Group B Strep (GBS) Swab

[BellyBelly]

There was a discussion from ages ago about this and I can't find it! So I am starting a new one.

There is an article on the main site about Group B Strep which you can read HERE. I have also created this poll & discussion so you can get an idea of how common GBS is and read other's stories.

GBS is transient, meaning that you may test positive for it during the swab, but it may be negative at birth, or vice versa. This is the reason some carers do test for it and others don't. Those who choose not to test will observe the woman in labour and see if she shows signs of infection before administering antibiotics as opposed to routinely if you were positive at the swab. If you are positive for GBS there is a chance that your baby could inhale the bacteria during birth, however this risk is minimal. Yet another decision you have to make about what you want at birth - to have the test or not, to have the antibiotics or not! So do your research and here are some others stories and experiences with Strep B.

[Trish]

I was never tested for Group B Strep with any of my pregnancies. When I was pg with Tehya I mentioned it to my midwife and she sia to me with be tested for something that might be there now but highly likely not to be there at birth and stress myself about it !!! Not like I would've let it change my birth plans anyway...

[Astrolady]

I am having the test done next week and I am pretty sure it is the first time I have been told to have it during my pregnancies. They have it down as a routine test now at our hospital.

Love

[Melbo]

I took it too and tested negative. I had read about GBS and knew about the test so didn't hesitate to take it when it was offered.

[EllyBoo72]

I had no Idea about srep B when I was Pregnant. My OB didnt even bother with any form of testing for it.

[BellyBelly]

I didn't have the test with either of my pregnancies, my Ob said he doesn't do it as I could be positive at 35 weeks then negative later anyway. He said he would see how I am at birth and if I have any 'risk factors' he would administer antibiotics, e.g. prem labour, waters broken for a good time, showing signs of fever. He also said that he can pick up if the baby has been exposed to Strep B when it's born, he said they have a distinct 'smell'... his words not mine!!! I trust his word though, he was a very experienced infertility and IVF specialist and most definitely not one to take 'risks'.

I do know however that some public hospitals are making testing routine now. So it depends on the carer / place of birth you get as to if it's routine or not...

[Trillian]

I didn't have it with Lindsay, but had it with the girls at 37 weeks. Regardless of the outcome of the test with Paige, I had to have antibiotics anyway for my heart murmur that I had at the time. I think I didn't have it with Lindsay becuase I was in shared care and it just slipped through the cracks IYKWIM?

[Tobily]

I dont remember being tested for it with DD, even though my waters broke early.
I haven't been tested for it this time either, no mention of it from OBs yet actually.

[ShootingStar]

I did it at 37 weeks i think and was negative

[blackbird]

I'm having it done at my next visit - 34 weeks. Apparently he'll let me do the swab myself!

[*Efjay*]

I was tested with Evan & it was positive so each time I have been asked to do the swab again for the next 2 pregnancies I just said ah why bother just mark it as positive, what difference does it make if I have AB's while in labour.

[Krisvee]

Yep - I was tested at 37 ish weeks and it came back positive! My waters broke at 37w5d so I got the antibiotics while in labour.

[Antheia]

I was tested both times and both were negative.

[MrsBump]

My midwife wants me to have the test, it is routine here, but im not having it because i have to have ABs anyway. I had a VSD repair when i was younger so i dont see the point in taking the swab. My hosp said not to do it either, its just my m/w.

[~Amy~]

I was tested for it with Mya quite early in the pregnancy & tested + for it. Then spent the next 5 months worrying about it, as my doc told me the worst case senario. As it was my 1st pg i was so stressed out, the doc didn't calm me at all. Needless to say this time round i have a new doc who is very comforting.
I have not had the test done yet, but will when i'm a bit further along.
Oh i did have the A/B's the 1st time & little Mya was happy & healthy

[*Efjay*]

The thing with Strep b is you could test +ive for it now & then be -ive at the birth or vise versa. Something like 95% of the (female) population will test +ive for it at some point or another. I remember being told that it had alot to do with ones diet. As in your diet creating the right environment down there for it to live in. I just see it as one of those stock standard things that we are made to worry needlessly over, as usual!

[Debbie Lee]

I was tested. I think it's standard through the public system in Geelong (tho I could be wrong as I was doing shared care so it may just be my GP's preference??).
I must have been negative cos I didn't hear anything more about it. Twas pretty short and sweet down at the local Pathcare office.

[Schmickers]

With our first birth we didn't test for GBS as our obstetrician didn't believe in it and we were having private antenatal care.

With our second pregnancy, we were told by the local hospital that it was a routine test, so we decided to go along with. We regret it now, as Victoria tested positive, which led to quite some weeks of worries, as the appropriate treatment is IV antibiotics. Eventually we managed to come to a plan which involved our independent midwife administering antibiotics at home (which is a little illegal without prescription. Shhh. )

In hindsight, after looking into a fair bit of recent research about the issue, we wish we had not had the testing done, as outcomes are proving very similar between those groups who have been screened, and treated, as opposed to those groups who are not screened but treated based on "risk factors" (such as having prolonged broken waters, having high temperatures during labour, a premature baby, or having had a baby in the past with a GBS infection at birth).

The good news is, after we got the positive result, we sought out some complementary therapies for boosting the immune system and getting rid of GBS, including some homeopathic tonics and peri washes. We swabbed again a week ago, and are in the clear. Woohoo!