Bacteria in Pregnancy which needs antibotics in labour

[DebsRols]

Hi,

I was informed by the obstetrician yesterday that I have bacteria and that I'll need antibotics during labour. When I started asking him a few questions he said not to panic there is nothing to worry about.

But of course I now am.

He also said he would induce me before my due date which I thought was odd and maybe related.

Any ideas on what it is and where I can find out more info about it.

Debs \/

[BellyBelly]

Debs,

He is probably talking about step b which is common, it's just a bacteria found in the vagina which sometimes overgrows more for some women - the antibiotics will help that. It's just so the infection wont be passed to the baby. You definitely do not need to be induced for this, that is ridiculous - it's a good idea to ask him why he thinks you need to be induced. If everything else is normal then that is a terrible excuse to induce you. Induction carries effects on the labour, you and your baby - no-one should be subjected to this as routine.

[DebsRols]

Hi Kelly,

Thanks for the info. After he told me about the bacteria I said well I hope I go early anyway as my hubby has exams on the due date week. He was then very quick to say well we'll just induce you early then. I was surprised by this remark as I thought induction is only recommended if and when you are overdue or there are problems with you and/or the baby.

The baby is quite low down anyway and he said that I "may not" last til the 22nd anyway.

I was induced for our 1st born but this was only discussed at my 39th week appointment. So I was a little surprised that he was suggesting it prior to my due date.

Thanks again.

Debs =D>

[Adnil]

Debs, i think the strep B thing is quite common, and some OBs dont even test for it apparantly, so no need to worry.

i wonder why he wants to induce yoy though? maybe it will be more convenient for him then....

[DebsRols]

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I will ask my OB on wednesday why he was so keen to induce me.

I will also ask if I need to get to the hospital as soon as my waters break instead of waiting for labour to progress further.

Thanks again

Debs

[BellyBelly]

Debs,

They will want you there when your waters break so they can start the drip on you asap. Having your water broken for a certain amount of time can also increase the step B problem. Only a small percent of mums labour start with the waters breaking though - waters allowed to break naturally often break at second stage (pushing) but Obs will often break them sooner to speed the progress of the labour - which often brings the stronger contractions on fairly quickly, as that baby is pressing firmly on your cervix and no longer has that bag of waters buffering it.

[jaggard]

I came back +ve for Strep B for DS. Nothing to worry about just make sure you have the dose of antibiotics during labour to protect bubs!
DH acually had to remind the midwife while I was in labour as they had over looked it in my notes.

Can't see why he would be inducing you. I was induced with Sciatica (as I couldn't move), seems odd he'd be inducing you early b/c of Strep B!

G

[leabdea]

Whenever a doctor or midwife suggests a procedure or intervention you can make an informed decision to accept that procedure, or you can decide not to have it. It's your choice. A helpful question to ask is, "Do the benefits of this procedure outweigh it's risks?"

Your body, your baby, your choice.

There are many things that are suggested to us, in regards to pregnancy and birth, that are more of a routine way of dealing with things than an actual specific response to our unique situation.

You might want to do some reading about Group B Strep and the routine treatment of it with antibiotics. Some women decide that the benefits of using antibiotics during labour do not outweigh the risks.

There is a great article about this issue that you can find if you do a google search for an American magazine called Mothering. Once you get to their site type "GBS" into their search box and you will see an article called "Treating Group B Strep: Are Antibiotics Necessary?"

In addition to the risks they mention regarding the use of antibiotics, there is also the loss of freedom of movement during labour that being connected to an IV creates. Not being able to move freely around during labour can then lead to other interventions that you might be hoping to avoid.

The interesting thing about GBS is that you can be tested one week and have a positive result and then be tested 2 weeks later and have a negative result. So some women choose not to be tested because just because you had GBS present in your vagina at 36 weeks doesn't mean you will have it there at 40 weeks or 42 weeks.

Also, semen has antibiotic properties - so enlisting the help of your partner the night before the test most often returns a negative result the next day.

[kerry]

I have a GBS infection of my uti, bladder and kidneys. I have had GBS infections like this on and off for about 9 years and the current infection has been persistent since I was 6w pg. Even though i have been on low grade anti biotics throughout the pg, the infection has not improved, it has however stayed stable and not worsened (therefore no hospital visit for me... yay). I have been told by both my ob and renal specialist that I will be on the IV medication for my labour. I have discussed the posiiblity of having the IV taken out at times during the labour and they are ok with this. I have done heaps of research on this (22w worth) and as everyone has said you have nothing to worry about.

You do not have to be on IV antibiotics during labour. You can have an intermuscular injection (hurts a bit more) which unless you labour goes over about 7hrs you wont need another one of. They don't give the first needle until your waters break.

I woudl be discussing with your OB the reasons for inducing early as GBS is no reason to do this!

[DebsRols]

Jo,

I love your sign-off ..... hahahahahaha 84 days to go!!

I have 16 days to go now and starting to go insane with the final countdown.

Thanks everyone for your tips and advice. I have taken them all on board and have made notes on what to research and what I need to discuss with my OB.

I think the only reason for being induced is that my hubby has exams on the due date week and maybe the OB thought he was doing us a favour. He thought I'd go early anyway but at my appointment today, he said I doubt it'll be over the next week.

So who knows. Taking each day at a time and just hope that the Sydney weather doesn't get much hotter (can't believe I had my first daughter on 30 Jan 04 with the heat then)!!.

Will keep you posted.

Debs

[DebsRols]

Hi everyone,

Thought I would just let you all know that on Wednesday last week (16th) I was induced in the morning and at 4:25pm we had our beautiful baby boy!!

The labour was intense and of course extremely painful and I'm sure I sucked in more than 1 semi-trailor load of gas (I also had 1 shot of pethidine) but from the time they broke my waters at 12:30pm - it was over with in 4 hours.

Again I was very lucky and escaped any tearing / ripping / and force to get the baby out (I'm obviously build to pop out babies) - so 4 days later I'm feeling pretty good.

He has settled into a fabulous routine already and has started to put on weight and is sleeping fabulously. So fingers crossed this continues.

Thanks again for all your advice and warm wishes.

Kind regards

Debs[/img]

[Pietta]

Congratulations Debs!!

Welcome little man