Declining GBS test, thoughts??

[Beautitude]

I was talking to my midwife about how i was GBS positive with DS and how i had to be induced after my waters broke and nothing happened. I was telling her how i was concerned about having to be induced again and how i didn't want to have to labour in the hospital like i did with DS (id prefer to do most of my labour at home and just come in for the birth etc) and she basically said to me that i can decline the GBS test. Reading between the lines i felt like she was saying that the test can be a waste of time as even if you test negative you could be positive at the time of birth. What are people's thoughts on the test? Can anyone point me in the direction of some research so i can look at my options. Im really in two minds about it and dont really know where to look to get a bit more informed. I was concerned that the hospital would look down on me for declining the test but she said that it wouldn't be the case. Did anyone decline the test what happened after the baby was born? Did they make you stay in hospital longer etc to watch the baby? Thanks fot the replies.

[Arimeh]

I do know that some OB's don't make you take the test, because of the fact that even if you are negative, it can be positive at birth. My OB didn't expect me to take the test.

And also, my midwife for DD2's birth never once mentioned it, so I'm guessing they don't believe in it either? It was never mentioned.

If you don't want to do it - don't. I don't think they can make you

[~mamaspice~]

If you don't want to take the test, then don't. I don't think it's routinely done in the UK any more for the very reasons you've already mentioned. Just keep a good eye on bubs temperature for the first few days after birth. That should keep your mind at ease.

[chocolatecatty]

I declined mine last week. As AE said, it's a cyclic thing and just because you might have it at 36 or so weeks doesn't mean you'll have it at birth.

My midwife actually got the wrong file out for my last appt. and when I declined the test she said I should take it as my 'file' said I had quite a bad case of it when I did my wee test all those months ago..I think the term 'colony of it' was used and I nearly died when I heard that. She went on to say since it was such a strong case early in preg then I should take the test again as it would be silly not to - luckily I then looked at the file she was using and discovered it wasn't mine! Pity the file name is burned into my memory now...hope I don't meet her, I'd feel like I have secret info on her! Anyway, my point is - if you have a bad case of it adn it shows up in your urine test at the start of preg then I'd recommend taking the test in the last trimester - but otherwise, don't feel you have to.

I think it is becoming less routine nowadays as some people have stated - it's not expected you take it which is good. But if you take the test, and it comes back positive, they should be able to stick a bung in your hand and just give you the injection every 4 or so hours - you shouldn't be hooked up immobile to a drip or anything I think (at least this is what my midwife said). Different hosp. will have different policies I guess.

[Beautitude]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Arimeh I didn't know that some obs and midwives dont even offer it. I thought it was a routine test. That puts my mind at ease.

Mama Spice thanks for the tip about bubs temp. That will keep my mind at ease.

Chocolatecatty I dont think my urine came up with anything sinister but ill check with my midwife. Its true that all they do is put a thing in your hand and then they give you antibiotics every 4 hours but just the fact that i had to be in the hospital from when my waters broke made me feel like i was on the clock and didn't help me get a natural birth. If i was at home i could have relaxed and dealt with it better i feel. Plus when i was induced i was hooked up to every machine possible so that certainly didn't help me.

I spoke to a friend of mine about this the other day and she said it was in my best interest to have the test as her ob had told her that the reason they test at 36 weeks is if you have it then there is a very high chance that you will have it at birth as it wont go away after that time. I find that difficult to believe.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

I was actually thinking about this test and what happens if you have your baby before 36 weeks, how would they know if your testing positive to it?

[Arimeh]

Arimeh I didn't know that some obs and midwives dont even offer it. I thought it was a routine test. That puts my mind at ease.

Definitely routine with "some" midwives and OB's - but not all of them