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streb b
Added:
97 days ago.
Added by:
beckytrcek
Section:
General.
Status: This question is
Closed. (Questions will be closed after 10 days.)
hi.. ive been a bit unwell recently, thought id got a water infection, my midwife sent a sample to be tested. the test came back that id got streb b infection, i dont really know much about it, but i can no longer have the home birth i was planning ive also been puton antibiotics, is my baby at high risk? please give me any information you can. thanks
Melanie07
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92 days ago Rating:
0 (0 votes)
your baby will be fine. They give you the antibiotic during delivery so your baby will not become infected. Most people carry it and don't know it. As long as you get the antibiotic everything will be fine. It is a protective measure to keep the baby from getting it.
LMO
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93 days ago Rating:
0 (0 votes)
your baby will be fine they want to put you on antibiotic so that they baby doesnt get a infection
ttasha
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95 days ago Rating:
0 (0 votes)
your baby should be fine theres nothing to worry about
Mommyof2boys
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97 days ago Rating:
0 (0 votes)
Lots of people have strep b/group b which ever, your baby will be perfectly fine as long as you are on the antibiotics and during your labor before the baby is born they will give you an antibiotic drip or meds. Many many women carry group b and not even know it its just bad when you are pregnant and not treated with the antibiotics because it crosses over the baby when being born which isn't good for the baby, but thats why they are giving you the antibiotic. Nothing to worry about and its very very common.
Baby3OnWay
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97 days ago Rating:
0 (0 votes)
you baby IS NOT at high risk. All woman get checked for this near 32 weeks prego and if they have it then they just get antibiotics during delivery through IV so that it doesn't pass on to the baby.. no worries! Best of Luck
Darianna
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97 days ago Rating:
0 (0 votes)
I am not sure about Strep B,
I would say that the infection can get into the baby through the process of coming out of the birth carnal!! Let me Ask.com it to learn more!! http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/groupbstrepinfection.html
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacterial infection that can be found in a pregnant woman’s vagina or rectum. This bacteria is normally found in the vagina and/or lower intestine of 15% to 40% of all healthy, adult women.
Those women who test positive for GBS are said to be colonized. A mother can pass GBS to her baby during delivery. GBS is responsible for affecting about 1 in every 2,000 babies in the United States. Not every baby who is born to a mother who tests positive for GBS will become ill.
Although GBS is rare in pregnant women, the outcome can be severe, and therefore physicians include testing as a routine part of prenatal care.
How can I find out if I have Group B Strep infection?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended routine screening for vaginal strep B for all pregnant women. This screening is performed between the 35th and 37th week of pregnancy (anytime other than this time will not be significant to show if a woman is carrying GBS during the time of her delivery).
The test involves a swab of both the vagina and the rectum. The sample is then taken to a lab where a culture is analyzed for any presence of GBS. Test results are usually available within 24 to 48 hours.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all women who have risk factors PRIOR to being screened for GBS (for example, women who have preterm labor beginning prior to 37 completed weeks' gestation) are treated with IV antibiotics until their GBS status is established.
How does someone get group B strep?
The bacteria that causes group B strep normally lives in the intestine, vagina, or rectal areas. Group B strep colonization is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Approximately 15-40% of all healthy women carry group B strep bacteria. For most women there are no symptoms of carrying the GBS bacteria.
What if I test positive for Group B Strep infection?
If you test positive for GBS this simply means that you are a carrier. Not every baby who is born to a mother who tests positive for GBS will become ill. Approximately one of every 100 to 200 babies whose mothers carry GBS will develop signs and symptoms of GBS disease. There are, however, symptoms that may indicate that you are at a higher risk of delivering a baby with GBS. These symptoms include:
Labor or rupture of membrane before 37 weeks
Rupture of membrane 18 hours or more before delivery
Fever during labor
A urinary tract infection as a result of GBS during your pregnancy
A previous baby with GBS disease
In this case your physician will want to use antibiotics for prevention and protection.
According to the CDC, if you have tested positive and are not in the high risk category, then your chances of delivering a baby with GBS are:
1 in 200 if antibiotics are not given
1 in 4000 if antibiotics are given
How can I protect my baby from Group B Strep infection?
If you test positive for GBS and meet the high risk criteria, then your physician will recommend giving you antibiotics through IV during your delivery to prevent your baby from becoming ill. Taking antibiotics greatly decreases the chances of your baby becoming ill.
For women who are group B strep carriers, antibiotics before labor starts are not a good way to get rid of group B strep bacteria. Since they naturally live in the gastrointestinal tract (guts), the bacteria can come back after antibiotics. A woman may test positive at certain times and not at others. That’s why it is important for all pregnant women to be tested for group B strep between 35 to 37 weeks of every pregnancy.
If you are at a low risk, the decision to use antibiotics is up to you. There are herbal remedies that you can take 2-3 weeks before delivery that a midwife or homeopathic physician can recommend.
How does Group B Strep infection affect a newborn baby?
Babies may experience early or late-onset of GBS.
The signs and symptoms of early onset GBS include:
Signs and symptoms occurring within hours of delivery
Breathing problems, heart and blood pressure instability
Gastrointestinal and kidney problems
Sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis are the most common complications
Newborns with early-onset are treated the same as the mothers, which is through intravenous antibiotics.
The signs and symptoms of late-onset GBS include:
Signs and symptoms occurring within a week or a few months of delivery
Meningitis is the most common symptom
Late-onset GBS is not as common as early-onset
Late-onset of GBS could be a result of delivery, or the baby may have contracted it by coming into contact with someone who has GBS.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How serious is GBS? GBS can cause bladder infections and womb infections for the mother. In some cases GBS can cause stillbirth. Newborns can get meningitis, sepsis, and pneumonia.
If I test positive for GBS does that mean my baby is going to get it also? No. Approximately 1 of every 100-200 babies who are born to mothers who carry GBS will become ill.
What percentage of babies born to mothers with GBS will actually become ill? Approximately 1 of every 100-200 babies born to mothers with GBS will become ill. However, there are certain symptoms that put a mother at a higher risk than others.
What can I do to prevent my baby from getting GBS disease? Intravenous antibiotics (antibiotics given through IV) are recommended during delivery to reduce the chance of your baby becoming sick.
Do I have to take antibiotics, or is there a natural alternative? It is your choice if you want to take antibiotics. There are certain herbal methods that you can take 2-3 weeks before delivery that a midwife or homeopathic physician can provide for you.
Is Group B Strep related to strep throat? No, the two are not related.
Can a woman who tests positive take oral antibiotics before delivery? Treating the mother with oral antibiotics during the pregnancy may decrease the amount of GBS for a short time, but it will not eliminate the bacteria completely and will leave the baby unprotected at birth. Also, waiting to treat the baby with antibiotics after birth is often too late to prevent illness.
Are antibiotics safe for the baby? Penicillin (Category B) is commonly used during pregnancy in non-allergic patients. There are substitute drugs for those who are allergic to penicillin, but they could still experience an allergic reaction. It is best to discuss the pros and cons with your health care provider.
captshelley
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97 days ago Rating:
0 (0 votes)
I had strep b and my baby was born with an apgar of 9 and then a 10. She hasn't even had a minor cold yet and she's 4 months. Your baby will be perfect.
jessicahedden
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97 days ago Rating:
0 (0 votes)
I had strep b and all they did was give me IV antibiotics while I was in labor. There is nothing to worry about.
mommy-of-3
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97 days ago Rating:
0 (0 votes)
Hi, a good friend of mine ended up having this when she was pregnant with her daughter. It's nothing to worry about and for the majority of women it clears up with simple antibiotics.
brandi j.
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97 days ago Rating:
0 (0 votes)
I have tested positive for strep b w/ all of my pregnancies, and I took antibiotics during all of my labors. However, I have only gotten the 2 doses of antibiotics w/ only one of my deliveries, and none of my babies have contracted it. However, there is a greater concern if you are running a fever w/ it, b/c it means that your strep b is active, so it is very good that your midwife has you taking antibiotics now. I don't see why you would not be able to have your home birth, especcially since you are being treated w/ antibiotics now! Also, I don't know how your midwife does, it but it is best to keep your bag of waters intact as long as possible before delivery. You should always watch your baby for symptoms, even if you recieve the antibiotics, to catch it early. You can look up the symptoms and just watch for them. There is a very small chance of your baby contracting GBS, but it's good to know what to look for!
michaela
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97 days ago Rating:
0 (0 votes)
I've just been diagnosed with the same thing, i had a coil put in following the birth of my daughter and was swabbed b4 they inserted coil. I don't know whether i had it b4 giving birth to my daughter or not but from now on if i have any more kids i will need to inform medical staff and will get iv antibiotics during the delivery to protect my baby. The antibiotics are safe. It is a very small risk that baby may catch the infection, so it is good that you know in advance to protect your baby.
nicole/steph
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97 days ago Rating:
0 (0 votes)
Hi. Whenever i was pregnant with my 1st daughter, i had Strep B. In my experience, it was nothing to worry about, you show up to the hospital early and they give you loads of antibiotics to clear it out before the babies born. Its an infection that does not do any thing to us, but can make the baby very sick. hope i aswered your question. Nicole/Steph
kbushby
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97 days ago Rating:
0 (0 votes)
i had strep b with my son and it was no biggie... when i went into labor they gave me a pill right away for it, then a few hours later another one.. and that was it. if it doesnt get treated then it could get your baby really sick. but if it gets treated then theres no worries.
wildberry
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97 days ago Rating:
0 (0 votes)
you and your baby should be fine now that your are on the antibiotics it's just best to have a hospital birth after getting a strep b infection that way they can monitor your baby right away sorry you can't have your home birth