February 2015 Moms
mishka29
member
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GBS Testing
mishka29
member
I was hoping to start a discussion about GBS testing to hear people's thoughts/opinions/knowledge/experiences/plans...
I discussed this with my midwife today - testing, not testing, managing by risk factors, etc. She mentioned that many European countries don't test but manage by risk factors alone. Some may choose to manage with risk factors to avoid unnecessary antibiotics and possible blood test for baby if you don't get the two rounds in where some may go with the 'better safe than sorry' route.
Me: last time I was + and only got one round of antibotics, DD needed the blood test and we stayed at the hospital longer than we normally would have. I'm leaning towards testing this time again just to be safe.
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Re: GBS Testing
BFP #2 11/6/13 - EDD 7/14/14 - blighted ovum discovered @ 7w - natural m/c @ 10w3d
BFP #3 5/25/14 - EDD 2/1/15 - Hoping this is our 2nd little owl
A/S findings: Baby is a girl! EIF found on heart
but maternit21 came back neg for chromosome disorders!!
I would guess that the choice to take the test is still yours to make and you could refuse if you wanted. Based on things I've heard/read people may opt out as they believe the test is flawed, they are very anti-antibiotics, they prefer to manage risk factors. But this isn't something I'm very knowledgable about - still doing my research.
The model of midwifery care is informed consent, meaning they give you options and information and its your decision. I would imagine that depending on the situation and the test in question they may strongly encourage an option that would be in your best interest.
I just had my test done today.
BFP #2 11/6/13 - EDD 7/14/14 - blighted ovum discovered @ 7w - natural m/c @ 10w3d
BFP #3 5/25/14 - EDD 2/1/15 - Hoping this is our 2nd little owl
A/S findings: Baby is a girl! EIF found on heart
but maternit21 came back neg for chromosome disorders!!
1/7/2015 Twins born @ 34 weeks
It seems from my minimal research that most baby's born to GSB+ moms won't get GSB disease even without antibiotic use. And, among those who do the majority (normal birth weight and non-pre term) can be successfully treated with antibiotics if caught early and escape long lasting effects. The long term and scary sad complications appear to be rare (although very devastating).
It seems that there is a hypothetical link (with some research making the link more empirical) between the use of antibiotics in newborns and the development of allergies and asthma. In the same vein some researchers have suggested that the absence of vaginal microbes passed to c-section babies might explain the higher incidences of asthma in c-section babies. More research is being done on this and the research that has been conducted is *far* from conclusive.
Typically, the risk averse person in me would go with the antibiotics to avoid the rare but extremely devastating potentially serious complications of GSB disease in my baby. However, as someone with multiple serious allergies (the kind that kill you) and extremely severe asthma, I weigh the risk of increased development of these two immune disorders pretty high as well.
Typically my GP or midwife would be my go to person to help me make a medical decision. While I'm going to have a long chat with my midwife and GP about it I also plan to have a chat with some researchers at my university because I know the research in this area is still rather new. The problem is, I don't expect most midwives, or GPs (who we typically see in Canada) to be as informed on this issue as researchers, so I'm thinking the researchers will be my chosen source. Unfortunately I've come across some doctors who fail to understand how research works so they rely on best practice protocols rather than actively being up to date with their field or, frighteningly, they rely on individual research study findings that they hear about at a conference or in their shitter papers (causing me to question their professionalism - or the ability for professionalism in their work circumstances - but that's another issue for another day).
I don't see why you wouldn't.
Monster Truck (It's a GIRL!) is due 19/02/2015!
However, there are always the scary statistics.... But I haven't allowed scare tactics to advise my pregnancy up to this point, and don't intend to start. I too, will be reading more research on the risks and occurance rates etc.
Basically we haven't decided if we will treat if I'm GBS positive. We will test. I'm pumping up my probiotics for the duration of my pregnancy though in an attempt to build up the good stuff
Get the antibiotics, then take some probiotics or eat some yogurt. Really.
Monster Truck (It's a GIRL!) is due 19/02/2015!
And really the comment about eating some yogurt or take a probiotic.... Really... Me thinks that a little deeper understanding of gut flora and immunity might go a ways. Yes I know I'm about to be attacked for this comment
BFP #2: m/c at 7w, February, 2014
BFP #3: It's a BOY! Please be our rainbow! Due February, 2015
*everyone always welcome*
Have you ever seen a baby go to the NICU and nearly die of GBS sepsis?
Have you ever seen a child with a brain hemorrhage because mom refuses vitamin k?
Guess who has? Doctors and nurses. Not fear, just facts. Everything has a risk benefit ratio. Chances are most kids are okay--but you have to compare things like the number needed to treat and number needed to harm and weigh the ratios. Healthcare providers don't get satisfaction out of "scaring" people. They want the best for you and your baby and are trying to help you.
BFP #2: m/c at 7w, February, 2014
BFP #3: It's a BOY! Please be our rainbow! Due February, 2015
*everyone always welcome*
Here is her take. I'm worried about a fast delivery since I had a 10 hour labor with DS and then less than 5 for DD. My doc said that it happens that some labor a progress so quickly that the antibiotics aren't possible. She said the risk of transmission goes up the longer labor lasts, so if my labor progresses too quickly for antibiotics they will just monitor the baby. She said the antibiotics is the best route to make sure everything is okay for baby though. She said we would take it as it comes and do what is best, but I did state that I would rather come in when labor starts to get the antibiotics and she agreed that would probably be best due to my history.
Just my two cents after talking to her today.