Group B Strep & Homebirth - ??? - Pregnancy, Birth & Baby Forums ~ BellyBelly

daffomere · #1 (**permalink**) September 8th, 2009, 01:36 PM

I am curious to hear from women who've tested positive for Group B strep during pregnancy who were planning homebirths.

did you still go through with the homebirth? Were you able to find a midwife who could administer IV antibiotics during labour whilst at home?

Or did the risk factor create a change of plan for you?

I just had a vaginal swab done (20wks) for thrush - and my GP informed me of Group B Strep being present, and that is probably would remain there until delivery. I am freaking out a bit about what this means, and devastated that my options may now be limited to labouring while attached to an IV in a hospital I detest.

I meet with my midwife in 2 days and this will obviously be the biggest part of our discussion this visit. But I'm curious to hear stories from people.
Do you think it's possible that a swab done later in pregnancy, 36+, might find no traces of GBS?

thought?

Cricket · #2 (**permalink**) September 9th, 2009, 07:10 AM

I had this same dilemma just over a month ago. Here's the thread that I posted then, and the help and advice that I got. It was POSITIVE!!! HELP!

Unfortunately, the "natural" treatment I tried was not successful for me, but it may well work for you. Especially since you have a longer time to try it.

You can also read up on the risks and pro's and con's of antibiotic therapy for GBS, and see how your midwife feels, and consider birthing at home anyways, whether you have a positive swab or not. (Your midwife might be opposed to this idea.)

Do you have other children? What was your labour like, if you do? GBS presents the greatest risk to premature babies, or those who go through a long labour with waters broken. My babies have all been born full-term, with quick labour, and waters breaking right before delivery, so I do not believe that they were at any serious risk of contracting GBS. I might skip the swab next time, and have the homebirth, and monitor the baby carefully after birth - check temp. regularly, etc.

Anyways, all the best with your research and treatment!

daffomere · #3 (**permalink**) September 9th, 2009, 10:18 AM

Thank you, Cricket!!

The advice in the thread link was exactly what I was looking for!

This is my first, so of course we have no idea what kind of labour it might be. But, we do have Time on our side, for potential home remedy treatment. And, of course, I don't meet with my midwife until tomorrow, at which point I'm sure we're to have a big discussion about choices.

THANKS for passing that along!!

Mayaness · #4 (**permalink**) October 13th, 2009, 02:12 PM

On top of what Cricket said, I have to shake my head at your doc! A pos can and often does become a neg in no time during pg - it's something that can come and go, or be there are one stage and not be there closer to the time. Not only that, it also depends on where in the vagina the swab collects from...hence the unreliability of the whole thing, anyway!
I opted out of the swab, and as I'm post dates anyway, it shouldn't be an issue - specially being my second and the baby is well engaged (so labour won't be very long, in theory!).

**Alan** · #5 (**permalink**) October 13th, 2009, 04:39 PM

Hi Daffomere
There is no legal reason why a homebirth midwife cannot give you IV antibiotics should you decide that this is right for you. You could also consider oral antibiotics, they take longer to work but they do work. The main problem with tablets is knowing when to start taking. Starting too early means that you will not be covered at the time of birth, starting too late means that they would not have had chance to start working effectively.
I also agree with Mayness, your doctor needs a slap around the head for saying what he did. This infection is common in the vagina, you could get a swab today that is negative and yet be positive if a swab was taken tomorrow. There is no possible way that your doctor can know that you will still be carrying the bug as you go into labour.

Lisa · #6 (**permalink**) October 13th, 2009, 04:46 PM

Another thing to remember is that the anti biotics take around 4hrs to work, so if your labours are quick it is possible that they mightn't be working by the time your bub arrives anyway. Of the 4 live births I have had, only during 2 of them I have been tested for GBS. My last pregnancy was one of them and that labour was 4hrs.