Group B Streptococci (GBS)

[Jeanie20]

Hi ladies:  I have a question for you wonderful ladies out there.  Hopefully, you could help me out.  I went to the doc yesterday for my check-up, pap and my hubby and I were able to hear the babies heart beats which was great to listen too.  We were so excited to actually listen to their heart beats instead of seeing them on the monitor at the u/s.

Anyway, last time I was there she ran all kinds of tests on me thru my urine and my blood work and everything came out negative except for Group B bacteria that is found in the vagina that test came out positive.  The NP gave me antibiotics to kill this bacteria infection and she also told me that it could lead to pre-term labor again (which I don't want) so I have been taken a **** load of med for it.  My question is has any of you ladies out there have ever had this before and later in your pregnancy and that the baby comes out with no complications from this bacteria infection??  I am so nervous now about it b/c it could be passed to the babies and they could get pneumonia, blood infections, meningitis and it can result in death so I am FREAKING OUT about this.  They could give me antibiotics in the hospital during labor but it's so nerve wreaking.  If anyone could please give me some reassurance that would be great.  Thanks again for whoever gets back to me.  I appreciate it.  Thank you.  

[Ecologic]

I have a friend who recently lost her baby because of Strep B, she had a stillborn baby (1st child, she was 39). Supposedly she was a healthy carrier of this bacteria and the risk for her was low... well not so low :-(  So do everything you can to protect your babies!

[itsaboy413]

I tested positive for strep b with my daughter. They gave me antibiotics during labor and we spent an extra day in the hospital as a precaution. Everything was fine.

[rubyinparadise]

The most common approach is to get antibiotics during labor in the hospital, as you mention, and from what I understand that prevents the baby from being affected. I have not been through this but my former employer had it. Her son is perfectly fine, 10 years old now with no health issues whatsoever.

From what I have read, though, Group B strep bacteria come and go, so you should be tested again right before your due date to see if it resolved itself. If you test negative at the end of your pregnancy, then you don't have to do the antibiotics. If not, then you will probably want to assume you'll be on antibiotics during labor.

I've given this some thought and if I test positive for it, I will ask to be tested again in my 3rd trimester. I just wouldn't want extra antibiotics in labor if I didn't need them. :)