GBS swab

[human bean]

I did mine myself, the gave me the swab and container and said to do it the morning of my next visit. Definitely preferred to do it myself!

[Little Chicken]

I had the test with both of mine, and swabbed myself each time. Just gave me the swab and told me to go to the ladies to do it.

[sasha]

I've refused it before and will do again. The birth centre has an alternative in place (mostly to keep the hospital happy) if you choose not to do the swab pre-birth. When T was born, before she had her first feed, they took an ear and gastric swab to test - this way, far better chance of knowing if baby has it rather than the chance that you might pass it on (assuming you are positive when you give birth in the first place). I decided against the test because I thought the pressure of having to deliver within a timeframe would stress me out, plus I believe in saving antibiotics for when they're absolutely necessary. As it turns out, my waters broke very late in labour with both, so it wouldn't have been an issue anyway.

Might be worth asking if they will swab the baby at birth if you decide not to do the test?

[Heaven]

Where do you live? I have never even had it mentioned to me.

[~*familyof3*~]

Heaven im in WA

sasha thanks hun i think i will def ask that at my next appt

[onthefly]

Sasha, that sounds like a far more sensible way of doing it!