Gbs Testing

The number of babies who get sick from GBS is incredibly low. Do research on this bacteria and how rarely it affects babies. A client I worked with several years ago collected a huge volume of data on GBS and in the end, after comparing studies with studies, her conclusion was treating GBS is a big roll of the dice.
I am a home birth midwife and for my clients I offer the option of transferring care to the hospital for IV antibiotics, get them in to a a doctor for a prescription for oral antibiotics to be taken prior to and during labor, a shot of antibiotics that is long-lasting so it will cover the baby for about 40 days, or for moms who want to do something but refuse antibiotics, there is a protocol of natural methods for getting rid of the strep.

In Europe, they have the GBS+ mom do an internal wash with Hibicleanse before birth and they have had great success with this treatment option. Of course, in Europe, they don't treat every single GBS+ mother, either. They only treat when there are two or more risk factors. The only time they treat for a single risk factor is if the woman has a UTI that cultures positive for GBS, because it's believed to be systemic.

I'm throwing this information out there for you so that you know that there's so much more to research on this topic.

I did a homebirth and waterbirth, and my midwife was comfortable even with a positive GBS if we wiped the baby's face with a treatment solution as it came out of the water. No antibiotics needed.
She was pretty flexible about a lot of things (I wanted a very hands off birth) but really felt it some precaution was needed if the test came back positive, which, I am glad, it did not.
You did not mention how far along you are. I have heard about some ladies retesting negative...some after doing some holistic healing stuff at home. If you have time, you might try some steps to see if you can retest negative.
As you might imagine, GBS is one of those things that more developed countries have the time and resources to worry about. It is not dangerous to baby until delivery...not pregnancy. It is more dangerous to weaker babies, as you can guess, since many women carry this bacteria somewhere. High urinary levels indicate a more serious issue.
You might look at IV antibiotics much like continuous electronic fetal monitoring...controversial in that it may cause more problems for some women and babes in the long run. Yes, it saves and helps some, but at what price?
If nothing else, think about how antibiotic overuse has driven up some kinds of infections. (I believe I have read about this side effect of IV antibiotics for GBS specifically...can't remember where, but on internet) Some say breastfeeding may be affected, as thrush is more common after the antibiotics.
I'd be asking about the pros and cons. It is unlikely you will find this research a "one stop shopping trip". Sorry.

I tested positive w/ it myself w/ my 4th child. I had a nephew who died within 6 wks of birth because the Dr office forgot to put it in the mom's chart that she tested positive. The antibiotics are not a big deal. I don't know how fast you delivered your last 3 children, I delivered very quickly (almost had babies #2 & 3 in the car on the way to the hospital) and had to make sure I allowed ample time for the antibiotics to take their course before I delivered. The pro's outweigh the con's!!

GBS is a natural occuring bacteria that can be passed to the baby during a vaginal delivery. It is possible and common to test neg in one pregnancy and pos in the next and vice versa. If you are oppose to the IV antibiotics, you can be restested again closer to delivery. It is also possible to test positive at 36ish weeks and test neg a couple weeks later. Ultimately it really isn't a big deal and the outcome is a healthy baby. Good luck.

Group B Strep is quite common and unfortunately, if left untreated, could cause blindess in your child. So it's a very good idea to make sure you are at the hospital early so that you can get both sets of antibiotics.

Good luck,
C.
Mom to 10 day old Sarah Elizabeth

I tested positive with all 4 of my pregnancies. I was given antibiotics while in labor, but twice I was only able to receive one dose because my labors were so fast. The doses have to be 4 hours apart. Even one dose is better than nothing. GBs does not harm us, but can be fatal to a baby. It can be passed to them as they are born. When I only received 1 dose, we spent 2 days in the hospital instead of one. This was just to watch the baby and make sure they did not develop GBs. Babies can develop symptoms very quickly. The decision to stay longer was made by the pediatrician. Some pediatricians do not keep you longer. I did not pass GBs to any of my babies. I woulnd't worry because knowing you are positive means the docs will be on the look out. Should the baby get it, they can treat the baby right away and that's important. Good luck. Congratulations Mom!

Group B strep is a routine test that has been done for years. Infants that are exposed during labor and delivery can contract this bacteria and can be very sick with significant morbidity and mortality even. The other postings are right that we test positive or negative at different times. The latest studies show that if you are positive in your urine that you absolutely are colonated and need treatment during labor and deliver. Talk to your Dr and he/she will be glad to sit and talk to you about this. I am so happy for you to be able to have your fourth child. Congratulations!

It's more common that you think and it's really no big deal. When you're in labor, they will give you antibiotics. Make sure you go to the hospital early enough in your labor that you have time to get them. The antibiotics ensure that the baby isn't infected with the GBS while traveling thru the birth canal. The bacteria isn't in your gut....it's in your vagina. I had it, got the drugs and both of my kids were fine. With my second, my water even broke before I had labor pains and I was able to get the drugs with plenty of time. The hospital did keep my kids and me an extra day to ensure they weren't infected and they weren't. Not a big deal. Don't stress. Good luck and congrats!

I tested positive with my first daughter and i stressed about it. My doctor reassured me that it was very common. He said 1 in 4 women test positive got GBS. With my first I was induced so I got the two iv's before they did the induction.

WIth my second they didnt even test me, they said since I was once a carrier they would always consider me one and I would have to get the iv antibiotics. I went into labor naturally with my second daughter. I labor very quickly so as soon as my waters ruptured I went straight to the hospital. it was a quick 4 hour labor and they were not able to get all the doses in me but they did get one bag in. The dr told me everything would be fine and worse comes to worse the baby might need some meds but they just kept me one extra day to monitor her and she was fine and healthy.

Learn from me, dont stress about it. its very common and the hospital and drs will know what to do.

good luck and congratulations!!!

You are right. It's just another bateria that lives in our intestines and is not harmful to us. It is only harmful during birth to our babies.

I didn't have it with my first one but I tested positive with the second. Same with my sister in law, she didn't have it with her first two but then her third she did. NOt sure why we all became positive after having other children.....?????? Not really sure how you get it.

It's not big deal, honestly if they hadn't told me I had it, I wouldn't even have noticed a difference at the hospital. Nothing is different at the hospital other than they pump an additional med in your IV and they have to make sure you've had the drug a certain amount of time before you can deliver. That's it. No big scene, or tests or issues. Since it is your fourth, you may deliver quicker than if it was your first. I would ask your doctor about that. I am sure they are prepared and have a solution.

If you are allergic to Penicillin, let them know and they will give you an alternative.

No big deal at all.

Good luck.

Hi M.,

I saw the other posting and read many of the responses but I thought that I would add mine since this is your fourth pregnancy and her first. I tested positive with my first pregnancy and ended up in labor for 18 hours so administering the penicillin was a piece of cake with absolutely no complications. I was told that I would probably be administered penicillin with my second child but was given the test at 36 weeks anyways. To make a long story short, I went into labor 1 day shy of 37 weeks and it was a race to make it to the hospital. I knew that I wasn't going to be able to get an epidural let alone an IV for administering the penicillin so my first question was what my test results were. Thank God that they were negative because we made it to the hospital at 4:20 and I delivered at 4:58. Anyway, please talk to your doctor if all of your pregnancies have been vaginal vs. scheduled c-sections and if you have a history of delivering quickly.

I tested positive with my first child and am now pregnant with my second. I had the two IV infusions while in labor before my daughter was born. My advice for that to you is to make sure that they get both infusions before you deliver as that is most important for the safety of the baby. An example of what happenede to me was at one point a resident came in to "check me" for progress and she said she'd like to break my bag of water. I told her no as I thought I was progressing fine and had not yet received my 2nd infusion. My doc came in a short while later and said that I was right to say no, as I had not received that 2nd bag of meds. Once it was in, she did break my bag of water. I also made sure that I was not checked too often to reduce the possibility of infection to the baby. My baby and I were totally fine.

I asked my doc about this time, and she said we'll test again and it may be negative this time. She said that GBS positive rates rise and fall over time, there's nothing that the mother does to cause or "catch" this and it sounded to me like it was luck of the draw. I was stressed when I first heard, but it all worked out fine. Just make sure you advocate for yourself when you are in labor. Good luck!

I also tested positive for it and was told it was pretty common. I almost opted not to have the antibiotics b/c I'm not overly thrilled with them in general, but then my OB said that while it is rare for complications to occur, he had one baby die the previous year from it, right after delivery. So I decided that one dose of antibiotics would be worth it to avoid that. If you do the antibiotics, it isn't a big deal. My baby and I are fine now.

During my second pregnancy I tested positive for GB. I was a little worried at first because I did not have it with my first child. I was told that you could have it for one and then not for the other and you may get it again if you have another. It is something that can come and go. I was given antibiotics during my labor but I did not recieve the full dose because my labor proceded so quickly. Since I did not get the full dose they watched my little one a bit closer and I believe they gave her a little medication. When we left the hospital they gave me a list of symptoms to watch for in my daughter as a procautionary measure. But it was a very low key thing and was really no big deal, even though when I first heard about it I was a little freaked. Just make sure to let your nurses know that you tested positive for it incase all your information is not there., and try to go in early if you know you have fast labors to try to get the whole dose, but remember if you don't it is still okay. Any amount of antibiotics helps and they have measure and things if you don't get the full dose. Good luck and try not to worry about it, it rally is not something to get all worried about.

i tested positive with my third only. i had to have antibiotics. i birthed with a midwife at a birth center and they were much more relaxed about it. but the antibiotics are necessary.

When I was tested for GBS, my doctor told me it is very very common and about 60% of people carry this. It's not that big of a deal to get an IV injection of antibiotics during pregnancy, since they already give you an IV of fluids anyway. I even ended up having to get the IV stuff twice because I went into labor early, but they stopped me the first time.