Group B Strep - Willowbrook,IL

I tested positive for Group B strep as well. The only thing they did for me was give me antibiotics through an IV when I was in labor so that I didn't pass it on to my baby, (I had a vaginal delivery). My baby never got it. I don't believe that it is anything for you to worry about. Some good web sites that I look at are www.webmd.com or www.parentcenter.com. The first website can answer most any medical question you have. Best Wishes

I just read the responses. I tested positive with two of my three pregnancies. My doctor gave antibiotics during labor and delivery for all three because I had tested positive for the others.

The only thing I find strange is I've never heard of taking antibiotics for it so early!? I wouldn't put anything into my body that I didn't absolutely have to at 8 weeks PG!

Seconding what everyone else has already said, this is very common and not to worry. I tested positive with my 2nd pregnancy. Because my first labor had been very quick (under 3 hrs) my OB recommended that I come to the hospital as quickly as possible once labor started with the 2nd because the antibiotics need to drip for 4 hours. I went to labor & delivery right away, but they still ended up needing to slow down my labor to get the whole 4 hours in. It was no big deal, though - once the antibiotics were in, everything went just fine and both my baby and I were completely healthy. So, don't stress about this - it's completely normal and shouldn't have any lasting effect for you or your baby.

This is waaaaay too early for you to be checked for this. Yes, it is no big deal. Putting you on antibiotics now is completely unecessary. Very common for women to have this present in the vaginal tract. You are not ill or at risk

Please read up on ways to rid your vaginal tract of this before you are tested again. You should be checked for beta strep at about 37 weeks.

I wouldn't worry at all. They will do this test again when you are closer to delivery. I am surprised they even gave you anything now for it. the only problem with strep b is if you have a vaginal delivery without antibiotics. So if you still have it closer to delivery they won't want you to wait super long at home.. they have to give you Penicillin every 4 hours till you give birth. This protects the baby from it. You can just pick it up anywhere.. and it does no harm to YOU at all. =)

I had it with my first, not with my second.

email if you need more info or want to talk...

my girlfriend has this too. she has had it thru all three of her pregs. the doctor should have told you that everything will be just fine. the dr. will induce because you have to start antibiotics before you deliver, them need to be totally thru you system before the can induce. once this is done then baby will not have a chance to get it during delivery, and will not have at all. yes you will always have it but will only pose a problem when in delivery. i hope this helps, everything will be fine. good luck!

First let me say relax it really is no big deal as long as it is treated! All women have Group Strep B to some degree it just depends if it is active or not. You have done nothing wrong and It won't affect your health!! And it does go away. I tested neg with my first daughter, pos with my second daughter and agan neg with my son. So it does go away! When I had Makayla all they did for me was put me on antibiotics during labor. They want it to be in your system at least 4 hours before you deliver. They can also give you antibiotics well before labor as well I guess it depends on the doctor. Makayla was born fin with no problems! She could be healthier!
As far as you the only thing that will happen is the antibiotics. This doesn't cause any harm to you just baby if left untreated! So be thankful that it was caught. ( They test all pg women around 36 weeks ) Ajnd try not to worry! If I cna help you with anything else e-mail me @ ____@____.com! Good Luck

Hi Tricia,
As the others moms have siad, it is very common, about 30% of women test positive. It is healthy bacteria that lives in your skin, commonly in the vaginal area. But if it goes somewhere it does not belong, like your bladder, it can cause a urinary tract infection. That is why you are getting antibiotics now. But you will receive IV antibitics during labor to protect your baby. Oral antibiotics are adequate to treat the UTI, but do not produce a high enough blood level to protect your baby at delivery. Your doctor will not need to do the typical vaginal swab at the end of pregnancy if you have a positive urine culture early on, you are considered to be group B strep positive for this pregnancy and will be treated appropriately during labor. Good luck with the rest of the pregnancy, S.

More reassurance as the other responses have mentioned. I had group B strep with my first pregnancy and with my second they didn't even test me. They just assumed the chance it may be there. I only had the antibiotics while in labor as well. Both my births were vaginal and came out fine. I am pregnant with my third and expecting the same. Don't freak out and I would check with your doctor to see if the antibiotics are really necessary now. Good luck. :)

I also had it with my first pregnancy. The general procedure is to give you IV penicillin or ampicillin just before delivery (haven't heard of anyone giving it earlier). It's no big deal. The group B streptococcus bacteria is just part of the normal bacteria in some women's bodies, and the antibiotics are just a precaution to prevent infection in the baby. As you're going to have the bacteria in your vagina,etc nearing delivery, they will probably give you the antibiotics at that time as well.

this is a good site to check as well..
http://www1.iwon.com/home/parenting/parenting_article/0,1...

Dear Tricia,
About 25% of the population is a GBS carrier...not to worry. Antibiotics during labor and delivery is the appropriate treatment to guard the baby against the possibility of acquiring a GBS related infection. Back in the olden days (when I had my children..18 years ago) they did not even check for GBS. The American Medical Association of Pediatricians, however, has mandated the test and treatment since there is a chance~however slight~ of complications from the GBS. We are a group of Certified Nurse Midwives, Midwest Midwifery, who deliver out of Alexian Brothers hospital. We follow the protocol as does any other office. We have delivered 2000 babies, and have never had a problem attributed to GBS. Good luck to you. And should you want to know your prenatal and labor and delivery care options, check out this office! These women are phenomenal!
Warm regards,
D.
Office Manager
Midwest Midwifery
____@____.com
www.midwestmidwifery.com

Ditto to the other 2 responses. I had to be sure to go to the hospital early enough for 2 bags of IV antibiotics before my delivery, but otherwise, no worries. My doula suggested that I start taking acidophilus about a week before my expected delivery and at least a week after to prevent a yeast infection.

Hi Tricia!

Everyone's advice here is pretty much what I'm about to offer - during labor your Dr. should administer the antibiotic through an IV prior to delivery. Please bring it up to the nurses and other residents, because sometimes they dont read the charts. Don't worry too much about how you got it, sometimes it's one of those things that can't be pinpointed exactly (there are a few reasons why it comes about).

Also, I was diagnosed with having Group B Strep in my 1st pregnancy but during my 2nd pregnancy the Dr.'s said that I didnt have it. I'm quite sure that my 1st Dr.'s office screwed my records up (I ended up leaving them) and gave me someone else's results because they also gave me the wrong due date - wrong by 2 months!

So make sure that you get accurate info. And please dont worry - you and your baby will be just fine. Good Luck.

Not to worry!!! I had Strep B w/ all 3 of my kids, and they gave me the antibiotic, and an IV while in labor. It is very common to have. Good luck w/ your pregnancy.