Step B Swabs

[Bridg]

Hi all. Just wondering about Strep B Swabs. I have been doing some reading, and some text I came across said the results of the swab can change from when u get tested, til the time ur in labour.

With my pregnancy with the boys, I only made it to 34w 5d so never had the swab. My last MW appointment, she gave me a swab to bring home, do, and take back next Friday.

What Im wondering, is how many of u had the swab done?
What results did u get?
Did the results change?

I have been told by the OB that I will have a canula put in my hand when I go into hospital, so my theory was, dont do the swab and have the AB's in labour.

[visitor1]

Ive had 3 babies and was never tested once for strep B

[~Saram~]

yep never had the swab done and never had antibiotics either?? Always heard about it but was never offered and I never asked

[Muffy]

with DS i had the test at about 36 - 38 weeks? was positive so i had to have a drip while i was in labour. Its pretty bad if the baby contracts it! i would be asking your doctor!

DD i had it around the same time but was negative!

[Nicole S]

Hey Bridg, I had the test at 36 weeks and got the results this week which was Neg and my OB advised me that no shot required during birth.

[sweetpea678]

I have had 3 kids never did the swap and never had anitbiotics in labour either.

[angelaartsstudent]

I had the swab done at 36 weeks...came back negative.

[Snacks]

I had it done last time but not this time.
Why are you having a canula? Did you have PPH last time round?

[Snacks]

Double post, sorry.

[Ozziehoffy]

I was only told about the swab test at 38 wks but didn't do it. If you don't do it they assume you are positive and want you to have antibiotics during labour in case bub gets it - yes it can be bad. I didn't do the test, was offered antibiotics but refused them. They keep an eye on bub anyway. They did 4 hourly temp and so long as they don't get a fever in the first 24 hours it's all good. I didn't see the sense in having the ab's JUST IN CASE... it's a possibility but not a probability and yes you can test positive today and be negative tomorrow. It will come down to how you feel about it I guess.

[Inertia]

I had it done last time but not this time.
Why are you having a canula? Did you have PPH last time round?

I was wondering exactly that. You are not in grand-multi territory yet so unless there is something else pre-disposing you to PPH, I am not understanding why you are getting a canula.

If you do agree to it for pph purposes, my advice would be to not let them attach synto unless your loss becomes a concern (over 800mls for SVB). I only say this because I know from experience that the uterus contracting with synto can be just as painful afterwards as it is during an induction. To me it feels like I am still in labour.

[Bridg]

Thank you ladies for all the very quick replies.

Rainbow Raver- I have been going through the AnteNatal Clinic, and my Dr doesnt do shared care. The Hospital Im giving birth at, are pushy on every single test, and sometimes make u feel guilty if u say no.

Nicole- Thats good news. Hopefully it stays negative.

Snacks- I had a c/s with the boys, and am going to have a VBAC this time. Putting a canula in is apparently one of their policies.

Ozziehoffy- The one thing that made me wonder if it was worth doing, was the results can change.

Inertia- After the c/s I was hooked up to a drip with synto in it to help the uterus contract, and OMG was it painful!

[Snacks]

Are you happy with that, Bridg? Seems like another dumbo hospital policy to me, but as long as you're happy...
I would have done the swab this time round if they had've offered it. (I am happy to do them myself, but I'd be more hesitant if they'd said they'd do it for me.) Personally, I'd rather not have ABs unless I need them.

[Ozziehoffy]

Snacks- I had a c/s with the boys, and am going to have a VBAC this time. Putting a canula in is apparently one of their policies.

Re: the canula - I just had my second VBAC and same with the hossy policy. I had the canula cos it was a "lesser of evils" and I was choosing my battles It wasn't something which interfered with anything. The last one did hurt a bit though cos I was in very active labour with them trying to do it and it was in a bit of an awkward spot but it was ok.

As for them being pushy, I understand that, the midwife going through the swab test with me made me feel a bit like I didn't have a choice, but I stood my ground and told her I'd think about it - they forgot to mention it again the next week at my appt.

[Bridg]

Snacks- Im happy to have the AB's 'just in case'.

Ozziehoffy- Im sort of hoping that they forget at my next appointment. If they dont, and they ask me about it, I will tell them my reasons.

[Muffy]

I went to an Antenatal clinic aswell....
personally i wouldnt like the risk of not getting it done (lol i think i have read too much about what can happen) BUT im not saying you have to get it done it is completly up to you