Group B Strep Positive and Stressed!

Updated on October 08, 2010
C.C. asks from Clearwater, FL
18 answers

Hi Moms -- I'm expecting our 2nd daughter and recently tested positive for Group B Strep. My first pregnance was awesome, little to no discomfort and negative for GBS. This time was a completely different story! So, they say 2nd deliveries are faster and easier -- is that true? Cause nothing has been easier with this pregnancy... and how was your experience with being positive for GBS?

I need IV antibiotics when i get to the hospital, so I am stressed about getting there with enough time to prep everything. My active labor with first child was short -- so dont want to not get the IV on time.

Please help, hearing from other moms always comforts me at times of stress....

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So What Happened?

Thank u for all the support and answers. I gave birth to my 2nd child, a day after her due date, with enought time to get the IV antibiotics. My water broke at home,then had to be induced because my contractions were not progressing. This pregnancy has been so different than the first -- and the delivery was way, way, way different. My recovery is also a lot slower this time around. But, my baby is ok and will be seeing her pediatrian tomorrow. =)

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R.W.

answers from Tampa on

My first pregnancy I was in labor from 1:00 AM until 10:59 PM the following night. My second one I went into labor around 5:00 AM and had her at 12:28 PM that day. So you can see the second one was a lot shorter than the first. My Mom had 8 of us two sets of twins. She said the twins labor was quicker than any of them but as you go they do get shorter.

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R.F.

answers from Dallas on

I was positive as well - went to the hospital around 10am in labor, and the hospital sent me home. Went back at around 3pm, and was fully dialited - they gave me an IV for the strep and I had my daughter at exactly 4pm. Perfectly healthy! So, like the others mentioned, don't stress :)

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D.H.

answers from Detroit on

I'm an OB nurse :)
GBS can be negative in one pregnancy then positive in the next....it's just something that's there in the vagina. It can't get to the baby until your water is broken...the sack protects the baby. GBS doesn't hurt you at all if you have it, but it can hurt the baby (not always hurt the baby, but sometimes). You will get a dose of penicillin (unless you're allergic), every 4 hours until you deliver. We like to see at least 1 dose given and a few hours before delivery, but prefer at least 2 doses. If you don't get it because you go too fast then we usually poke the baby for a CBC (looks at hemoglobin, white blood cells, etc.), maybe repeat it at 24 hrs of age to compare, and some pediatricians want the baby to stay for 48 hours instead of just 24.

Things will be just fine :)
D.

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

Don't worry! I was positive in my 2nd pregnancy, and as soon as you get there, they will hook you up with the antibiotics. No one can tell how fast you'll deliver, although 2nd babies are usually faster than the first, but that doesn't mean you're going to be giving birth immediately upon arriving at the hospital ;-) They know you're positive, and you need to remind them as soon as you get there and are checked in. Even if you're crowning and delivering, they will take precautions and administer antibiotics directly to the baby if they have to. It's going to be okay!

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P.M.

answers from Tampa on

Group B is in most womens normal flora/fauna - nothing really to worry about. I'd have the IV in your forearm... so that once it's done, they can easily disengage you and you will regain your ability for movement. I would NOT recommend the epidural and definitely NOT an inducement. Both of those are counter productive (as in laying down on your back) to labor.

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M.W.

answers from Orlando on

I had the very same! No worries.. They'll prob schedule your delivery around your due date (if not earlier)... since it is your 2nd pregnancy, they'll give you the epidural early (if wanted...at just a few cent. dilation - at the very same time, you'll receive the antibiotics). Just make sure to schedule at least a week or two before your actual due date :o) You and the lil' one will be fine :)

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H.N.

answers from Tampa on

You will be fine. They just give you IV antibiotic (doesnt take long to go in at all) Yes 2nd pregnancies can go fast but when you start feeling like your in labor just head to the hospital when your contracting like 7minutes apart.

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S.T.

answers from Kansas City on

I was opposite my first baby I was positive and my second was negative just make sure the first sign of anything you call your doctor and go to the hospital. Make sure the first thing you tell them when you get there is that you have strep B and need antibiotics. Good Luck

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T.B.

answers from Miami on

If you are stressed, I'm really surprised that your doctor did not explain group B strep to you. It's not something to get stressed over. I'm pregnant with my 4th child and was group B strep positive with all 3 of my children. Basically, once you are diagnosed with Group B strep, all subsequent pregnancies will be treated for group b strep as well. It's not harmful to you but can be harmful to the baby which is why antibiotics are necessary. Once you get to the hospital, do not rely on the nurses to read your paper work. Inform them the moment you get there that you are Group B strep positive and they will begin your antibiotics. It's that easy.

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M.B.

answers from Orlando on

Hi! You have nothing to be concerned about - The antibiotics go in though the same IV that you get as soon as you check in and are on that bed ready to go :o) I had heard the meds sting a bit - it wasn't true - it will change nothing about your labor process and literally takes almost no time :o) They usually use penicillin as the antibiotic, so if you have an allergy be sure to let your nurse and doctor's know ahead of time :oD

Good Luck and God Bless!

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R.C.

answers from Miami on

I had the same issue, except that I decided to go swimming in a chlorinated pool- that killed that bacteria. When I went for my final checkup, I no longer tested positive. You can also clean the area with Soverign Silver - a natural antibiotic, anti fungal, and anti viral. You can even use it while you nurse without harming the baby. It has cleared up issues for me that even antibiotics couldn't get completely. I used it to help with the beginnings of a breat infection. Knocked it out in just a few hours. It comes in a spray at Whole Foods or a health food store. So go swimming and use the Soverign Silver spray and you'll have no worries!

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B.B.

answers from Detroit on

Out of my 4 kids... only one was positive. :-)
yes, you will feel different this time... You will notice little aches and pains you didn't have last time. Why? well, your older, and already loosened up from the previous pregnancy...
When you do go into labor your body will respond faster than the first time and although it does vary for some people you should go faster...
But you may also be surprized and go way over due and need to be induced... If it does go quick, or your in the boonies and have a long way to go, the drs and nurses have dealt with the no antibiotics thing before and know what to do...
I have had to be induced at 2 weeks over due with all 4 of my kiddos... (from the time they broke the water) with 13, 10, 5 1/2, and 7 hour deliveries... babies ranging from 8 lbs 3oz to 10 lbs... :-)
I am a big believer in using the tub...
The odds of you going so fast that they don't have time to get at least one dose in is pretty low... Thats why those "baby born in car " stories make it into the papers and news... Its still a worry for us moms. I live 7 minutes from the hospital and I worried about it!!... but the odds are low.
Relax and enjoy what you can of the pregnancy... It won't be long before you can look back and say that all that worrying was for nothing (as you cuddle on your munchkin and enter a new stage of having 2 kiddos worrying) :-)

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K.H.

answers from Washington DC on

I had GBS with my first pregnancy and had to have the IV antibiotics , during my second pregnancy I tested negative for it , but still had to have the IV antibiotics as a precaution , but my labor was very fast and there was no time to get the antibiotics with the IV , so they gave the antibiotics to my daughter after delivery and she was taken to the special care unit for a couple of hours for them to keep and eye on her , once they knew all was ok she was brought back to me and we went home the next day.

As for labor and delivery being quicker , yes that is true , my first labor/delivery was 7 hrs , second was 3 hrs.

Good luck and don't worry it will be fine

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D.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

Don't stress. I have 4 kids and my 1st was the quickest, my time in labor was longer with each child and they were born further from their due date with each pregnancy. You can't always believe what you hear.

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J.M.

answers from Orlando on

I am a GBS carrier and it's really no big deal to get the dose of antibiotics. For me my labor with my second child was just as long (well, 24 hours as opposed to 25 hours) BUT the pushing phase was much shorter. My first daughter was "sunny side up" so I pushed for three hours--they were just about to do a c-section when she made her debut! My second daughter was born after just three pushes. So it was much, much easier. Good luck and try not to stress too much. BTW, if you do get there too late to get the antibiotics, they can give them to the baby directly. It's just more effective and safe if they can give it to you.

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R.B.

answers from Duluth on

I tested possitive with my third. I had to get induced within a matter of minutes because they found a blood clot in my leg...I still had plenty of time to get the antibiotics and everything turned out perfectly. They told me that transferring it to the baby is less than a 1% chance, even without the antibiotics. So stop stressing! :)

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K.M.

answers from Tampa on

Deliveries may be faster, but w/ the 2nd pregnancy you have a little one to take care of, and you did not have that the 1st time, your body gave all to have the 1st baby, and unless you were amazing in replacing all that was used, you can easily be defceint for the 2nd. And it looks as if you immune system has taken a hit.
I would go to the health food store and get their best probiotic and do major doses. Check with WestonPrice.com, and consider adding cod liver and butter oils- I think they will have where to get them, or contact me- I get them fr Pa.
All this great nutrition will help you be less stressed.
best, k

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A.P.

answers from New York on

It was my second pregnancy that I tested positive for GBS as well. I went to the hospital as soon as my water broke, so that I'd get the antibiotics. I had the heb-block I think it's called, so that after the antibiotics were administered I could be disconnected from the IV, but there was still a connection in my hand if they needed to get something to me fast. Also, my baby was healthy and fine. There were no problems. Really except for the antibiotics it shouldn't make a big difference with labor and delivery. Best wishes!

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