GBS+ and poss induction if waters break

[SammyRo]

I've found out that I am GBS+ve this time and so will need the antibiotics, which I am fine about. However, following a discussion with my mw, I'm a bit concerned about what happens if my waters break spontaneously and labour doesn't get started. She has said that some of the doc's in the hosp may want to give me the antibiotics and then induce me, which I really don't want. Now I'm going through the birth centre and my mw is 100% behind me not being induced in this situation, will advocate for me and is going to talk to a like minded doc and get it written in my notes, plus I've put it in my birth plan. However, the problem is if she isn't on if this happens. I'm just wondering what are the benefits of inducing in this situation - does waiting for labour to happen increase the odds of the baby getting the infection? I'd just like some facts so that I can stand my ground if induction is unneccesary?

I know that chances are that labour will start around the same time as my waters break, but with DD I had SROM and then nothing for 15hours, when things started on their own -so I know my body will go into labour eventually if I again have SROM which is why I don't want to be induced.

Anyway, sorry for the long post!

[OceanPrincess]

Hey there,

I find this a little odd - my knowledge of GBS+ isn't the greatest, I only know what my sister went thru with DS a few weeks ago.

The way she explained it to me was that she needed to have at least two doses of the ABs before DS was born and the two doses needed to be four hours apart.

As it was her second bubs, her concern therefore was labour happening too quickly - because if bubs didn't get two doses of ABs via mum intravenously, before making his grand arrival, he would have needed to go into the special care nursery and be put on an IV to receive more ABs.

So based on that info, I would have thought they would be happy for you if you had an SROM, then a bit of time elapsing before labour starting? That way they could definitely get your required two doses in before bubs was delivered. Possibly the risk is if the labour goes too long, you'd need more doses? Not too sure on that point.

Of course they could be pushing for induction because it gives them more control - once your membranes rupture, there is nothing protecting the baby from the GBS which is living in the birth canal. So possibly they are worried about infection if left too long?

I'm sorry I haven't been much help - is there a Dr you can talk to at the birth centre? Can you get another MW (or two, or more!) on board with the plan, JIC your MW isn't on when you go into labour?

Good on you for sticking to your guns and wanting to be educated and informed.

[OceanPrincess]

The only other thing I should add is that they performed an AROM on my sister and then were quite happy for her to have a few hours to chill out and try and kick start labour naturally!

So there is hope for you yet!

[RhiChiChi]

My OBS never tested for GBS. Aparently it can change - you can be positive then you can be negative. I don't see the reason for intervention given it can be cleared up via antibiotics (exactly what OceanPrincess has said).
Also, if it is in your birthing plan, why wouldn't the hospital staff follow this?! Surely if they let you 'submit' a birthing plan, then they should follow it?! (maybe I am just naive)

[Traveller]

You may be GBS+ now, and not at the time of birth. For this reason I really dislike antenatal testing as it leads to so many problems, such as IV abx during labour and the restrictions in movement that come with that.

If you fully research GBS and are still happy to have the abx, then your doc may well want to induce in the case of prolonged rupture of membranes. Please remember they cannot force you to accept any treatment, only make recommendations. If you are uncomfortable with induction you can ask:

What are the risks?
what are the alternatives?
what happens if I do nothing?

And remember take some time to make any decision pre labour as a rushed decision is often a regretted one.

Good luck

T
xx

[BellyBelly]

In the natural therapies forum, check out the thread on treating vaginal infections with a clove of garlic. Its magic stuff

[JellyBean]

Glad the labour went well Sammy.

I would strongly suggest you get onto some high-dose probiotics the counter the effects the antibiotics will have on diminishing probiotic supply in your digestive tract, your breastmilk, and subsequently your little one. (Ask at your nearest health food store). I would also suggest getting some powder-based infant probiotics which you can add to some expressed breastmilk to boost his supply and put back what the antibiotics would have taken out. Without re-population of probiotic (friendly) bacteria following antiB use - there is a much higher risk of feeding difficulties, colic and reflux and allergies.
Unfortunately you wont get this advice at a maternity hospital, unless you get a midi who has studied nutrition or naturopathy!

For future reference, taking probiotics during pregnancy can prevent GBS infections quite easily, and a daily dose of fresh garlic and freshly squeezed lemon can also help to guard against it. Make sure you keep your probiotics in the fridge.

Enjoy your little one.

XX

[Beautitude]

For future reference, taking probiotics during pregnancy can prevent GBS infections quite easily, and a daily dose of fresh garlic and freshly squeezed lemon can also help to guard against it. Make sure you keep your probiotics in the fridge.

JellyBean i was GBS + with my last preg and would really like to avoid it if poss this time around so will be taking your advice. DS was a happy chucker for his first 6 months, do you think this could be attributed to the antib's he had during labour? Also how should i take the daily dose of garlic and freshly squeezed lemon? Also in what quantity?

[kungfubecca]

Thanks Traveler & kelly,

my bubs like to be in the right position for the entirity of the pregnancy it seems, what they don't like to do is decend!!

Last time after my waters broke, I was up did a load of washing, did the dishes, walked around a lot. Not to mention the amount of walking I did in the weeks leading up to, I swear I went hiking one day, I was so intent on having that bubs in the right position, and got it all except the decent.

I'll cross my fingers this time see if that helps more, although on occasion I feel this bubs slipping down occasionaly.....

[kungfubecca]

Hi, bubs arrived last sunday morning.

As GBS positive again, I was given antibiotics, this time I didn't need to be induced so had the first round of antibiotics which takes about 20 mins, and then drip taken away, but I had the line in so the next course could be administered later.

had to be monitored, due to having mechonium this time, but went with telemetry, which worked fine until bubs moved down. They had just started talking about putting a probe on her head to monitor better when the unbareable downward pressure started and I could no longer concentate on using the gas, and could only manage to bite down on the tube.

needless to say this bubs took less time than the first one and was under 4 hours from when waters broke to bubs tearing her way out. (litterally) so the second course of antibiotics was never received.

Then the real fun and games started where we wern't allowed to leave the hospital until they confirmed she was ok, and 2 heal blood tests and one from a vein, and me explaining to the registrar how time worked and yes we had been in the hospital for more than 48 hours post birth, my little girl was fine.

The one thing I would really like to know is why no one tries to treat you for the gbs prior to birth.

If your tested at 36 weeks, should you then treat and re-test at say 38-39 weeks - presuming that you last that long.

[Little Chicken]

Congratulations on your new baby!

To try to answer the question I think it is because GBS can be classed as skin flora, or normal flora sometimes. Like staph aureus (golden staph) is present on just about everyone but does no harm unless it goes somewhere it shouldn't, it is next to impossible to eradicate it prior to surgery. GBS is the same. The antibiotics are more to prevent infection then to eradicate its prescence from you. To attempt to do so would require a much longer course and all the side effects that go with it. I suppose there is also the risk that if there treatment was successful, if you happened to live with someone who was also a carrier and if they weren't treated that you would just get recolonised anyway.

A bit rambling I know but I hope it made sense.