Group B Strep test?

mrs14678 · November 2015

I think I'm supposed to have the Group B Strep test tomorrow at my appointment at 34w5d. Is this something that is necessary or can I decline? I know you can decline cervical exams.....

If I HAVE to have this....what's it like???

USCnurse42 · November 2015

It is a swab of the vagina and anus. They don't stick the swab in far just on the outside. You can deny it, but the risk is to the baby not you. If you are group B positive, the baby is at higher risk for having an infection or respiratory distress after delivery. If you are psoitive, they can give you antibiotics during delivery.

Gingermom15 · November 2015

I'm not thrilled about having my vag and butthole swabbed, but better to know about the infection before-hand.

https://sogc.org/publications/group-b-streptococcus-gbs-infection-in-pregnancy/

kepoole · November 2015

Unless you want to be unprepared for your baby getting sick if you have it, I'd not decline it. It's really not a big deal. They take a big q tip and swab the area between your vag and rectum. Quick, painless, and overwith. A pap is way worse

arz1215 · November 2015

I'll be getting mine in a couple weeks. I don't think you can decline (maybe I'm wrong)and I don't think you should. It's a swab of your vagina and rectum. Group B Strep is a bacteria. If it goes untreated you could potentially infect your baby causing illness.

suchaglencoco · November 2015

It sounds way worse than it is. Honestly, by the time you realize the swap is touching you, it's already over.
They don't "go in" or really "penetrate" you with the swab.
Honestly, it's something really small to protect your baby.

BellaM110 · November 2015

The only thing your doing by not having it done is putting your baby at risk. If you come back positive, they will treat you with antibiotics while you labor. Always better to be safe!

katierpowell · November 2015

I just had mine today and it took all of 3 seconds. Just a quick swab that I barely felt.

laurabwalker · November 2015

Definetly would not decline it. Some places you can do it yourself if you're more comfortable, takes like 20 seconds. Group B strep can cause sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis, in the infant and it's controlled by giving the mom antibiotics.

Jess0813 · November 2015

Definitely dont decline it. Its really simple and not worth the risk to your lo!

docandyaffa · November 2015

Just had mine. It's no big deal. I don't care for being poked and prodded down there, but it wasn't bad at all.

courtney198078 · November 2015

Just had mine done and it's no big deal at all barely felt anything having my cervix checked was much more u comfortable and definately need to have it done!!!

Bombmom3 · November 2015

I've had a baby who developed sepsis from a GBS infection (and I even tested negative on the swab). I can tell you it is not something you want to deal with if you are positive and I would say to get the swab done to be sure. If you are positive they give you antibiotics that protect your baby. I'm not for interventions but believe me that is so worth not having a sick baby.

That said, you have the right to decline ANY and ALL medical procedures. That includes all vaginal and cervical checks. Because of my GBS status I did not have checks before labor and I only approve the check they did before pushing my last baby. I intend to do the same this time around as well.

Do your research. Ask questions. Get straight answers from your medical team (not just scary, worst case scenarios). Make informed decisions. And speak up if your healthcare team are not respecting your wishes. Your body, your baby. Period.

lstheo · November 2015

It's not that bad. I'm also FTM and I had it done today. Dr. will tell you want he/she is doing before it happens. Takes like 5 seconds and then it's over.

AlejandraN2 · November 2015

Please do your research on this and read on what the preventative measures do for your baby instead of listening to an online forum. Whether or not you and your husband were virgins before or not it doesn't matter - make sure you just read about it and if you really think it'll hurt your baby after that then decline the treatment. May also be worth learning the correct names - not trying to be rude, but your health care individuals will trust you're making an educated decision if you understand what treats what. The antibiotic cream that they put in newborn's eyes yes treats potential STDs but can also treat common bacteria found in the vaginal region including e. Coli.

Regarding the swab for Group Strep B: like others said it's literally a soft swipe. I didn't feel a thing. And I tested positive, which means that I'll need to get antibiotics during labor so that the risk to my baby is reduced. Left untreated, babies can develop complications, the most rare and dangerous being meningitis. You don't want that. Group strep b could be transmitted sexually but most likely it's bacteria that lives in your gut and most likely got from food.

Tiffanyosborn · November 2015

I freak myself out about stuff like this as well. I had mine done on Monday and it really is nothing. Just bite the bullet and you'll feel better when it's all over and done with.

mltarrio · November 2015

Group B Strep is not an STD. It is a common commensal bacteria that colonizes some people in the intestinal tract and genitals. It has NOTHING to do with sexual history at all, and is not an infection in Mom, just a naturally occurring bacteria. It is only a problem for babies because of their immature immune systems.

Bombmom3 · November 2015

Not sure why you would even bother to comment then if you think it's dumb for someone to ask advice or questions about a diagnostic test on the Internet ...

I don't feel comfortable having cervical checks prior to labor. That doesn't make me irresponsible or wrong or an idiot. I'm choosing to decline a medical procedure that, after many hours researching, I have deemed as unnecessary and actually a risk in my case. You may feel that is wrong or risky or dumb but I feel it's my body, my baby, my choice. And, honestly, *you* don't need to understand why I would decline any procedure - that's between me and my doctor.

OP was just asking what the deal with the test was and if she could decline it. Not if you feel like she's an idiot if she does or does not take the test.

mrs14678 · November 2015

Okay, good to know.... I was thinking it was some STD type test, and if so...well, absolutely 0 risk of that, so I wanted to be sure. Guess I'll go ahead and get swabbed. Haha.

...wait. Is this why they sometimes put the goop in babies' eyes after they're born? That's another question!

nik6499 · November 2015

Unfortunately no one is at zero risk of an std. There is low risk but never zero risk.

Bombmom3 · November 2015

The goop is to protect your baby from certain STDs that could be transferred through them during delivery and cause health issues and possible blindness. This is a preventative measure they do on all babies because moms sometimes don't know if they contracted these STDs prior to delivery so they just do it out of hand. You can decline the goop. Again, do your research and weigh cost to risk ratios for your situation.

mrs14678 · November 2015

Hubby and I were both virgins when we got married, and haven't had sex with anyone but each other, so I'm not worried. Good to know, though. Will be declining the goop.

nik6499 · November 2015

My best friend said that too, she now has herpes. Shit happens

mrs14678 · November 2015

I'm sorry that happened to your friend.

redfallon · November 2015

I'm getting the swab at my next appt. I'll also be getting the "goop" in his eyes.

caitlyn5454 · November 2015

https://childrensmd.org/browse-by-age-group/newborn-infants/do-newborns-really-need-that-eye-ointment/ The "goop" is to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis, which can cause blindness in newborns. It's not just a treatment against STDs. Please don't opt out of it until you do your own research on it. A child in my town is now blind because her parents opted out and her mother was E. coli positive. Had absolutely nothing to do with STDs.

Bombmom3 · November 2015

mltarrio said:
Group B Strep is not an STD. It is a common commensal bacteria that colonizes some people in the intestinal tract and genitals. It has NOTHING to do with sexual history at all, and is not an infection in Mom, just a naturally occurring bacteria. It is only a problem for babies because of their immature immune systems.

I don't think anyone said GBS was an STD - I think most of the STD comments stem from OP asking why they put goop in the baby's eyes after delivery. This thread got kind of convoluted, though, so someone may have mistaken GBS for an STD.

OP:
Things to keep in mind about STDs - you don't have to have vaginal or anal sex to transmit or contract STDs. Oral contact or even heavy petting if everyone is touching each other's genitals is enough to transfer most diseases. Not questioning your or your husband's sexual health or status before or after marriage (or your knowledge of how STDs transmit) just trying to again say research on your part is the best way to make informed decisions about your choices for you and your baby before, during and after delivery. As I mentioned before, I'm not for interventions just for warm fuzzies but I do a LOT of research and a lot of benefit to risk weighing before making any decisions. I chose not to decline the goo my second pregnancy because my husband was concerned about e Coli transfer. It caused blocked ducts and a secondary conjunctivitis infection so I will be declining it this time around (the meds can also hold bacteria near the eye as well as protect against and treat certain infections).

missphil · November 2015

I did the Strep B test the other day. My doc said they don't do it themselves on patients anymore. They handed me the wand (in a plastic wrap) and a small receptacle with fluid in it and sent me to the restroom.

TomekiaB · November 2015

My doctor waits to do Strep B closer to delivery because he wants to make sure he doesn't miss it. As PP have said strep B can just be one of many germs down there that really isn't typically a risk to the mom but can make healthy babies very sick, very fast (my friend is a pediatrician and said she's seen healthy babies become "critical" in about 6 hours from strep b exposure during birth). To me the test sounds like a regular strep throat culture just in a different location.

I also got married a virgin and trust my DH but I still don't decline STD/STI checks, because sometimes stuff happens. I know to many of my mom's friends that appeared to have super healthy christian marriages that learned a lot about their husbands during a divorce after 20+ years of marriage.

ToneGirl · November 2015

I don't understand why you would want to decline anything that is recommended by your doctor for the health and protection of both you and your baby. A little swab test is nothing compared to all you will experience giving birth! I understand educating yourself on these things but to decline just because you are uncomfortable or "think" you are safe is just ridiculous! Choosing to get pregnant comes with a whole lot of uncomfortable situations and it's really not about your feelings anymore...you are doing everything possible to protect that little baby (and your health too). Bite the bullet and do what is recommended by your doctor.

Bombmom3 · November 2015

ToneGirl said:
I don't understand why you would want to decline anything that is recommended by your doctor for the health and protection of both you and your baby. A little swab test is nothing compared to all you will experience giving birth! I understand educating yourself on these things but to decline just because you are uncomfortable or "think" you are safe is just ridiculous! Choosing to get pregnant comes with a whole lot of uncomfortable situations and it's really not about your feelings anymore...you are doing everything possible to protect that little baby (and your health too). Bite the bullet and do what is recommended by your doctor.

I agree with you to a point but we still all have our options and choices and interventions also come with risks - and a lot of times your medical team glazes over those risks or doesn't disclose them. I'm not taking about a GBS swab here but you made a blanket statement that you should just go with what they recommend. Sometimes what they recommend isn't what is needed for your particular case. I am a strong advocate for the GBS swab because I've had a GBS positive baby - mind you I have been negative on all of my swabs but she for sure had it. I am also a strong advocate for doing your research and making what you feel is the best informed choice you can for you and your baby's health. If I had not just gone with the flow and I had researched all of the potential complications my medical team declined to inform me of during my first delivery I don't think it would have ended with her in the NICU for a month and me with a through and through episiotomy, separated pubic symphysis and in a wheel chair for three weeks.

ToneGirl · November 2015

Bombmom3 said:

I don't understand why you would want to decline anything that is recommended by your doctor for the health and protection of both you and your baby. A little swab test is nothing compared to all you will experience giving birth! I understand educating yourself on these things but to decline just because you are uncomfortable or "think" you are safe is just ridiculous! Choosing to get pregnant comes with a whole lot of uncomfortable situations and it's really not about your feelings anymore...you are doing everything possible to protect that little baby (and your health too). Bite the bullet and do what is recommended by your doctor.
I agree with you to a point but we still all have our options and choices and interventions also come with risks - and a lot of times your medical team glazes over those risks or doesn't disclose them. I'm not taking about a GBS swab here but you made a blanket statement that you should just go with what they recommend. Sometimes what they recommend isn't what is needed for your particular case. I am a strong advocate for the GBS swab because I've had a GBS positive baby - mind you I have been negative on all of my swabs but she for sure had it. I am also a strong advocate for doing your research and making what you feel is the best informed choice you can for you and your baby's health. If I had not just gone with the flow and I had researched all of the potential complications my medical team declined to inform me of during my first delivery I don't think it would have ended with her in the NICU for a month and me with a through and through episiotomy, separated pubic symphysis and in a wheel chair for three weeks.

I did say that I understand doing research and knowing more about what things are done to you but I do not agree with people just not doing something because they don't feel comfortable. You can decline every single procedure/test if you wanted to but I just don't understand why. Yes the medical professionals are not always 100% correct but I took time to research and chose a professional that I trust to take proper care. If you have questions, ask the doctor but don't ask about declining an important test to internet forum because you're afraid of a swab touching your private area!

mrs14678 · November 2015

Bombmom3 said:
Not sure why you would even bother to nderstand why I would decline any procedure - that's between me and my doctor.

OP was just asking what the deal with the test was and if she could decline it. Not if you feel like she's an idiot if she does or does not take the test.

Exactly. Thanks! Sorry to stir up such a flurry of negativity! I didn't think that would happen! I wouldn't have even asked, except that there weren't any other topics about it.

I had the Group B test today.

As to my question about the goop, I will consult with my doctor, rather than people on the Internet, as he knows my situation. I was wrong to bring it up in the first place - should have known better from reading other threads about optional treatments and procedures. For that I apologize.

Mother0fDragons · November 2015

ArielleRene said:

Bombmom3 said:
Not sure why you would even bother to nderstand why I would decline any procedure - that's between me and my doctor.

OP was just asking what the deal with the test was and if she could decline it. Not if you feel like she's an idiot if she does or does not take the test.
Exactly. Thanks! Sorry to stir up such a flurry of negativity! I didn't think that would happen! I wouldn't have even asked, except that there weren't any other topics about it.

I had the Group B test today.

As to my question about the goop, I will consult with my doctor, rather than people on the Internet, as he knows my situation. I was wrong to bring it up in the first place - should have known better from reading other threads about optional treatments and procedures. For that I apologize.

So because you got straight forward answers saying that you shouldn't decline you think people are being negative and that you shouldn't have bothered to ask? Okay.

acanfield18 · November 2015

I had mine yesterday and read this thread before hand...let me tell ya, I was more than a little surprised when she slipped a q tip up my ass...I don't remember doing it with my other two pregnancies, though I'm sure I did it.. It was 6 years ago..however everyone was saying it was just a swab of the out side...nope. She actually put it in my rear...not something I was expecting or used to!

Bombmom3 · November 2015

Wow ... Never had that happen before. Normally they just swab the anus, not insert it :-S

Gingermom15 · November 2015

Were they testing you for something else as well? Maybe c-diff if you've had diarrhea? I've never heard of them inserting the swab...maybe you cohld ask your OB about that one.

nik6499 · November 2015

They swab the inside of the bagina and typically the inside of the rectum

Mother0fDragons · November 2015

sarahgn said:
Were they testing you for something else as well? Maybe c-diff if you've had diarrhea? I've never heard of them inserting the swab...maybe you cohld ask your OB about that one.

I'm sorry I had to :x

nik6499 · November 2015

Haha my phone changed it to bagina. Which is hilarious as my husband and I started calling it a bagina after a toddler said it and it was cute

Gingermom15 · November 2015

Mother0fDragons said:

sarahgn said:
Were they testing you for something else as well? Maybe c-diff if you've had diarrhea? I've never heard of them inserting the swab...maybe you cohld ask your OB about that one.
I'm sorry I had to :x

Still not as atrocious

lol

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