Group Strep B+ people

[Birdie]

I tested positive ~8 weeks pregnant with Group Strep B. My OB was in surgery so his wife called me (also an OB with the practice). She explained that since I tested positive now, they consider that a positive for the duration of the pregnancy and won't test me again. They'll just assume I'm positive when I give birth and will give me antibiotics. I haven't actually spoken to my OB about this yet as I haven't seen him since.

I'm wondering how much of a PITA the antibiotics were for those who have tested positive, more specifically for those who had a scheduled c-section.

I apparently (according to my records) tested positive ~8 weeks with DS, but for some reason they redid the test around 36 weeks or whenever they do it and I was negative. I'm wondering if I should push to be retested when the time comes or if it's really no big deal to get the antibiotics.

[Birdie]

Jan 12, 2018 14:34:51 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

I was positive. It was no big deal and I'd just get the antibiotics. I had a c-section (not scheduled, but he was breach so I didn't labor). I just had to get an IV bag of antibiotics while they got me prepared for surgery. It was easy and had they not told me I wouldn't have even known I was getting them since you need an IV anyway.

Ok thanks! My first wasn't scheduled, so I wasn't sure if I'd be getting an IV this time or not. I also wasn't sure how long I'd need the antibiotics beforehand or if there would be any side effects.

I'm admittedly nervous about getting extra stuff put into me this time around since I was so drugged up (from complications) during DS's birth that I don't really remember it.

[vtdiamond]

I was GBS+ and had a scheduled c-section. I don't think it can be transmitted to the baby via a c-section, I think it's only with a vaginal birth. I'm pretty sure my OB said it wasn't an issue as they knew I was having a planned c-section. I did not receive IV antibiotics ahead of my c-section, I only received standard IV fluids.

[icedcoffee]

Jan 12, 2018 14:37:24 GMT -5 Birdie said:

Jan 12, 2018 14:34:51 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

I was positive. It was no big deal and I'd just get the antibiotics. I had a c-section (not scheduled, but he was breach so I didn't labor). I just had to get an IV bag of antibiotics while they got me prepared for surgery. It was easy and had they not told me I wouldn't have even known I was getting them since you need an IV anyway.

Ok thanks! My first wasn't scheduled, so I wasn't sure if I'd be getting an IV this time or not. I also wasn't sure how long I'd need the antibiotics beforehand or if there would be any side effects.

I'm admittedly nervous about getting extra stuff put into me this time around since I was so drugged up (from complications) during DS's birth that I don't really remember it.

Yes--you need an IV regardless.  You won't even notice the antibiotics.  No side effects and they won't make you feel drugged up.  It's super easy.  Promise!

[mbcdefg]

My c-section wasn't scheduled (I labored around 20 hours before they determined DD wasn't descending), but I tested positive for group B strep at my appointment around ... 36 weeks, I think? The antibiotics during labor weren't a hassle at all. Here's my birth story if you're interested: pandce.proboards.com/thread/579431/birth-story 

[icedcoffee]

Jan 12, 2018 14:41:46 GMT -5 vtdiamond said:

I was GBS+ and had a scheduled c-section. I don't think it can be transmitted to the baby via a c-section, I think it's only with a vaginal birth. I'm pretty sure my OB said it wasn't an issue as they knew I was having a planned c-section. I did not receive IV antibiotics ahead of my c-section, I only received standard IV fluids.

This is true.  I still got antibiotics though.  I'm not 100% sure why though now that I think about it, but I remember my OB saying I'd still get it.  I'm wondering now if she does it standard for all c-sections!

[vtdiamond]

Jan 12, 2018 14:48:17 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Jan 12, 2018 14:41:46 GMT -5 vtdiamond said:

I was GBS+ and had a scheduled c-section. I don't think it can be transmitted to the baby via a c-section, I think it's only with a vaginal birth. I'm pretty sure my OB said it wasn't an issue as they knew I was having a planned c-section. I did not receive IV antibiotics ahead of my c-section, I only received standard IV fluids.

This is true.  I still got antibiotics though.  I'm not 100% sure why though now that I think about it, but I remember my OB saying I'd still get it.  I'm wondering now if she does it standard for all c-sections!

Yeah, I think I may have also gotten antibiotics during surgery (among many other things!).  Maybe just as a prophylactic due to the risk of infection with surgery?

[sierramist03]

Nbd IMO it just goes in your IV. I labored pretty fast with my induction and they still got the two doses in. If they don’t get them in they will watch your baby closer. Only annoyance is i had to stay in the hospital 48 hours after delivery

[raangoli]

Jan 12, 2018 14:55:33 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

If you test positive at any point during your pregnancy, they consider you positive the whole time.

The antibiotics aren’t a big deal.

If you’re a scheduled c-section, you’ll get a different antibiotic before your incision is made.

If you come in ruptured and in labor before you go back for your c-section, you’ll get both antibiotics.

I never made it to my GBS test since BB was premature and a surprise birth, and they tested us both post-birth. I assume that is normal protocol? I mean it's two years later but now I am curious. (sorry to thread jack)

[midwest07]

I had a scheduled induction. My OB wanted me to have the first dose of antibiotics at least 4 hours prior to birth. As it turned out, I had about 3 doses by the time the baby came (they repeated every 4 hours) since the induction took awhile. I had an IV anyway for the pitocin so it was no big deal.

[redpenmama]

I was positive for 2/3 pregnancies. The antibiotics were no problem during my 12-hour labor. Didn’t even notice them. My third came quickly — she was born 70 minutes after we got to the hospital. So, I ended up not getting them. Fortunately, I went from water breaking to delivery in a minute so she only had 60 seconds of exposure. She was fine, thankfully.

[sewf]

I was positive with my second. The antibiotics themselves weren’t a big deal, but I was hypersensitive to them and got red man syndrome, which just made me incredibly itchy and flushed until they gave me Benadryl. Just let them know early if you get itchy and they take care of it easily!

[boiler717]

I did not get antibiotics for a scheduled c section when I was GBS+.

[Birdie]

Thinking back, I'm not sure why they considered me negative for DS. MyChart says that I tested positive at 8 weeks, but they retested later. Maybe my OB forgot?

Did the antibiotics upset anyone stomach? Or are they not enough to mess with your tummy?

[joy]

I was positive and was nervous for two reasons - I didn’t want an IV (tied to wires, etc) and I was worried it would upset my stomach.

I got the IV regardless - as you will for a C section - and nope, they did nothing to my stomach. I was fine.

I think I got two doses in total.

[rupertpenny]

I’m also GBS+ and I have another question. Has anyone had problems with a yeast infection after receiving the abx during labor? I pretty much automatically get a yeast infection anytime I take abx and the idea of having one during recovery makes me want to cry.

[nellgirl]

Not a problem at all. I had a super speedy labour and barely had time for the second dose, but it wasn’t an issue.

[sparty04]

I had it 3 times and it wasn't a big deal. DS3 came right before my 2nd dose was due and they wanted to keep us for 48 hours post birth but they let us go home early and made us schedule a doctor's appt for him the following day. Not a big deal but kind of annoying if you don't want to leave the house

[pooh8402]

Jan 12, 2018 15:56:16 GMT -5 boiler717 said:

I did not get antibiotics for a scheduled c section when I was GBS+.

You likely got some antibiotics immediately before incision since it's standard of care for all surgeries. It wouldn't be *specifically* for GBS prophylaxis, but you did get something.



When I was a baby nurse, if I was caring for a baby that was born via c-section and mom was ruptured on the table, we didn't worry about GBS because the baby wouldn't have been exposed.

[pooh8402]

Jan 12, 2018 17:50:39 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

I’m also GBS+ and I have another question. Has anyone had problems with a yeast infection after receiving the abx during labor? I pretty much automatically get a yeast infection anytime I take abx and the idea of having one during recovery makes me want to cry.

Talk to your OB, and your nurses. The OB could, theoretically, order something prophylactically, and the nurses can keep an eye out. And make sure you're taking probiotics, eat yogurt, etc.

[ilikedonuts]

I was positive both times. I didn't get both rounds of antibiotics in before DD2 was born. They just checked her vitals every 4 hours for 48 hours.

[starburst]

I went into labor 2 days after I had my strep B test, so the results weren't in yet. They treated me as if I were positive, so I needed two rounds of IV antibiotics while I was in labor. It wasn't a big deal since I had an IV anyway. Turns out I was negative.

[rupertpenny]

Jan 12, 2018 20:23:24 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

Jan 12, 2018 17:50:39 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

I’m also GBS+ and I have another question. Has anyone had problems with a yeast infection after receiving the abx during labor? I pretty much automatically get a yeast infection anytime I take abx and the idea of having one during recovery makes me want to cry.

Talk to your OB, and your nurses. The OB could, theoretically, order something prophylactically, and the nurses can keep an eye out. And make sure you're taking probiotics, eat yogurt, etc.

Thanks. I do take probiotics so hopefully that will help.

In my experience doctors here do not rx diflucan under any circumstances, only pessaries. But I assume I can’t use a pessary after a vaginal birth either. One more thing to ask about at my next appointment I guess.

[ringstrue]

I got the IV and it burned my arm going in. Had to call the nurse and ask her to dilute it with more saline.

[pooh8402]

Jan 13, 2018 13:39:20 GMT -5 ringstrue said:

I got the IV and it burned my arm going in. Had to call the nurse and ask her to dilute it with more saline.

That's pretty common. I piggyback it onto my main fluids, and run it in slow. My patients report that burning stops once I slow the rate. My hospital doesn't give me option to add more saline.

[tiki]

I also tested positive early in my pregnancy so I knew I'd be getting the antibiotics. Objectively and medically it was not a big deal, but it meant I had to go to the hospital as soon as my water broke, so no laboring at home. I also eventually gave in and allowed pitocin (which I really did not want) because I heard that other women were giving birth in triage and I felt guilty for taking up an L&D room without being in active labor. Fortunately with a scheduled c you wouldn't have these issues!

It did burn going in, so make sure the nurse is there when it gets going - they can slow it down so it's more diluted before it reaches your system. I also think it's likely that being born after 20 hours of IV penicillin contributed to the digestive issues / gas / colic that we experienced with my daughter as well as some no-joke pp constipation for me. If I had to do it again, I'd have started her on probiotics much, much sooner after birth and brought fiber-rich cereal to the hospital for me.

Oh! One positive thing: I am prone to UTIs and was terrified I'd get one from having a catheter during birth. Fortunately the antibiotics for GBS+ basically eliminate that risk. 

[pooh8402]

Jan 14, 2018 8:01:53 GMT -5 tiki said:

I also think it's likely that being born after 20 hours of IV penicillin contributed to the digestive issues / gas / colic that we experienced with my daughter as well as some no-joke pp constipation for me. If I had to do it again, I'd have started her on probiotics much, much sooner after birth and brought fiber-rich cereal to the hospital for me. 

Eh, my son had a bunch of digestive issues after birth, and I never got antibiotics in labor. And constipation is really common for all PP women. I took miralax and double the dose of stool softeners. Both my son and I took probiotics too.

Probiotics are pretty much never a bad thing, but I do think it's reaching to blame the antibiotics received during labor for digestive issues that are common to many mom-baby dyads.

[rikki]

It wasn't a big deal except that I'm allergic to almost all antibiotics, so I had to have a super strong drug that made me really nauseous and kinda dizzy.

[starlily]

Jan 12, 2018 15:05:54 GMT -5 raangoli said:

Jan 12, 2018 14:55:33 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

If you test positive at any point during your pregnancy, they consider you positive the whole time.

The antibiotics aren’t a big deal.

If you’re a scheduled c-section, you’ll get a different antibiotic before your incision is made.

If you come in ruptured and in labor before you go back for your c-section, you’ll get both antibiotics.

I never made it to my GBS test since BB was premature and a surprise birth, and they tested us both post-birth. I assume that is normal protocol? I mean it's two years later but now I am curious. (sorry to thread jack)

I didn't make it long enough to the GBS test with either kid. My hospital's protocol was to treat me as + and administer antibiotics.

[Deleted]

Jan 13, 2018 17:24:07 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

Jan 13, 2018 13:39:20 GMT -5 ringstrue said:

I got the IV and it burned my arm going in. Had to call the nurse and ask her to dilute it with more saline.

That's pretty common. I piggyback it onto my main fluids, and run it in slow. My patients report that burning stops once I slow the rate. My hospital doesn't give me option to add more saline.

Honestly the burning was worse for me than the contractions. I cried from the burning & made it through the end of labor & pushing out a 9 lb baby with a worn off epi.