Group B positive - advice from people who did antibiotics during labor?

teaismCAgal · November 2014

Just found out I'm Group B positive, I'm definitely doing antibiotics as the risk is too high for me not to. However two things:

Would love to hear from others who had antibiotics during labor for Strep B. Any side effects for baby and you? Did the baby seem more susceptible to illness, allergies etc?
Any advice on how one can help reduce the risk Strep B being present at the time of birth and increase the amount of good flora? I know the antibiotics will kill a good portion of the good bacteria, but I'd like to have as much present as possible.

We were planning to delay the baby's bath but now have to ask our Pedia if that's still advisable. Again, I'm doing the antibiotics but looking for ways I can supplement naturally to a) further reduce Strep B risk b) increase the good flora that baby will be exposed to.

Amstreagle · November 2014

They hooked them up with my fluids and I didn't notice a thing. Baby was perfectly fine.
All they do is hook up the antibiotics via IV during labor. Other than that they treat you and baby no differently than anyone else.

teaismCAgal · November 2014

Thanks, Armsteagle - I'm glad to hear that. By the looks of it, seems like there was no long-term issues with your DS from taking antibiotics during labor?

Amstreagle · November 2014

teaismCAgal said:

Thanks, Armsteagle - I'm glad to hear that. By the looks of it, seems like there was no long-term issues with your DS from taking antibiotics during labor?

Nope. None at all. Good Luck!

Deardra77 · November 2014

I got a killer yeast infection from the antibiotic. Really not what you want after giving birth! This time around I've out in an order for diflucan for right after I give birth to avoid the yeast infection again. We used probiotics with my DS but we would have done that anyway even if I hadn't needed the antibiotic

teaismCAgal · November 2014

Thanks, Deardra — DS doesn't have any allergies or other issues? Also, what probiotic did you use? That's something I'd like to do as well.

dianeg1017 · November 2014

They just popped an iv in my only issue was DD was comming too fast and they had to put the iv on the fastest drip. That was a little uncomfortable but luckily I went med free so I had other pain to focus on. Lol. I still only got half the bag but DD was not effected. Good luck.

AlfiesMOM · November 2014

I had it and I delieverd very quickly so they just had to keep DD and I a little longer to monitor us. No issues she is 2 and perfect!

jess9802 · November 2014

I had the antibiotics with DS. No issues. I didn't take any probiotics, did not develop a yeast infection, and DS has shown no signs of allergies or other health issues. In fact, he's had three minor colds and no ear infections, and he's nearly 2.5.

hollieandaaron2012 · November 2014

I just got my results back and am negative but I was told that if you get the antibiotics you should be really careful about yeast. So have some probiotic pill bought and start taking them after labor ( of course talk to your dr). Also, you should buy the ones that are refrigerated and might have to ask at the store for them. Then limit your sugar and carbs for the first few weeks. Otherwise you and your baby might get a yeast infection and it can be hard to get rid of and involve a lot of laundry.

kuipogirl · November 2014

I had Group B strep with both previous pregnancies and received antibiotics for both of them. My first has absolutely no issues and is very healthy. With my second however, my labor was progressing very fast and I was given the antibiotics as fast as they could drip it into me. My son was born healthy but we found out when we started solid food that he has a pretty severe dairy allergy. I breastfed him for 16 months but he did not have probiotics (I unfortunately was clueless about giving that to him). After much research and talking with his allergist and pediatrician, I believe that the antibiotics led to his dairy allergy. I am now expecting my third and if I test positive for Group B strep again I will still receive the antibiotics (because risk to baby is too great) but will make sure that my baby is put on probiotics immediately to rebuild the good flora in her stomach.