if you wait too long and end up "untreated" you could have to stay in the hospital another day or two.

persephonerose · September 2014

It really is not a huge deal. Everyone should have some strepB, but some times we have a higher amounts. The higher amounts can be an indication of a risk of infection during vaginal birth for you and baby. When you go into L&D they will start you on antibiotics right away. I have also heard some women have asked to take oral doses of antibiotics starting a few weeks before their due date to avoid the IV antibiotics so that might be something you ask your doctor about if you have a preference.

SusieBW · September 2014

persephonerose said:

It really is not a huge deal. Everyone should have some strepB, but some times we have a higher amounts. The higher amounts can be an indication of a risk of infection during vaginal birth for you and baby. When you go into L&D they will start you on antibiotics right away. I have also heard some women have asked to take oral doses of antibiotics starting a few weeks before their due date to avoid the IV antibiotics so that might be something you ask your doctor about if you have a preference.

Here's a question (and I'm sorry to sort of hijack the thread, OP, but it is related) - The day I was tested for GBS, I also told my OB that my achey vag had also started itching a little, and while neither of us really thought I had a yeast infection (it wasn't THAT bad), she also tested me for that, anyway. I got a call the next day to tell me that the yeast infection test was positive, and I also had a bacterial infection. I did a 3 day Monistat, and am finishing up a 7 day antibiotic today, and feel way better, thankyouverymuch. Could those things have caused me to test positive for GBS? Is it worth re-testing? Like I said, I'm not overly concerned with the positive GBS test, because my OB wasn't, but the bolded above makes me wonder if this was just a fluke thing because I had some other issues going on at the time of the test. I obviously know very little about GBS in the first place.

persephonerose · September 2014

SusieBW said:

persephonerose said:

It really is not a huge deal. Everyone should have some strepB, but some times we have a higher amounts. The higher amounts can be an indication of a risk of infection during vaginal birth for you and baby. When you go into L&D they will start you on antibiotics right away. I have also heard some women have asked to take oral doses of antibiotics starting a few weeks before their due date to avoid the IV antibiotics so that might be something you ask your doctor about if you have a preference.

Here's a question (and I'm sorry to sort of hijack the thread, OP, but it is related) - The day I was tested for GBS, I also told my OB that my achey vag had also started itching a little, and while neither of us really thought I had a yeast infection (it wasn't THAT bad), she also tested me for that, anyway. I got a call the next day to tell me that the yeast infection test was positive, and I also had a bacterial infection. I did a 3 day Monistat, and am finishing up a 7 day antibiotic today, and feel way better, thankyouverymuch. Could those things have caused me to test positive for GBS? Is it worth re-testing? Like I said, I'm not overly concerned with the positive GBS test, because my OB wasn't, but the bolded above makes me wonder if this was just a fluke thing because I had some other issues going on at the time of the test. I obviously know very little about GBS in the first place.

I don't think the other infections could increase strepB but I really don't know. Since you had a round of antibiotics you could ask to be retested to see if it did lower your strepB, but I am not sure if it will make a difference at 37w. Versus some women who take the antibiotics around 39w. I think a lot of it has to do with OB preference and hospital policy.

I would ask your OB to be sure. I personally hate antibiotics because they tend to mess up my digestion system so badly and can take weeks to get it back to normal.

SusieBW · September 2014

persephonerose said:

I would ask your OB to be sure. I personally hate antibiotics because they tend to mess up my digestion system so badly and can take weeks to get it back to normal.

I hate antibiotics because they generally give me yeast infections. Hopefully the fact that I did a cycle of Monistat at the same time as I was on this one will cancel that out.

Now that you mention digestive issues, though, I did throw up this morning. Now I wonder if that was from the antibiotics or the Chinese food I ate last night.

Either way, thanks for your response! It hadn't ocurred to me that the + GBS test could've been related to the other issues at all until reading your post, but I'll add this to the list to mention to my OB next week.

Eastie156 · September 2014

I tested positive for GBS with DS and had no other infections. It's unrelated to yeast infections and other vaginal infections from what I've been told. Also, it's NBD in terms of what happens in the hospital. You get an IV with medication during labor and sometimes, depending on your delivery, you may get a course after too. At least that was my experience. I spiked a fever during delivery so I had a course during and after labor and delivery. It made BFing a little tough because of the side they put the IV on and DS needed an IV too since I'd been sick.

ADH0906 · September 2014

I just tested positive too, and like all PPs, my midwife was totally nonchalant about it. It does change some delivery details for me. I was going IV-free until my epidural, but now I'll have the IV placed for immediate antibiotics and then she'll cap it...so the port is in, but no tubing or pole to carry around. I believe the antibiotics only take less than 20 minutes to administer and then You're unhooked. Also, she had okayed me to labor at home until I hit 3-1-1, but now would like me to come in no later than 4-1-1. It's a dose of antibiotics every 4 hours until you deliver. Because yeast infections are an issue for me, she also requested that I start a probiotic now and ordered oral yeast infection meds for immediately following delivery to counteract it.

Regarding the use of oral antibiotics: I encourage you to read the strep b article at Evidenced Based Birth. I believe oral antibiotics are not nearly as effective as IV because timing is tricky and it's nearly impossible to get the correct dosage levels by delivery. I'm refusing checks prior to delivery, but only because I feel that they're not necessary and don't want to risk it. I don't think every doctor is of this mindset though, so check with yours.

BreandMikewedding · September 2014

I was gbs positive with my first but not my second and I don't know if they will test me this time since I'm having a rcs. It can change with each pregnancy. It wasn't a big deal at all. They just give you iv antibiotics. I think (if I can remember that far back) that I needed the antibiotics two hours before delivery. My Dr told me they can't strip your membranes if you are gbs positive.

Eastie156 · September 2014

ADH0906 said:

I just tested positive too, and like all PPs, my midwife was totally nonchalant about it. It does change some delivery details for me. I was going IV-free until my epidural, but now I'll have the IV placed for immediate antibiotics and then she'll cap it...so the port is in, but no tubing or pole to carry around. I believe the antibiotics only take less than 20 minutes to administer and then You're unhooked. Also, she had okayed me to labor at home until I hit 3-1-1, but now would like me to come in no later than 4-1-1. It's a dose of antibiotics every 4 hours until you deliver. Because yeast infections are an issue for me, she also requested that I start a probiotic now and ordered oral yeast infection meds for immediately following delivery to counteract it. Regarding the use of oral antibiotics: I encourage you to read the strep b article at Evidenced Based Birth. I believe oral antibiotics are not nearly as effective as IV because timing is tricky and it's nearly impossible to get the correct dosage levels by delivery. I'm refusing checks prior to delivery, but only because I feel that they're not necessary and don't want to risk it. I don't think every doctor is of this mindset though, so check with yours.

I wonder if this is why I got sick during labor? I didnt' get to the hospital until I was over 8 cm dilated and they didn't get me an IV until I was almost 9. Someone dropped the ball and I am just realizing it now!

Liss1481 · September 2014

I tested positive with my first and honestly, it wasn't a big deal. I received IV antibiotics while in labor but that was it.

TheOtherJacobsons · September 2014

I tested positive in the first tri in my urine, so they didn't retest me again. Basically, as the others have said, you need antibiotics via IV drip. They administer it every 4 hours. Once your bag of waters breaks, they will want you to call and then decide if you have to come in. If your bag of waters does not break, there is no risk of infection until your baby enters the birth canal. You do need to get at least 1 dose in a full 4 hour period before delivery for the birth to be considered normal. If you get less than that, your baby automatically goes to the NICU for 3 days for testing.

This is unfortunate for me because I wanted to labor at home for as long as possible as I want to limit the amount of hospital intervention in the timing of my delivery. Unfortunately, I will have to go in earlier than I would have liked as I definitely don't want my kid to get an infection.

One thing to note is that you do not have to be attached to the IV the whole time. You can request a (can't remember the name) but the kind of IV where you can remove the hose once the IV bag is empty so that you can get up and move around between your antibiotic doses. If you plan on getting an epidural, then you can't get up anyway, but if you do plan a pain med free delivery, then this would be something I would request.

MissMandyD · September 2014

I have known I was strep b positive since the beginning of my first pregnancy. It really isn't that big a deal. All you are in for is one 15 minute dose of IV antibiotics at least 4 hours before delivery. I am also trying to have a natural delivery and my doctor says we can do the IV with a heparin lock so that it can be removed after the 15 dose.

ADH0906 · September 2014

Eastie156 said:

ADH0906 said:

I just tested positive too, and like all PPs, my midwife was totally nonchalant about it. It does change some delivery details for me. I was going IV-free until my epidural, but now I'll have the IV placed for immediate antibiotics and then she'll cap it...so the port is in, but no tubing or pole to carry around. I believe the antibiotics only take less than 20 minutes to administer and then You're unhooked. Also, she had okayed me to labor at home until I hit 3-1-1, but now would like me to come in no later than 4-1-1. It's a dose of antibiotics every 4 hours until you deliver. Because yeast infections are an issue for me, she also requested that I start a probiotic now and ordered oral yeast infection meds for immediately following delivery to counteract it.

Regarding the use of oral antibiotics: I encourage you to read the strep b article at Evidenced Based Birth. I believe oral antibiotics are not nearly as effective as IV because timing is tricky and it's nearly impossible to get the correct dosage levels by delivery. I'm refusing checks prior to delivery, but only because I feel that they're not necessary and don't want to risk it. I don't think every doctor is of this mindset though, so check with yours.

I wonder if this is why I got sick during labor? I didnt' get to the hospital until I was over 8 cm dilated and they didn't get me an IV until I was almost 9. Someone dropped the ball and I am just realizing it now!

Why you got sick? When they administer the antibiotics shouldn't matter for the mother's health...it's an attempt to lower the bacterial count in the vagina and reduce baby's contact with it, from what I understand. If you didn't get there until you were an 8, they likely didn't have the 4 hour window they needed to complete a full antibiotic course.

(Sorry, I might be completely misunderstanding what you meant!)

Liss1481 · September 2014

Follow-up on what @TheOtherJacobsons said.... I walked around even while receiving the antibiotics. I just brought the bag with me through the halls

TheOtherJacobsons · September 2014

Liss1481 said:

Follow-up on what @TheOtherJacobsons said.... I walked around even while receiving the antibiotics. I just brought the bag with me through the halls

I'd rather not have to deal with it.

atraveller · September 2014

Thanks everybody - this all is very helpful. I did a little reading myself and it seems to back up what many PPs have said here - Re: Pill form not as effective as IV - IV at least 4 hours before delivery to be deemed effective and that it's only for 15-20 min. The hospital I'm going to does a HEP-V automatically unless you insist on not getting it - and I was told that you can be unhooked so I should be able to not be on an IV the whole time - unless I'm doing an epidural, etc.....

The doctor that did the test this past week (not my main doctor, as I was meeting a few others in the office these last few appts), made it sound like no big deal and said that 1-3 women have it and it just means antibiotics when delivering - so hoping my doctor when I see her on Tues of next week responds pretty much the same way. I will also ask her if she wants me in earlier, re: 4.1.1 versus 3.1.1. I know I'd like to avoid interventions so as long as water doesn't break, would like to labor at home as long as possible - BUT, also know I want to get that full dose of antibiotics in as soon as possible - as I read that the 1 in 200 chance of baby contracting GBS from you during delivery, goes to 1 in 4000 chance if you have IV antibiotics. I also read sweeping the membranes and forceful internals are not a good idea if you are GBS.

But I'll talk with my doctor and see what she says. Thanks for all the great input ladies.

jesslinnn · September 2014

I was positive with my first, it was NBD. I got the meds in my IV while I was in labor, the end. My OB said the meds have to be in your system at least 4 hours for it to be effective, but if you aren't able to get it in time there is still a very low risk of problems.

I was negative with my second which was good because I was oh in my hospital room for 10 minutes before he was born.

I'm positive again this time and I'm trying not to worry too much about it. Ill just head to the hospital sooner this time.

MorganWP · September 2014

I tested positive last pregnancy. Unfortunately I had a very slow leak so I had no idea that my water had broken until a day or so later when I went to a doctor's appointment.

She sent me straight to the hospital even though I wasnt having any contractions or other signs of labour, just so I could get hooked up to my IV. Once it was in I was free to walk around the hospital to get labour started. The one thing I did have to do was put plastic over my hand when I laboured in the tub for a bit and I had the IV in the entire time until my daughter was born. It was a little annoying at first but you dont really notice it when things are really happening.

I havent been tested yet this pregnancy, I will next week, but I assume it would be the same way. Just make sure that if your water breaks at home or while you're not in the hospital that you go to the hospital right away to get your IV in.

TinyTRex321 · September 2014

I was positive last time which would not have been a big deal but I also had a really long induction due to high bp and my water was broken for 26 hours. I ended up with an infection that passed to my son, he had to be in the NICU on antibiotics but we are both fine. They think the infection was a combo of my water being broken for so long and being positive for Group B strep. My situation was rare and I was hesitant to say anything but bottom line is we both ended up perfectly healthy with no long term affects.

ETA - all in all my induction was 3 days

BreandMikewedding · September 2014

@savagek7‌ from having my membranes stripped the best way I can explain it is basically the dr reaches in your vag and scrapes your cervix with their fingers or I think sometimes a little tool. It was uncomfortable but not painful for me. Some people say it's very painful.

rowanrat · September 2014

I'm a FTM and tested positive today. It makes me feel a little anxious as I was hoping to labor at home as long as possible before heading to the hospital, but I am trying to put things in perspective

I hope to use a hep lock if I can and fingers crossed my water won't break until late in labor. We shall see.

savicke2009 · September 2014

I was gbs pos with number one.. I got a few doses of antibiotics during labor and spent an extra night in the hospital to monitor my baby.. that was about it though, I could still walk the halls freely.. number two I tested negative so no big deal at all!

HappyCianci · September 2014

Lots of useful comments so far. My friend, a midwife, was GBS positive with her second son, and she still birthed him at home. Her midwife just brought the antibiotics to her house and she spent a half hour hooked up to the IV to get the bag of antibiotics into her. After that she was able to move and labor however she wanted.

shunt1983 · September 2014

As far as natural delivery after antibiotics you can be done. Though they administer every 4 hours. No continuous iv. Cap it off etc.

andrieya · September 2014

I just got my positive results today. Bummer. A friend of mine also had it and was in labor for 34 hours--because of that, she got a lot of doses. Her feet were insanely swollen for nearly two weeks. This was in April and she said her digestive system is still all out of whack. Yes everyone is different...but still makes me a little nervous.
Also, I have to have an alternative antibiotic because I'm allergic to penicillin. Anyone else?

ADH0906 · September 2014

@andrieya‌ No experience with the penicillin allergy, but my midwife strongly encouraged that I start probiotics now to avoid the yeast infection/digestive issue. I've also read that some pediatricians will recommend a probiotic for the baby as well, since it seems like there might be some indication that the antibiotics can reduce their gut flora as well and cause digestive issues.

andrieya · September 2014

@ADH0906‌ my friend also recommended that. I picked some up yesterday. She said she's had two UTIs since birth but had never gotten them before. Again--hoping her case was because of the long labor/multiple doses

shunt1983 · September 2014

Yes I did. But I'm never in labor long. I forget what they used but it was fine.

atraveller · September 2014

ADH0906 said:

@andrieya‌ No experience with the penicillin allergy, but my midwife strongly encouraged that I start probiotics now to avoid the yeast infection/digestive issue. I've also read that some pediatricians will recommend a probiotic for the baby as well, since it seems like there might be some indication that the antibiotics can reduce their gut flora as well and cause digestive issues.

@adh906 - interesting - my doctor has not encouraged a probiotic - can you let me know what ones your midwife recommended - is it a pill or something I can get in food, re: yogurt, etc...? Thanks!

TinyTRex321 · September 2014

andrieya said:

I just got my positive results today. Bummer. A friend of mine also had it and was in labor for 34 hours--because of that, she got a lot of doses. Her feet were insanely swollen for nearly two weeks. This was in April and she said her digestive system is still all out of whack. Yes everyone is different...but still makes me a little nervous. Also, I have to have an alternative antibiotic because I'm allergic to penicillin. Anyone else?

I had to have other antibiotics b/c of a possible allergy to ammoxicilian in my last pregnancy. The doctor picked the next best thing.

ADH0906 · September 2014

atraveller said:

ADH0906 said:

@andrieya‌ No experience with the penicillin allergy, but my midwife strongly encouraged that I start probiotics now to avoid the yeast infection/digestive issue. I've also read that some pediatricians will recommend a probiotic for the baby as well, since it seems like there might be some indication that the antibiotics can reduce their gut flora as well and cause digestive issues.

@adh906 - interesting - my doctor has not encouraged a probiotic - can you let me know what ones your midwife recommended - is it a pill or something I can get in food, re: yogurt, etc...? Thanks!

@atraveller‌ She recommended Florajen, which is what I generally take when I'm in an antibiotic anyway. It's over the counter and completely safe for pregnancy (ask your doc, of course) but it's refrigerated so you usually have to ask the pharmacist for it. Its much stronger than yogurt, but even that isn't going to do you any harm. Good luck!

erinchrisitne424 · September 2014

SusieBW said:

persephonerose said:

It really is not a huge deal. Everyone should have some strepB, but some times we have a higher amounts. The higher amounts can be an indication of a risk of infection during vaginal birth for you and baby. When you go into L&D they will start you on antibiotics right away. I have also heard some women have asked to take oral doses of antibiotics starting a few weeks before their due date to avoid the IV antibiotics so that might be something you ask your doctor about if you have a preference.

Here's a question (and I'm sorry to sort of hijack the thread, OP, but it is related) - The day I was tested for GBS, I also told my OB that my achey vag had also started itching a little, and while neither of us really thought I had a yeast infection (it wasn't THAT bad), she also tested me for that, anyway. I got a call the next day to tell me that the yeast infection test was positive, and I also had a bacterial infection. I did a 3 day Monistat, and am finishing up a 7 day antibiotic today, and feel way better, thankyouverymuch. Could those things have caused me to test positive for GBS? Is it worth re-testing? Like I said, I'm not overly concerned with the positive GBS test, because my OB wasn't, but the bolded above makes me wonder if this was just a fluke thing because I had some other issues going on at the time of the test. I obviously know very little about GBS in the first place.

Related to this concern. I tested positive for chlymidia once during a pap come to find out it was because of an over growth of yeast. I didn't take the chlymidia antibiotics until we got the yeast under co from. Asked them to retest and I was negative for chlymidia. Yeast can cause a lot of false readings.

atraveller · September 2014

ADH0906 said:

ADH0906 said:

@andrieya‌ No experience with the penicillin allergy, but my midwife strongly encouraged that I start probiotics now to avoid the yeast infection/digestive issue. I've also read that some pediatricians will recommend a probiotic for the baby as well, since it seems like there might be some indication that the antibiotics can reduce their gut flora as well and cause digestive issues.

@adh906 - interesting - my doctor has not encouraged a probiotic - can you let me know what ones your midwife recommended - is it a pill or something I can get in food, re: yogurt, etc...? Thanks!
@atraveller‌ She recommended Florajen, which is what I generally take when I'm in an antibiotic anyway. It's over the counter and completely safe for pregnancy (ask your doc, of course) but it's refrigerated so you usually have to ask the pharmacist for it. Its much stronger than yogurt, but even that isn't going to do you any harm. Good luck!

@ADH0906 - great. Thank you. I will ask my doctor about it this week or next when I go to my appt. Good luck to you too!

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