Group B Strep - Buckland,MA

I had group b strep with my first daughter. They administered antibiotics as soon as i went into labor and everything was fine. She had no problems from it at all. The antibiotics works very well. You'll be fine.

Hi J.,

The same thing happened to me. I didn't have it with my first but had it with my second. When I went into labor they gave me the IV antibiotics, but I really didn't get much because I had a fairly quick labor and delivery. Once she was born I didn't need it anymore - the baby and I were both fine. I wouldn't worry. It wasn't a big deal for me anyway. I wish you the best.

Jen

I was group B strep positive for both of my boys and it really wasn't a big deal! The good part is you get to go to the hospital right away when you start labor so you have enough time to get at least two rounds of antibiotics in you before the baby is born. If you have enough antibiotics in you before the baby is born there really is no risk to you or the baby! Good luck!

Hi J., I tested positive for both of my daughters. It was not a big deal. They just gave my antibiotics for a few hours before giving birth. Try not to worry about it. It is pretty routine.

I've not heard of any means to effect the bacteria.

Good luck with your birth of your daughter.

I don't have anything else to add, just that I agree you have nothing to worry about. I too tested postive for this and was told it was very common. I remember thinking that I had to make sure I told the attending doctor that I needed the antibiotic (just in case it slipped through the cracks), but I ended up having a scheduled c-section, so the antibiotic was given to me along with the other meds in my IV. I didn't give it a second thought and it wasn't a big deal. Absolutely no problems with me or the baby.

When I was pregnant with my first child 9 years ago, they didn't even test for this, so I was surprised to learn about it when I was pregnant with my son last year. I tested positive for it and they gave me antibiotics during labor. I was induced and they started the antibiotics at the same time they started the induction, they did not wait until my water broke. It really didn't seem to be a big deal and everything went just fine.

A lot of people test positive for this. We have lots of bacteria on and in our body that don't affect us because of our immune system, but our babies don't have a good immune system. It is actually better to test positive for it and get the required antibiotics then test negative and later end up having the Group Strep B. What you read online is kind of scary but don't worry about it. I did the same thing as you did, but got the antibiotics and everything was fine for me and the baby. You'll actually be asked to go in to the hospital earlier too, so that is good. It isn't anything to worry about, but it is good to know so that the doctors and nurses can take the necessary precautions.

Hi J.,

I tested positive with both of my daughters. I delivered my first daughter vaginally and was given the antibiotics; no issues. My second daughter was a c-section; again, no issues.

I can't tell you about water--certainly you want to get enough, but that goes under any circumstances. I think that the issue here would be for you not to avoid water, because that could cause problems. Just be smart about it. As far as yogurt--yes, it can help. Make sure you eat the kind with the active yogurt cultures in it as they are what benefits your efforts with the good bacteria.

Congratulations to you and good luck!

Tested Positive also. I wasn't worried at all, my doc gave me an info sheet on Group B Strep. Also 50% of the population tests positive for Group B. My sisters also did. At the hospital, I had a c-section, the antibiotics were administered during the surgery. I never even knew they were doing it. My Group B test was in my medical records, all the docs and nurses were aware of the pos. test and I was never asked about it... they knew what to do. Either your pos. or your not...no big deal. Oh, and if I remember right from anatomy class and the info sheet it is a naturally occurring bacteria (for 50% of us anyway), suppressed by our immune systems, much like yeast.

Hi!

I tested positive for Group B strep with both my pregnancies and had absolutely no problems whatsoever. I had IV antibiotics both times and with my first had an emergency C-section and with the second a scheduled C-section. I've had friends have perfectly normal vaginal deliveries without any problems with the group B strep as well. Put your mind at ease and enjoy your pregnancy! : )
Hope this helps!
Barb

I was also positive and did not manage to get much of the antibiotics before I was pushing. Essentially I did not get them. She was fine. For baby #2 I was also positive and this time did not care nor did the midwives who were going to attend the birth. I did not get antibiotics this time at all and #2 was also fine. There are lots of things to worry about with a new baby on the way/at home- and I think that unless you are worried that your baby will be born somehow immunocompromised I would not let this be one of the things to worry me!

Hi J.,
This is so common. I too tested positive for my second child but not the first. I was lucky enough to get to the hospital and have time for the two doses of antibiotics, each one took about 4 hours. My son was born in 8 hours. Everything went fine. Just get to the hospital as soon as you think you are in labor so they can get the IV started and I'm sure you will be fine. Good Luck!!

Hi J.,
It is very common to test positive. I had the same exact thing happen. I was negative for my first pregnancy and positive for the second. It does kind of make you worried at first, so I understand how you may feel. You can test differently all of the time and that is why they test so close to the end of the pregnancy. The chance of any side effects from the treatment are very slim. In my circumstance, I was worried about the baby having a reaction to the drugs because my oldest child is severely allergic to all antibiotics. All they do is treat you while in labor to protect the baby. The meds are given through IV so it goes through your system quickly and so that it reaches the baby. This is meant to treat the baby, not you. They would not normally treat you for it at all if you were not having a baby. I had such a quick delivery that I did not even receive the entire dose I was supposed to and everything was fine. I also asked my doctor about pro-biotics and she said that it may help or may not and that there has not been enough testing to her knowledge to support taking them for it. They do not typically test you again and they would still treat me with the antibiotic regardless of what I took before the delivery.
I hope this helps a little and try not to worry about it even though it may be hard. Good luck with your delivery!
C.

Don't worry this is very common a lot of people are carriers of the bacteria. I had it w/ my first and not my second. The only thing different was that after breaking my water they gave me antibiotics through my iv. My son was perfectly fine. I haven't heard anything about drinking more water or eating yogurt that would be something to discuss w/ your gyn

Not a big deal. The main issue with grp B strep during pregnancy is to catch it before the baby is born. Dr's will start antibiotics at a set/timed point before/during labor to supress it. The problems with grp B strep happen when mom's aren't tested and/or aren't treated with antibiotics "just in case" and then they deliver. Then there are a lot of risks--but for you, (since your dr's know you have it)--with antibiotics, you will be fine.

I tested positive for Group B strep with both my kids. The first one I received the antibiotics in time, but with the second I was only at the hospital for an hour before he was born. Even though they gave me the antibiotics they weren't in my system long enough (I think they needed to be there at 4 hours before the birth). As it turned out, they tested my son and found he was negative, so everything turned out fine. If he would've been positive, they would have given him antibiotics. So even if things don't work perfectly, there are other solutions and the chances of a bad outcome are still very low. Congratulations and I hope all goes well!

I tested positive for this - many many women do. Honestly no one seemed concerned and I didn't even look it up. When my water broke I went to the hospital and was put on an IV - only annoying part was that I wasn't in active labor yet. Good luck

I was in the same boat. Tested negative for my first son and then positive with my second. As so did many of my friends. They said not to be worried, just to not wait until last minute to get to the hospital/call the Dr. when you go into labor b/c you'll need to get on antibiotics. I thought I was in premature labor around 26 weeks and they put me on antibiotics for a week. It ended up clearing and I did not need to go on antibiotics again for delivery.
Don't stress about it at all. It is scary to read about b/c I did the same thing when they told me and freaked out. But it is very common.

I tested positive with my second & really it's nothing to worry about. It's fairly common & the IV antibiotics are no big deal. I would try not to stress much about it.

J.,
I have had two children while being strep B positive and am 36 weeks pregnant with my third. I can tell you that both previous deliveries have been uneventful. Everyone was healthy. I did get antibiotics as soon as I got to the hospital. My water broke with my first child, so that meant going straight to the hospital instead of doing any laboring at home. It was really not a big deal at all. I know it must sound scary, but from my experience everything worked out fine. Good luck!

Hi J.,
Try not to worry about it so much. I tested positive too and was so upset. but they give you so many antibiotics that the chances of anything happening are very small. They have also found that most woman do test positive, so it's very common.

Request to be re-tested as close to the childs birth as possible. You can even have the rapid screening test when you go to the hospital, but ask for it beforehand to make sure it is available.
Group B Strep can come and go and you dont want to take antibiotics unnecessarily. There are risks from Group B Strep, but there are also risks from having IV antibiotics. Yourself or your child could having issues with antibiotic resistance after the birth if either of you develop any kind of infection and require additional antibiotics. Also, the medical industry is now having a lot of problems with the actual GBS germ not responding to antibiotics, and this is from unnecessary over-use of antibiotics.
Also remember that although there is the potential for a severe reaction to GBS, that is extremely rare. Even if there is GBS in the birth canal, the risk of passing it on is very small. If a healthy newborn does get sick, it is usually not severe or dangerous. The biggest risk is with premature babies or sick babies with compromised immune systems.
Take any recommendation from the medical establishment with a grain of salt and EDUCATE YOURSELF about the risks and benefits of routine tests, interventions and everything else concerning birth. You will have a much more fulfilling birth experience if you know what you want and have the information to credibly ask for it.

Hi, I also tested positive. My daughter and I are fine. I received penicillin via my IV every 4hrs until my daughter was born. Her temperature was checked every 8hrs until we left the hospital. What you may read on the Internet is scary. Of course complications occur, but it's fairly common. I am sure it will be in your medical chart, but be sure to remind your healthcare providers when you arrive to the hospital. Congrats and best wishes to you!

I tested positive for Group B strep and was also a bit freaked out. I had to do a course of antibiotics during labor and everything turned out fine. I have a happy, healthy 2 year old. The only thing is that they won't let you go in the hot tub during labor... which was no big deal in the grand scheme of things. Good luck and don't worry!

I was neg with my 1st child, + with my 2nd, and - again with my 3rd. I regularly eat yogurt on a daily basis. I dont think it helps. I do not think you can change it in the 3+ weeks....

I tested positive for group B strep with my first child. I was in labor all day and went to the hospital at 3 pm. The doctor broke my water to try and speed up labor but by 10 pm I was only 4-5 cm and started having unusual contractions that were putting the baby in distress so we ended up with an emergency c-section and my son was delivered at 10:27 pm. Now, my hospital was not equiped to provide the specialized care needed for a baby who would need care for strep B. Because he was exposed to the virus for such a long period of time(4 hours) he was tested and transfered to Baystate Medical hospital by midnight. They also performed the same strep B test on him and he tested negative so he was returned to my hospital at 3 days old. Meanwhile my hospital said thier test for strep was postive and they wanted to keep him and treat him for 7 days. They were OK with the fact of providing care for an infant with an IV. The hardest thing was to be separated from my son right after his birth and not knowing what was going on. Everyone was telling me he was doing well but I didn't really feel well informed. My son was on IV treatment for 10 days total. It was very scary while he was at Baystate but I was much more relaxed when he was returned to my hospital because I felt he was out of danger at that time.

Now with my second child I tested negative but went into labor at 36 weeks and had an emergency c-section and everything was fine.

My third child I tested positive and went full term with a scheduled c-section and my son was never in any danger because he was never exposed to the virus because the bag of water was intact untill delivery.

I'd be happy to talk with you if you want to send me a PM.

Hi I have 3 children and came up positive with the last baby for strep b, went into labor at around 3am gave birth at 7am - didn't get enough antibiotics into me before giving birth, fortunately for me had no problems and neither did my beautiful baby girl !! I had to watch her but never had any problems she's 16mos now..
Good Luck to you !!

Hi J.,
Not to worry-my doctor told me it was pretty common, that is one of the reasons they test for it.

I had it while I was pregnant with my 3.5 yo daughter, and she was fine. They gave me antibiotics in the hospital through an IV, which I had to have anyway for the pitocin. Otherwise, nothing else was different.

Congratulations and good luck!
M.

Hello- I realize you already had a lot of good advice, but wanted to add in my own. I also tested positive for group B strep and was given IV antibiotics during labor. It is just precaution- even if you didn't do this, the chance of something adverse happening to baby during birth is so miniscule, I think it is only a fraction of one percent. But, the adverse reactions that can happen at that low number are serious, so it is worth it. You can always supplement with probiotics and yogurt with live cultures after you are done with the birth. You can even get some probiotic powder to put on your nipple when the baby nurses- to help establish the friendly bacteria that would have been established in his/her gut going through an un-antibiotic vaginal birth. It will help protect her from allergies and asthma.

Don't freak out! I tested positive with both my pregnancies and all was fine. With my first pregnancy, I had enough time in labor (26+hours!!!) to receive the antibiotics and my daughter had no ill effects. With my second pregnancy, my labor was under 3 hours, so not enough time for antibiotics. My son was tested and received medication after birth and he was fine as well. It was seriously such a non-event because they are able to treat it. Don't worry, and don't read too much medical stuff on the internet...it just freaks you out (trust me from personal experience of doing the same thing!). Just call you doctor and talk about your concerns with him/her. That is always the best bet.

No worries!!!! I had it, and every single one of my mama friends had it. It's really common. My dr. told me more than 50% of women have it. The IV was no problem, and no issues with me or baby. Don't stress yourself. That baby will be perfectly healthy in every way. Congrats on your future addition!

I wasn't tested positive for it, but my friend just was. She had her baby a month ago and she and the baby are just fine. Hope this puts your mind at ease.
T.

I tested positive with my son last year and it was no big deal. My Dr. told me that everyone has the bacteria off and on, and it's only a potential problem if not treated prior to a vaginal delivery. They test every pregnant woman close to delivery and treat them based on their diagnosis at that time. For me, they just started an iv when I was admitted and added antibiotics to it. I guess the only issue could be if you weren't expecting or wanting iv fluids. Hope this helps!

don't panic.. it's not the end of the world.. just don't wait to call your dr when you go into labor.. they need to get the meds into you... I had it and everything turned out fine (didn't have it the first time either).. good luck

Hey J.,

I tested positive with my first son and everything was fine. They did give me antibiotics. If they didn't tell me that I tested positive I never would have known. Try not to read internet stuff etc. Relax the last thing you want to do is induce your own labor because of stress from the results of a test. Its ok. :)