Question about GBS screening

[Cricket]

My midwife just gave me a handout about Group B Strep, which I was tested for in my previous two pregnancies. (-) I am somewhat familiar with the infection and the effects on the baby. The handout says that there are two screening methods used by doctors - one is to screen every pregnant woman near her due date, and treat any positive cases with IV antibiotics in labour. The other is to treat only high-risk women, without screening them beforehand. (High-risk of passing along the infection, that is, so: labour before 37 weeks, likelihood of a prolonged labour, previous GBS infection, unexplained fever in labour, previous baby with GBS.) Apparently between 15-40% of women will test positive for GBS, and about 2% of those will pass along the infection to their baby (The high-risk ones). Of the babies infected, a small percentage will become so sick, that it may be fatal.
So would you opt for the standard test, or for being treated only if you fall into the high-risk category? I don't want to put my baby at risk, but right now, I am well out of the high-risk category. I've never had GBS, had short labours, and carried to term. I REALLY want to have this baby at home, not in the hospital on an IV! What would you do?

[MamaPan]

personally I would go for the std test, even though you are low risk technically and the chances of baby getting ill are so low, given it is so serious if they do contract it I would prefer to have the test and the anti biotics (or at least for the dr to know I am a carrier) if I need them. That's just what I would do though...

[Claire]

Cricket - I'd go with testing now and see what the result comes back as.

[SamanthaP]

Cricket,
I wouldn't have the testing based on what you have said. I would however monitor the babe a little more closely after birth to jump on any potential problem quickly. If you have the test it sounds like it is going to affect the way you labour and birth quite dramatically. The choice is yours to make, however you have to keep the 'risks' in perspective.

[Sorka]

Definately have the test.

I have two previous labours (first one long; second one very quick) and no problems at all with either pregnancy. I am 30 wks now and found out I had GBS when I was about 8 weeks, at my first appointment.

Get tested now so you can be prepared if need be - honestly, you will feel so much better knowing you have done everything you can to make your bubbas journey into the world as safe as you can.

Good luck with everything!

[LizzysMum]

You can get tested and if you are +ve you can use a douche at home. You don't have to use IV anti-biotics.

[Cricket]

Thanks for the feedback ladies!
Sorka - GBS comes and goes throughout your life. I was also tested (by accident -student practitioner.) in early pregnancy (neg result) but the test was useless, because it may come and go at any time. They want to know what's happening right around the time of labour.
Standard practice here is to administer IV antibiotics in labour to anyone who has tested positive. They don't do douching or anything else. Home birth would definitely be out. And with 15-40% of women testing postive, I don't know if I want to take the test and lose that opportunity unnecessarily. It seems to me that my baby would be more at risk if I fell into a "high-risk" category. (as in my first post.) Then I would definitely seek treatment for me and baby.
I welcome the feedback - love to hear more opinions! Thanks!

[~*Niadalla*~]

I would opt to have the test done... its the swab you are talking about right??

I think its just better to be safe than sorry. If you were to be positive for GBS, and you did happen to pass it on to bubs, you'd probably look back and ask yourself why u didnt test.

JMO
Good luck! not long to go now

[hannahfroodoo]

Personally, I wouldn't have the test since you aren't high risk.
When I had DD, they didn't even bother to ask if I wanted it - they just didn't do it. I assume they would have if I had been high risk.

[SamanthaP]

Can I ask why homebirthing is definately out if you have screened positive? Are you with an independent midwife or a 'low risk' government program or something? If you haven't had GBS before, you're low risk, I can't see why there is a dilemma if you genuinely want a homebirth. Observe the baby carefully after it's born if that will put your mind at ease. Keep risk in perspective. You or you child could be killed in a car accident tomorrow, but we still get in the car don't we?
HTH.

[Cricket]

If I test positive, I will be put on IV antibiotics in labour. That is just they way they do it over here. That rules out the homebirth, although I can certainly still have my midwife deliver the baby at the hospital. We have a total health care system, so I am getting what amounts to a private midwife in your system (if I understand it right, since I can deliver at home.) but it is publicly funded. I can choose an OB, GP, or midwife for my prenatal care, and deliver at home, in hospital, or at a birth centre. (If they had one here - small town!)
I am going to discuss the options a little more with my midwife next time I see her, but I think I will see if she is OK with just treating me if I end up being high-risk, and letting it be otherwise. All babies are carefully monitored for signs of GBS after birth anyways. If my midwife recommends the screening, I'll do it. I do trust her judgment.