positive Group B Strep

[Anonymous]

I just got the results of my Group B strep culture - it's positive. The doctor seemed to not think this was a big deal - just give me antibiotics during labor and everything will be fine - but then when I talked with my Mom, who used to work in the medical/OB field but has been retired for a long time - she was very worried by it. Does anyone know more about Group B Strep - is this something where my Mom has just not kept up with the medical advances, or is my doctor downplaying the risks??

[Anonymous]

I was also positive. I ended up needing a c-section but did have the antibiotic drip. I think with all the advances in medicine that you will be fine. There are a fair amount of women who have positive tests and all ends up well. Don't worry about it and be sure to ask the dr if you have any questions.

[Anonymous]

PP - did you have the C-section because of the GBS or for other reasons? I hadn't even thought about that. I guess I really need to talk with the doctor more about this ...

[Anonymous]

I was also GBS positive and panicked about it. I would tend to agree with your OB-- at least in my case, it was not a big deal at all-- it only required the antibiotic drip during labor.

[Anonymous]

PP here, I had a c-section for other reason. It was not related to the GBS but I was told I would still get the drip.

[Anonymous]

Here's a recent thread on Group B Strep. Not very detailed, though. But for what it's worth:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/3080.page#13764

[Anonymous]

As someone about ready to deliver and is positive as well I thought I would give my insight thus far.....

Is it a big deal? Well, yes and no. It is not uncommon and very easily treated with antibiotics. I had little concern when first informed 2 weeks ago, however, now it is a bit concerning as my situation has changed and I am handling things different as a result.

I normally would not do elective induction prior to 41 weeks, but I am walking around currently over 4cm dialted and fully effaced at 38.5 weeks. This has prompted the doctor to recommend induction later this week. There is a concern that since I have progressed so far on my own already that when labor does happen it will happen very quick. The antibiotics need 4 hours prior to birth.

Second, I am also allergic to Pennicillan the drug of choice to treat it. My culture came back resistant to the #2 and #3 drug as well. As a result I have to receive a much less commonly used drug to treat it. I know see how beneficial the extra culture test was.

So, I think the bigger issue at hand is just to remember that you need that time of antibiotics prior to giving birth and that you may not have the ability to labor at home long as other woman do. Should you get to my situation too where dilating without going into labor so far then you may want to talk about how the best way to handle that is.

Oh, and also you might want to do some googling online - I was able to read why there is evidence to NOT strip membranes when strep B positive. Some information went as far as to say internal exams should be avoided as well. Everyone has to make their own decisions but I was glad I read this ahead of time.

[Anonymous]

I was negative, but wanted to pass on that the doc on call when my water broke asked for my GBS result first thing. If it had been positive, my understanding is that he would have told me to head to the hospital immediately so as to start the antibiotic drip. Because I was negative, I was able to labor at home for a while. So you may need to adjust your expectations/plans for labor based on this.

[HrCreuzi]

I was GBS positive and did have the drips. My SIL was also positive and didn't have the drips with no issues. It's only a _possibility_ it will pass to the baby.

I think Dr. Sears's Birth book had good info on it. I know I read a lot about it before I chose to have the drip.

[Anonymous]

I was negative, but wanted to pass on that the doc on call when my water broke asked for my GBS result first thing. If it had been positive, my understanding is that he would have told me to head to the hospital immediately so as to start the antibiotic drip.

Yes-- that was the same thing I was told as well. Once the water breaks, you should get started on the antibiotics reasonably soon afterwards. Unlike the PP, I don't think the antibiotics were optional in my case (at least my doctor didn't present it as an option, she just said that is how they handle the GBS positive result).