Diagnosed with GBS (Group B Staph)

Hi L.,
Ok, first: stay calm! You and your baby will be fine. You will get antibiotics during labor (they want you to arrive at first sign of labor and get started on those meds.).

GBS is pretty common and it colonizes in the gut. It's one of those things that you can test positive for one week and negative the next(I'm not explaining it properly-I have mommy brain).

Since you tested positive and will be getting antibiotics, the next (small)worry is yeast infections and thrush. Just talk to your doctor. Consider doing some more GBS research on natural childbirth websites.....they are sensible and not scary. You can learn about how diet and homeopathy can make your gut less hospitable to GBS, if you plan on having more babies after this DS.

DON'T WORRY! You and baby will be fine.

Hi L.,

I also tested positive w/ 2 out of my 4 pregnancys. And just like you, I was so worried, and not sure how I got it, etc. I delivered healthy and normal children, although you should make sure your doctor knows if you are allergic to any type of antibiotics. I also was told it isn't " contracted " , you either have it or you don't. Don't stress out too much over this. I'm sure you will both be fine. Best wishes.

Hey! I had my son 5 months ago and i was also positive for GBS. its nothing to be concerned about just when you go into labor make sure you tell the drs/nurses that our positive and make sure they hook you up wih an IV and they will give you the meds for it. as long as you get that you should be fine. I had no complications with it. Good luck and congrats!!!

i guess i must have missed the memo on all the complications it could cause. i was diagnosed with gbs when i was pregnant with my son. the doc gave me antibiotics when i was in labor, and that was it. i gave birth to a perfectly healthy baby.

my only advice would be to make sure that when you register at the maternity ward that they are aware (and they should be if the nurses/your doc is doing the paperwork properly).

so no worries. i hope that helps.

rah

I take a probiotic every other day because I too am positive. I eat Yogurt that is organic and unflavored and have had to cut out sugar like crazy. You can get an organic probiotic with a money back gaurantee at
www.we-us.mychoices.biz. Just put it in the search engine. I too was shocked that I had MRSA, got it at the gym. It is a huge problem in that area and I had to have minor surgery because I thought whatever it was it would just heal up. So for all moms, put down a blanket or towel from HOME when you workout or take the babies to class. Precautions are easier than solutions.

Hi L.! COngratulations on your upcoming baby (soon!). I'm expecting my 6th baby and with my 4th I was surprised to learn that I was Group B Strep positive. I've learned that quite a few women have it and that it's not harmful to me. Also, the levels of the bacteria inside you can vary from week to week, but all that matters is what the bacteria leveles are right at the time of delivery. So, with every subsequent pregnancy I know I'm going to get antibiotics with an IV infusion during my labor and delivery. I don't believe you can be cured of it. Optimally, you should receive your meds 4 hours before delivery, but even just 1/2 hour before delivery would be sufficient. Oral antibiotics are of minimal help, and you shouldn't bother with them because they are not as potent as IV meds, and you could vomit up the pills during labor. With my last two babies I did deal with thrush and it was not fun. Nystatin oral suspension did not really help. A friend told me to get probiotic capsules from Trader Joes and put the powder from those on the white spots that will probably develop on my baby's mouth on the inside cheeks. Ask your pediatrician how to spot thrush in your baby's mouth so that you can deal with it immediately. If your breastfeeding, you need to treat your breasts as well with an antifungal (consult a lactation consultant in the hopital for that advice.) Good luck! Both my babies were very healthy and I'm sure my next one will be, too. L. T

The bacteria that causes group B strep normally lives in the intestine, vagina, or rectal areas. Group B strep colonization is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Approximately 15-40% of all healthy women carry group B strep bacteria. For most women there are no symptoms of carrying the GBS bacteria .NO TREATMENT NEEDED IF ASYMPTOMATIC AND NOT PREGNANT.HOWEVER ALL PREGNANT MOM WILL BE CHECKED 35-37 WEEKS GESTATION FOR THIS BACTERIA TO PREVENT PROBLEM FOR THE BABY.THE STANDARD OF CARE IS TO GIVE iv ANTIBIOTIC TO ALL +GBS MOMS IN LABOR.YOU SHOULD TAKE COPY OF YOUR RECORDS TO l&d when you are in labor and nurses are trained and know what to do by reviewing your records including any allergy to meds.please relax and enjoy the last few weeks of your pregnancy.your baby will be fine.in so many years as ob/gyn np I have only seen two sick baby because both moms did not have prenatal care and deliverd in ER and no time for antibiotic to be given.good luck.

its just a bacteria that lives in the vagina. yes it can be serious if it gets passed to your baby. but your dr knows exactly what to do. you will most likely get induced so they can assure that you get your meds in time. its good that you are reading up on the topic. just try not to stress too much about it and if you have more questions call your dr they will be the best person to talk to! good luck hope your labor goes smoothely!