Strep B

[MissmyAngel]

Well this is kind of embarassing but I tested positive for strep B. The doctor told me I will get treated with antibiotics during labor and everything will be fine. Well I made the mistake of looking it up on the net. (bad bad bad!) So now I'm freaking out. I know its pretty common in around 25% of pregnancies, but the internet seems to make a big deal out of everything and tells you the worst case scenario about stuff.
Well my question is, I have about a 45 minute drive to get to the hospital. If there is anyone else out there who have been through the same thing or know of someone who has, should I get to the hospita as early as possible? I have no clue about when to get there, other than that I'll need antibiotics. This ***** because I want to have a natural birth so they are prolly going to push meds on me now if I get there too early, but I don't want to get there too late either...

[vacuumprincess]

Your friend  prob just doesn't know what strep b is.  New mothers can be VERY overprotective.  She was prob worried if it was something her baby could catch.  Don't worry about it.

[MissmyAngel]

Thanks for making me feel better! I have a friend who just had a baby and when I told her she looked at me like I had a disease or something lol.

[alaysha]

It goes away on its own. I had it my first pregnancy but not my second.

[jrobertson20]

As they all said above don't be embarrassed it's normal.  The reason you have to get antibiotics for it is because it's your bacteria and not the baby.  When delivering the baby can get some in its mouth or nose or eyes and it can be harmful to them but if treated you should be ok.  Don't worry IV's are given because they get into the body faster and take effect sooner.  Good luck and congratulations.

[vacuumprincess]

I agree with the others... I don't know why you are embarassed.  everyone has different kinds of bacteria.  you just don't want to make your baby sick.  I'm sure with the necessary precautions all will be fine.

While I did not test positive when I had my daughter 5 yrs ago, I was still concerned about getting to the hospital in time too (i lived far away).  That fear is natural.  It is rare to not get there fast enough.

[Sakinah69]

Hmmm ok, now I know why I had to have antibiotics when delivering my last baby! I know I sound a bit dumb, but they never told me I had Strep till I asked them after what the IV was for well after I had my baby. So does that mean I will have to have it again with this baby? Or does it go away on its own?

[beanie485]

Hi I tested positive for group b strep as well and nickieb85 is correct it is a common bacteria in women and is nothing to be embarressed about. Do not let the internet stress you out to much you just need the antibiotics and I have known patients to get to the hospital to late to recieve it during labor so what they do then is treat the baby after birth and they maqy keep the baby an extra day to be safe and they will also do some blood work

So don't stress EVERYTHING is going to be ok

[nickieb85]

Hey I just had a little girl last week and I also tested positive for strep b (it is nothing to be embarrassed about it is a natural occurring germ in the body) and I was treated with antibiotics for (one does every 2 hours) and I was also induced. You will have to have an IV and they will have make sure that you are hydrated in between doses. The internet makes things sound so much worse. You definitely want to get to the hospital as early as you can manage just because they will put your baby under a 48 hour watch just to be safe.