New study antibiotics in preterm labour

[tsgirl]

Was emailed this study today which unfortunately I can't link as it's a member only site .. but there is a link included in the news story

New Data To Inform Clinical Practice Around Preterm Labour

Thought the recommendation that AB's not be administered to labouring women UNLESS there are clinical signs of infection was interesting in that it may well be different from current practice in some instances.

I would suggest reading the original study as well as the news article as the statistics certainly don't support some of the sensationalist reporting I saw when I was looking for an appropriate link.

Mods .. wasn't sure where to put this so please move if required

[Beach Mama]

Great article thanks hun. I've just been told that I am GBS negative, but because I was positive with Izzy that their procedure is to give AB's anyway!!!!!!!!!!!! Why do the test in the first place! I've said thanks but no thanks and am happy for bub to have temps taken at each feed.

[tsgirl]

Tan that is outrageous!! That is soooo far from evidence based practice that it defies belief ... nothing makes my blood boil more than the 'science' being discarded because it doesn't suit the purpose at hand

So if I've got this right they want you to have the AB's because you were GBS positive SIXTEEN MONTHS AGO despite the fact ur negative now??? That is insane!! Well the research is on your side hun!!

[Tobily]

Great article thanks hun. I've just been told that I am GBS negative, but because I was positive with Izzy that their procedure is to give AB's anyway!!!!!!!!!!!! Why do the test in the first place! I've said thanks but no thanks and am happy for bub to have temps taken at each feed.

I had a client about a year ago that had to deal with this same thing - was GBS positive with her first baby 2 years earlier so was told she had to have IV AB's in labour with her second even though she was neg. This isn't really uncommon despite the fact that it is not evidence based practice.

They are also often given routinely for preterm labour regardless of GBS status. I went into labour with my DD at 36 weeks and was given AB's despite being GBS negative. Again, not uncommon.

Obstetrics is one of the least evidence based branches of medicine. So much of what is done routinely to labouring women and newborns is not based on evidence, it is simply habit. It's really up to us to educate ourselves about these practices unfortunately.

[HotI]

Here is another article about the study from the BBC

BBC NEWS | Health | Q&A: Antibiotics and cerebral palsy

BBC NEWS | Health | Q&A: Antibiotics and cerebral palsy

[Beach Mama]

Yep - I laughed and said that was ridiculous to the midwife who fortunately was lovely! She has made notes in my file and basically said as long as everything is documented then thats fine. I said fine, document that I do NOT want the ab's during labour, and will be happy for them to closely watch my son if he gets sick. Somehow I think we will know if there is a problem anyway. It makes me furious too because second time around you have your eyes open a little wider I think whereas first time around the words 1 in 5000 babies die makes you think it will be your little one so will do anything you think will protect that baby, when in fact that decision may be worse.

[Freya]

Tan thats ridiculous, I was GBS+ with my first and wasnt with my second and not once did my OB insist I have ABs anyway.

Also apparently you can be GBS+ when they test you at 34-36wks but not have it when you actually give birth!

[Liz]

Interesting. I had AB during pre-term labour with DD because I was actually sick. They were concerned my illness was causing the pre-term labour.. so it wasn't really done for the baby iykwim, only to try and keep her in there longer! In hindsight tho, I think my 'illness' was just my pre-labour. Both times now I've either had diarrhea or vomiting as my pre-labour, so next time I will just agree to being re-hydrated, but not AB's. I think the AB's affected DD's gut, as she was very colicky and even now on solids suffers from wind etc.

Interesting the long term effects of the AB's tho. Definitely shouldn't be routinely administered!