Strep B positive

[Heather5]

Yay...another thing to worry about :-(  Looks like I tested positive for Strep B. My nurse said it's totally common and nothing to worry about (will just need antibiotics through the IV when in labor), but it still freaks me out a bit. And getting online to look it up is probably the worse thing I could have done. I always seem to find the scariest stories when searching online. Did anyone else test positive for strep B?

[ita17]

Make SURE you DO get the antibiotics.  W/my last I tested + & since I was induced, it was fine, but about one month later my good friends SIL had a perfectly chubby, beautiful baby boy, & 2 days later he passed.  By the time they realized something wasn't right, it was too late.  He had just been discharged & they had no clue,  Very very sad, & maybe this was extreme, but it does happen.
BTW she was tested neg. for it too, sometimes those test are not accurate.  "IF" I am blessed w/another baby, I will get the antibiotic just in case..........

[piggy2]

Gee, sounds like that nurse could have used a little sensitivity training.  What a b!  Do people not think how others take it???

[Heather5]

Thank you so much, everyone! I really appreciate your advice and experiences. I feel much better now!

:-)

[blessedmomof3]

I have not tested yet, but I have known of people testing positive for it and everything turned out fine. I think you are fine, that's why they test us for it, so they can make sure it turns out ok.

[dot247]

I tested positive, had some meds in the IV, had a healthy 8lb 10oz 22inch baby girl and all was well.  Dont look on the comp!!!

[rubyinparadise]

I tested negative in 1st trimester, but from what I understand that really doesn't mean much, because the same woman can test negative one week and positive the next. My midwife prescribes a holistic treatment first and then re-tests. The option is there for antibiotics if the natural remedy doesn't resolve the issue, and like others have said, the antibio.s pretty much guarantee that the baby will be fine (not including antibio. side effects, such as digestive issues, which can be pretty easily mitigated with probiotics.)

[marie1210]

I tested positive too, with my daughter.  I was shocked b/c I really don't know what it is.  I ended up having a c-section but my doctor didn't seem worried, like he sees it all the time.  Don't freak out, it's really not a problem.  

[Heather5]

Thanks, guys!

prevatt: Holy moly...I would have totally freaked out if my nurse had said that to me! Perhaps not the best approach, huh? Glad your doctor helped calm you and your DH down. As for reminding the staff at the hospital, I'll definitely keep that in mind!

Amanda: Yeah, it's usually done between 35 and 37 weeks. And you're right, the Internet is filled with worse-case scenarios! I did find something helpful, though...that even if NOT dealt with, the baby only has about a 1 in 200 chance of becoming infected, and when given antibiotics, it goes all the way down to 1 in 4,000. So that made me feel better :-)

Thanks again!

Heather

[prevatt77]

Yes, I tested positive as well.  I can remember being in the nurses office (and my husband was a worry wart my entire pregnancy) and the nurse said to me "You tested positive for Strep B" and my husband said "What does that mean" and the nurse said to us, very calmly...well if you don't get antibiotics during labor, the baby could die and my husband said "what did you just say" and she repeated herself.  Well he was freaking out.  Went we met with the doctor she said that was very much true but that is the WORSE case.  She explained to me that I would be given antibiotics during labor and that everything would be fine and he was just fine nothing was wrong with him at all.  You really do need to stay off the internet it always tells you the worst of everything.  Everything will be fine.  Even though it's in your chart when you go and deliver, my doctor told me to make sure I told them again that I was positive for Strep B when I arrived at the hospital.  So you might want to do that as well.  Try not to worry everything will be fine.

[adgal]

I haven't been tested yet, I think it's around 35 weeks that they do it?  Anyway, I agree with Rachel..stay off that internet.  Honestly, every time I look up every little ache and pain I find all these worst case scenarios.  When I talk to either you ladies or my Dr.'s, it turns out those worst case scenarios are really rare.  They can scare the heck out of you!!  My understanding is this is really not a big deal unless not dealt with (through the antibiotics).  Good luck, you are getting so close!!!

[Heather5]

Thank you so much! You're absolutely right...I really do need to stay off the Internet :-)

[rdh1981]

Stop looking online!!!! Your nurse is right! Just take the antibiotics and I KNOW everything will be all good!!!!!

Why does pregnancy make us worry so much?!?!?!