Group B Strep - New Richmond,WI

I tested + and my Dr. didn't give me the option. She simply said that when you arrive, you will be put on antibiotics. She didn't feel it was worth the risk.

First of all, you have to be tested, at least that is what my OB has said. IF you are positive, you HAVE to have the antibiotics. Group B strep is ususally harmless for you but can be extremely dangerous for your infant. Why would you refuse to protect your precious baby? WHY?????

Please read this article and make an informed decision before refusing treatment.
http://www.dhpe.org/infect/strepb.html

Holy Cow your baby could die or become brain damaged from contracting this from you!!! Why on earth would you not protect your baby from this? It's so easy for you to do. I actually don't think it's an option, or should be an option to not take antibiotics.

No but why would you not receive something as simple as antibotics to protect your precious baby?

First I am giving this info as a previous labor and delivery nurse. Now stay home with kids. I think if you've researched this or talked to your doc in depth about this you would realize that any side effects to you and baby from antibiotics "pale" in comparison to what GBS can do. Passing this on to your baby will more than likely and I mean more than likely end in severe infections, blindness, or death to the baby. GBS is not something to "opt" not to take antibiotics, IT IS THAT SERIOUS and I'm sure as a mom who would do anything for their child you wouldn't "opt" not to take the meds knowing this could happen to your child.

Now second, with that being said...this is an open forum website, so you know that as women we all aren't going to agree with everything each other says, does, or ask. So, if you're going to post/ ask something on here expect there to be some answers that aren't so nice, but let it roll of your shoulder. These aren't your best friends, your family, or anyone close to you so don't take it so harshly if someone answers in a not so nice way.

Like TB said you can't opt out of the antib's. To dangerous for baby.

nope, can't say i know anyone that would be ignorant/selfish enough to do that.

I have three children and I am also a midwife. I did not even do the test with babies 2 and 3. So, I don't know if I was positive or not. As long as your water stays intact and you don't let them do a ton of vaginal exams you don't have to subject yourself to any antibiotics. Take extra vitamin C to strenthen the amniotic sac so it won't break until right before the baby is born. This will greatly reduce the chances of strep B causing a problem. Also, just because you are positive today does not mean you are positive at birth. The colonization comes and goes.

Lisa

A.,
If you are able to look through your feelings of disgust and feelings of being belittled, you will see that the guidance you were looking for is here. You got many very educated people's answers on the subject, and really no one supporting or choosing to opt out of the antibiotics.

This is an important subject for you and your baby, and while I think you may already have your answer, maybe the best person to pose this question to would be your doctor. Let them know your concerns and get feedback from them. Ask them all your questions and discuss all your concerns.

I think in your case people were not trying to belittle but show how important they think taking the antibiotics are. For one so quick to be hurt by words, you were very quick to respond in much the same fashion.

For what its worth, I too worked on a Birthing Floor in a hospital and don't remember anyone opting out of the antibiotics if they tested positive for GBS. Good luck to you and your baby, and I hope all goes well with your birth.
V.

I am not sure if you have the option not to receive. It is pretty common and easily treated with antibiotics through IV while in labor. I also stayed in the hospital a few extra days so they could monitor me and my baby....happy to report all went well with 2 deliveries.

If the issue is that you do not want an IV during labor - which I absolutely understand!! - you can ask for alternative measures to be taken. Ask if there are pill forms, IV a day or two prior to estimated labor, etc. I know that many women test positive for this, because for most it's normal flora in the vagina - but if it enters the eyes, nose or mouth of baby it may cause a life threatening infection. The rate of that tho, as I understand it, it medium to low risk.

I went through this same dilemma myself as I tested positive and am a big needle/IV-phobe, am anti-unnecessary interventions, and am anti-overuse of antibiotics. The family practice doctor following my pregnancy told me the general guidelines, but left it up to me. I called our pediatrician to consult since she has the same views on using antibiotics only when absolutely necessary. She said it only took one GBS related death of one of her newborn patients to form her opinion that moms should take the suggested dosing whenever possible. I value her opinion highly and so planned on taking the suggested dose. But in the end my baby came pretty quickly and I only got half of the dose in. She had some additional tests and observation for 48 hours, but all was fine. Just wanted to share my experience, good luck with your decision.

I was diagnosed with Group B strep with my 4th & last baby. But I had her in 45 minutes so I couldn't get the antibiotics. After I gave birth I was so uneasy & scared that she could be in danger because I didn't get the antibiotic. It made, what was suppose to be a wonderful time, a terrible experience. The baby has to be tested twice for any problems and that means I was released but my baby had to stay an extra day cause it's 24 hours for each test. Thank God she was fine & now is a healthy 3 yr old.

Could you live with the guilt of opting out of this & having something be severely wrong with your baby that you could have prevented?

A. - In no way do I want to insult you or make you feel bad and I'm sorry if others may have. I'll just give you my experience. Maybe this will help with your decision. I tested positive with my second child. My labor went so fast I could not get all the antibiotics. As a result, the doctors had to run tests on my son and found some levels in his blood to cause concern. They immediately had to insert an IV into the top of his head, which took FOREVER and many many pokes to get in. He was down in the nursery and I could hear him SCREAMING with every jab they made. No one besides me could hold him for our entire hospital stay and I was only supposed to hold him if I needed to for feedings. We had to stay an extra in the hospital until his blood levels came back down to where they were supposed to and it was a horrible experience. I felt so bad for my precious boy having to come into the world like that. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal w/ missing some of the antibiotics, but it was. I urge you to get them, but it is completely your decision! Good luck - hoping you have a safe and happy delivery!

I tested + 2 out of 3 pregnancies and would NEVER have refused to take the antibiotics. Why would someone not want to take them? What is your reasoning/logic here? I do not understand...

It is such an easy fix to something that *could* cause serious issues for your sweet baby!

~ I had very fast labor with my first child and was unable to finish both necessary doses of the antibiotics before I delivered and they had to keep me and my new baby a whole extra day so they could run tests to be sure he was OK before they released us from the hospital.

I don't understand why you would refuse the antibiotics either? Please don't put your baby at risk.

I haven't tested positive, but I have a friend who did and did not receive the antibiotics because she was having a homebirth. Her son showed no symptoms, but tragically died 12 hours after his birth. The autopsy showed it was because of Strep B infection.

Before the birth of my second child, I was trying to avoid an IV and any interventions as I wanted a natural birth after many complications with my first. I asked my doctor if a pill was possible instead of having the antibiotics in an IV. Originally she said no as your digestive system slows down so much during labor that it would take too long for the drugs to absorb into my system. As it turned out, I was prescribed a pill due to my allergy to penicillin. However, my daughter had another idea! She arrived within two hours so I hadn't even been given the pill. We did have to stay in the hospital for an extra day and she was tested many times for any abnormalities in her blood. I wish you the best in your decision and a safe and healthy delivery!

I don't think any of the responses were out of line. When you post, you're asking for opinions & that's what you got. Sure you can have side effects from the anitbiotic just like you can from taking ANYTHING but the risks far outweigh the outcome if you don't. I work in a clinic where most of our patients like alternative things, try to avoid meds if they can. Some things though you just should take the meds because of the outcome. You've gone your whole pregnancy trying to prevent the worst so why would you stop at the delivery? I wish you luck in your decision & hope for a happy, healthy pregnancy for you.

Effects on the Baby

There are two types of GBS infections in babies:

Early–onset infections—These infections develop right after delivery when the baby passes through the birth canal colonized with GBS. Early–onset infections occur within the first 7 days after birth. Most occur within the first 6 hours after birth. Only a few babies who are exposed to GBS develop an infection. Certain factors, such as preterm birth, may increase the risk of a baby becoming infected. The most common problems caused by early–onset GBS infections are lung infections, blood infection, and meningitis.
Late–onset infections—These infections occur after the first 7 days of life. Late–onset infections may be passed from the mother to the baby during birth or they may be caused by contact with other people who are colonized with GBS. Late–onset infection can lead to meningitis and other diseases, such as pneumonia.
Both types of infections can be serious. GBS infections cause death in about 5% of infected babies.