Positive GBS

Klittle779 · April 2016

Sorry if this was* already posted. STM and tested positive for GBS. did not with my son. Looking for others experience...just reading up on side affects for baby and completely freaked myself out... I am 37+4 and scared I won't make it to hospital in time to get antibiotics.... Any advice from other moms who've gone through this? Was baby ok?....

proudparent2b · April 2016

According to my research, your chance of passing it on without antibiotics is still only 1/200. So, worst case scenario, your odds are still pretty low.

I understand your concern though- I'm highly allergic to penicillin and don't plan to use an iv, so they better figure out another option for me that works (assuming I test positive).

kbrands7 · April 2016

I was positive last pregnancy. When my water broke, I was told to report to the hospital asap and they gave me IV antibiotics. No big deal; no harm to DS.

mumbolino · April 2016

I'm not even getting this test. You might test negative in 2 days! And even if you are positive the chances of harm for your bub are tiny! Don't panic!! ❤️

JoMunson · April 2016

My midwife told me that everyone has GBS in their system and to them it's not that scary- 20 minutes of antibiotics and you reduce the chance of giving it to your baby by 80%! They aren't even having me come to the birth center early if I am positive. I think it's something that sounds scary (and definitely is if your baby gets it) but they've really nailed down how to save lots of babies!

Rawa1416 · April 2016

Lurking from June 2016. @mumbolino I seriously beg you to change your mind. Chances are 1 in 4,000 of passing it to baby if you get antibiotics but 1 in 200 if you don't. Group b strep is highly dangerous for your baby with it being the leading cause of meningitis and pneumonia. Both of which can kill your baby if not treated and neither of them often show symptoms. Personally, that's not a risk I'm willing to take just to avoid a simple test. Not trying to scare you into making the decision but I do want you to be aware of the risks you are taking by not getting the test. Here is some more info. https://www.cdc.gov/groupbstrep/about/fast-facts.html

JennyS86 · April 2016

To the OP, if you are delivering in a hospital with a nicu, most have policies that if you don't get the antibiotics "in time" before delivery, they will monitor your LO for 48 hrs to make sure he/she doesn't show signs of sepsis.

The good thing is that you know that you are gbs positive, so you are more likely to make it to the hospital in time. It does happen from time to time that moms deliver very quickly, but generally, the antibiotics are given in enough time. Good Luck and don't stress!

lionstigersbears · April 2016

proudparent2b said:

According to my research, your chance of passing it on without antibiotics is still only 1/200. So, worst case scenario, your odds are still pretty low.

I understand your concern though- I'm highly allergic to penicillin and don't plan to use an iv, so they better figure out another option for me that works (assuming I test positive).

Also allergic to penicillin. I was negative last time but had I been positive my midwives/hospital would require another antibiotic (forget which one) but it requires more time.

Klittle779 · April 2016

Thanks for all the words of kindness ladies. I really appreciate it. Reading anything on the Internet is such a game. Adds to steady stress and anxiety we feel. Thanks again

That1didntcount · April 2016

lionstigersbears said:

proudparent2b said:

According to my research, your chance of passing it on without antibiotics is still only 1/200. So, worst case scenario, your odds are still pretty low.

I understand your concern though- I'm highly allergic to penicillin and don't plan to use an iv, so they better figure out another option for me that works (assuming I test positive).

Also allergic to penicillin. I was negative last time but had I been positive my midwives/hospital would require another antibiotic (forget which one) but it requires more time.

Allergic as well. Had GBS last time, my ob actually sent in a sample so she could ensure the antibiotic I was treated with would treat the particular strain I had (it did take longer to administer). I know I have a higher chance of having it again, and will get the antibiotic to treat it.

Klittle779 · April 2016

That1didntcount said:

lionstigersbears said:

proudparent2b said:

According to my research, your chance of passing it on without antibiotics is still only 1/200. So, worst case scenario, your odds are still pretty low.

I understand your concern though- I'm highly allergic to penicillin and don't plan to use an iv, so they better figure out another option for me that works (assuming I test positive).

Also allergic to penicillin. I was negative last time but had I been positive my midwives/hospital would require another antibiotic (forget which one) but it requires more time.

Allergic as well. Had GBS last time, my ob actually sent in a sample so she could ensure the antibiotic I was treated with would treat the particular strain I had (it did take longer to administer). I know I have a higher chance of having it again, and will get the antibiotic to treat it.

I am also allergic as well. Which made me more anxious-Thanks for putting my mind at ease though

mumbolino · April 2016

@Rawa1416
I do see whereyou are coming from. However, I have done lots of reading about this and I am confident that I have weighed the pros and cons for my individual situation carefully.
Even if the mom is positive at the time of birth, less than 3 per cent of babies get any problems, and if they do, they will get antibiotics. Many women at the hospital where I will give birth decline this test, and nobody is fussed about it (not even the doctors or midwifes). I don't want my baby exposed to antibiotics if it's not necessary .
I think it's important to get the info and then, based on that, decide. And I am 100% sure, no matter what everyone here comes up with as a conclusion, we all have the best intentions for our babies, so I am by no means judging anyone who gets the test or the antibiotics. I just wanted to put it out there that you do have a valid choice and you can decline, that is all :-)

Edited to say: I am not declining to avoid the swab for myself, i am declining to avoid my baby getting potentially unnecessary antiobiotics.

baby-2-due · April 2016

Got my test result back for this today and also tested positive. I had already told my dr I was refusing to get an IV when I got to the hospital for delivery, I guess I'll have to eat my words and accept the fact I'll have to get one now. I'm glad this thread is her, because everything I look at online has some conflicting information about outcomes and percentages. I guess my question is, just because I have it right now will I have it in four to 5 weeks when I deliver? But I guess i won't chance it.

helleebellee · April 2016

Maybaby0519 said:

Got my test result back for this today and also tested positive. I had already told my dr I was refusing to get an IV when I got to the hospital for delivery, I guess I'll have to eat my words and accept the fact I'll have to get one now. I'm glad this thread is her, because everything I look at online has some conflicting information about outcomes and percentages. I guess my question is, just because I have it right now will I have it in four to 5 weeks when I deliver? But I guess i won't chance it.

This is why I wish they would do a rapid test! I know some places have some sort of rapid test, but they don't here. I don't understand how they can go off a test from 4-5 weeks previously when results could changed daily.

mumbolino · April 2016

Maybaby0519 said:

Got my test result back for this today and also tested positive. I had already told my dr I was refusing to get an IV when I got to the hospital for delivery, I guess I'll have to eat my words and accept the fact I'll have to get one now. I'm glad this thread is her, because everything I look at online has some conflicting information about outcomes and percentages. I guess my question is, just because I have it right now will I have it in four to 5 weeks when I deliver? But I guess i won't chance it.

You might be positive my the time you give birth! That's my problem with this test... And the reason why they don't test all women for gbs in other countries (you can either test all women which is being done in the us ( from what I read! I might be wrong ) or in Australia - or risk-based testing ( only certain women) in other countries fir example some countries in Europe. There already are some rapid tests which can be used when you come in to give birth. You could ask your care provider if they have anything like that which would provide you with a more reliable result?

JennyS86 · April 2016

Maybaby0519 said:

Got my test result back for this today and also tested positive. I had already told my dr I was refusing to get an IV when I got to the hospital for delivery, I guess I'll have to eat my words and accept the fact I'll have to get one now. I'm glad this thread is her, because everything I look at online has some conflicting information about outcomes and percentages. I guess my question is, just because I have it right now will I have it in four to 5 weeks when I deliver? But I guess i won't chance it.

It is possible that you might test negative in a few weeks, but I don't think most practices test again - they just go with the positive result.

If your OB is agreeable, you can get the IV antibiotic (generally penicillin), and then be disconnected from your IV for the rest of the time. For example, you'd be hooked up for 30 min, then disconnected for 3.5 hrs until the next dose is due.

dsmith211 · April 2016

JennyS86 said:

Maybaby0519 said:

Got my test result back for this today and also tested positive. I had already told my dr I was refusing to get an IV when I got to the hospital for delivery, I guess I'll have to eat my words and accept the fact I'll have to get one now. I'm glad this thread is her, because everything I look at online has some conflicting information about outcomes and percentages. I guess my question is, just because I have it right now will I have it in four to 5 weeks when I deliver? But I guess i won't chance it.

It is possible that you might test negative in a few weeks, but I don't think most practices test again - they just go with the positive result.

If your OB is agreeable, you can get the IV antibiotic (generally penicillin), and then be disconnected from your IV for the rest of the time. For example, you'd be hooked up for 30 min, then disconnected for 3.5 hrs until the next dose is due.

This is what my birth center does so you don't have to be connected the whole time. So it is an option.

wamam027 · April 2016

dsmith211 said:

JennyS86 said:

Maybaby0519 said:

Got my test result back for this today and also tested positive. I had already told my dr I was refusing to get an IV when I got to the hospital for delivery, I guess I'll have to eat my words and accept the fact I'll have to get one now. I'm glad this thread is her, because everything I look at online has some conflicting information about outcomes and percentages. I guess my question is, just because I have it right now will I have it in four to 5 weeks when I deliver? But I guess i won't chance it.

It is possible that you might test negative in a few weeks, but I don't think most practices test again - they just go with the positive result.

If your OB is agreeable, you can get the IV antibiotic (generally penicillin), and then be disconnected from your IV for the rest of the time. For example, you'd be hooked up for 30 min, then disconnected for 3.5 hrs until the next dose is due.

This is what my birth center does so you don't have to be connected the whole time. So it is an option.

This is a great idea! I came back positive so they're going to hook me up to some ampicillin once I get to the hospital. I was kind of bummed that I'll have to have my friend the IV pole follow me everywhere, but I hadn't thought of this; I'll have to ask about it at my next appointment.

baby-2-due · April 2016

@dsmith211 I will be discussing this with my dr on Thursday. She already contacted me to tell me I'll have to have penicillin administered during labour and said we would discuss it further at my next appointment. Before anyone posted about this I had never even heard of it so it was a shock to test positive for it and SO was confused by it and asked if he needs antibiotics too. I'm so glad for this feed and the feedback

thanks ladies!

nbgmom · April 2016

At the hospital where I work, if mom doesn't get at least 2 doses of the antibiotic, the baby has to go to the special care nursery (nicu) and I believe the baby then gets an IV and antibiotics.

When we have moms allergic to penicillin, we give vancomycin instead, but the dose is either every 8 hours or every 12 instead of every 4 with the penicillin

katelynwest · April 2016

My husband had B strep when he was born 25 years ago. They didn't test back then.
You will make it in time! But heaven forbid you don't, baby will spend some time in the NICU, receiving antibiotics and watched closely. My husband spent his first 5 days there and went home perfectly fine. He is still SUPER healthy. ☺️ It's normal to be worried for your child (cool how mommy instincts start even before LO is born) but try to relax and trust that the doctors have knowledge and power to do something! That's why they test nowadays. ❤️

JoMunson · April 2016

I just got the word I tested positive. The midwives were very nice, the only things that really change for me is I get periodic antibiotics (but don't have to be hooked to an IV the whole time), I have 4 hours between water breaking and labor starting or I have to go into the hospital to have the baby, and I stay at the birth center for 12 hours instead of 4-6. But I still cried in my car. I know it's a naturally occurring bacteria and there isn't much you can do about it, but for some reason I feel a little like my mom card is going to be taken or something.

slfezz · April 2016

I found out i tested positive today. Also tested positive for DD2. It wasn't a big deal for me since I already planned on an IV and hospital birth. For DD2, I was induced so it is as just added to the same line as to pitocin I didn't even notice it. I hope to start naturally with this one but plans for an epidural so I'll have to be hooked up for fluids anyway so it will probably be the same overall.

Want a personalized experience?

Positive GBS

Re: Positive GBS

Choose Another Board

Search Boards