I have Group B Strep and I am just trying to understand what this means for me. I tested negative while pregnant and therefore did not have antibiotics for my daughter's birth. Several months after giving birth, however, I tested positive for group B strep. The midwife prescribed a cream and the problem seemed to improve for awhile. Since then, however, it has come back. The primary symptom is just a clear to milky colored discharge. It is more of a nuisance than anything, as I feel I have to wear a panty liner due to the added moisture. But there is no real itching or pain during sex...and the midwife says not to do anything more unless these other symptoms appear. Is there any explanation for why I once was negative and now have a seemingly interminable problem? Is this likely to mean that in a future pregnancy I would need antibiotics for the birth? My midwife indicated that group B strep is really not well understood and that they don't think it is sexually transmitted. She also said it can't be gotten rid of! That's a pretty limited explanation and I am confused! Anybody out there know about this? Thanks!
Hi, E. - Try Googling "Strep B"; lots of good info there. Looks to me like treatment with IV antibiotics is recommended, whether you are pregnant or not! Good luck.
apparently it comes and goes really easily, which is why they wait so long in the pregnancy to test you for it, because they used to do it at 20-something weeks, and some women who were pos then were neg by labor, and vice versa. No other info to help, just wanted to add that detail for you.
I'm not a nurse or anything, but I was negative at my first delivery, but then a few days later I got really sick, a high fever, pain while urinating, and I went to get tested for a UTI, but it was GBS. I was then positive for my second delivery, but from what I understand, that was just coincidental timing. The nurse told me that most women who have the infection walk around with it with no symptoms, and don't even realize it. Anyway, when I was sick, I had penicillin, so if it's bugging you, you could ask for that. It took away the symptoms, but I as I went back to be tested, I continued to be positive. I finally just stopped going back in to be tested because I felt fine again. Good Luck.
I am an L&D RN and just want to reiterate that jsut because you have it now does not neccesarily mean you will have it in your next pregnancy. We have patients who have GBS in one delivery, but not in subsequent (or previous) deliveries. Some OB/CNM/hospitals may treat with antibiotics anyway if you have ever had it, but not at my hospital or any OB or midwife I work with.
I was positive for child number 3 (and on IV antibitoics during labor/delivery) and negative for child number 4, so it seems it comes and goes. They recommended I be on IV antibiotics during labor for the 4th, even though I was negative "just in case". I had the IV anyway, so said "why not".
I tested positive when my first son was born. They gave me IV antibiotics during labor. I also had IV abx for my second son. That is the only way to treat it. It is not supposed to cause any health risks to you, but if the symptoms are bothersome you may want to ask about the antibiotics. Good Luck!
Hi E.,
This is completely normal in women. Yes, you will have to have antibiotics during delivery if you have another child. If you do not get antibiotics and the baby gets sick, those babies are extremely sick. I am a NICU nurse, and if mom isn't treated prior to delivery, they will treat the baby after delivery which requires an IV. It isn't thought to be sexually transmitted, most women either have it or don't. And once you test positive for it, you will not test negative. It's just a normal flora in that area of your body.
I tested positive with both my pregnancies, but never had any symptoms. Since I had c-sections, it didn't really change anything, but if you're having a vaginal delivery after testing positive you'll need antibiotics so the baby doesn't pick it up in the birth canal. The only things I know about it are that it's harmless to the mom and no one really know why some people have it and others don't, and why sometimes it will show up and other times it won't. I would just follow your midwife's advice, and if you get pregnant again, they'll certainly test you and do what needs to be done to keep the baby safe. Good luck!
im sorry i dont know anything about it but i would say to get an oral antibiotic if the cream isnt helping. i'd also use condoms just in case. it may not be "contagious" but you might pass on some kind of infection to your husband. until you find out otherwise from a few different sources its better safe than sorry.
It's something that otherwise healthy women can carry and sometimes it flares up, so you can host it and not have an active case. Only really impacts the baby at the end when it's time to be born. That's why they test at the end of your pregnancy. It wasn't a big deal for me. I was put on antibiotics while in labor and both of us were fine.
Hi E.,
I am a nurse in a CNM practice. GBS is always growing in our GI tracts. Sometimes it overgrows in the vaginal area and causes odor, increased discharge or irritation. If the antibiotic cream you used didn't clear the infection up completely you can request an oral antibiotic. An IV antibotic is only used during delivery.
Outside of pregnancy and childbirth GBS is just a nusance and not to be too worried about unless it is bothering you. Your current infection in NOT an indicator that you will need treatment during your next delivery. It comes and goes for some women.
Hope this helps a little!
S.
