group b strep

[katelyn]

Last time around, I tested positive for group B strep and got the standard treatment of antibiotics through IV while in labor. The IV was rather uncomfortable and I think the meds added to my nausea...but of course I was willing to do it since I thought I was protecting my baby.

But now I just read in Ina May's book that this treatment doesn't really prove to be effective. However, she didn't reference any specific studies. So I was just wondering if anyone had any references either way about the treatment of group B strep.

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

Here's an article with references to studies regarding antibiotics during labor as a treatment for GBS. I tested positive for GBS in this pregnancy and right now hubby and I are leaning towards not getting the antibiotics during labor.

 

[katelyn]

Thanks!

 

[katelyn]

That article is especially interesting to me, since I am allergic to penicillin and require an alternative antibiotic.

 

[oliveplants]

I tested positive for GBS in my first pregnancy, and have had antibiotics at each delivery (4 so far). While I noticed a difference in taking other edication (for pain) I can't say the antibiotics made me feel bad at all.

I hate the IV; it hurts, limits movement, makes me cold... But both hospitals I've delivered in give an IV to every mother, if there's any need for it or not, "just in case." SO check on Dr and hospital policy, because you might have to have an IV anyway. (I'm thinking about refusing it this time, but unless DH backs me up it won't be possible.)

Does anybody knnow how a person gets GBS other than during birth?

Good article, thanks Mrs A2J.

 

[Athene]

Just checked my maternity notes . . . . it doesn't appear that I have to have a GBS test.

 

[katelyn]

Routine IVs aren't required at our hospital. It would be nice to avoid an IV altogether. I wonder if my midwives would be willing to consider the homeopathic treatment. But I know they have hospital policy to deal with. Has anyone been through a refusal of something that is "hospital policy," to share what kind of an ordeal it is?

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

Routine IVs aren't required at our hospital. It would be nice to avoid an IV altogether. I wonder if my midwives would be willing to consider the homeopathic treatment. But I know they have hospital policy to deal with. Has anyone been through a refusal of something that is "hospital policy," to share what kind of an ordeal it is?

As far as I know a patient has the right to refuse anything even if it is hospital policy. They always need your consent.

 

[jgonz]

Another alternative is to have the baby tested for GBS after he/she is born. It's a simple test and conclusive. Plus, YOU won't be exposed to antibiotics unnecessarily (which contributes to thrush).

GBS is actually something you carry in your intestines... and sometimes it travels (which isn't that hard to imagine since everything is close on a woman's body). Some women are more prone to vaginal GBS than others~ however it irks me that most of the time now they Assume that "once you have it you'll have it with each pregnancy" when that is Not necessarily the case.

 

[katelyn]

Another alternative is to have the baby tested for GBS after he/she is born. It's a simple test and conclusive.

Is this a blood test? Is it something they can do from blood they draw for other tests? Newborns getting poked for blood makes me so sad.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Just checked my maternity notes . . . . it doesn't appear that I have to have a GBS test.

It's not routine in the UK, and not justified by NICE.

The incidence among British women is about half that of Americans (don't know why).

The GBS risk to the baby happens if you have a long duration of ruptured waters before 37 weeks gestation. If this happens, then the risk can be actively managed. Given that artificial rupture of membranes and induction before 41 weeks is unusual in normal pregnancies in the UK, there is not a huge risk of GBS transmission and therefore the use of prophylactic antibiotics is not justified.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Routine IVs aren't required at our hospital. It would be nice to avoid an IV altogether. I wonder if my midwives would be willing to consider the homeopathic treatment. But I know they have hospital policy to deal with. Has anyone been through a refusal of something that is "hospital policy," to share what kind of an ordeal it is?

ACOG does not recommend the 36 week test plus IV as the only way to deal with GBS.

When I had a baby in the USA, I declined the 36 week test (the nurse thought I had grown two heads), and I agreed with my midwife that if I had a long duration of ruptured membranes before 37 weeks, I would consent to antibiotics for the baby. This was all highly unlikely given my history - spontaneous labours at 40 weeks with waters going in second stage.