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Hi! I have a small question.. Its nothing really. I've tested negative to the Group B Strep (or whatever its called). But just today I was wondering what happens if the test came back negative, and it's actually positive? How will this affect my baby? I forgot to ask the midwife when I was at the hospital today.
Thanks!
If you've tested negative then don't worry about it. It won't be a false negative as they actually culture the bacteria from the swab you provide. If there is no growth then there is no bacteria present. A baby born to a Mum with GBS pos can be severly affected by this bacteria. It can affect hearing and sight amongst other things, but it's not a black and white thing. Some women who are GBS pos will choose not to have the antibiotics in labour and go on to deliver a perfectly healthy baby. If you are GBS neg than just put it out of your mind you have nothing else to do now other than enjoy the last few days of your pregnancy and wait excitedly for your precious bundle to make an appearance.
GBS is a bacteria which can grow in the vagina it is normal vagina flora but it can make babies very sick (septic) temperatures etc and needing antibiotics.
It is a flora which can come and go which is why they test later in pregnnacy so if you are positive they will give you antiboitics when either in established labour of if your membranes rupture.
If you are positive and come in to hospital very close to birthing and membreanes are intact and go right before baby comes this clears out all flora from vagina, so you may not get antis if this happens.
Some people choose not to have the antibiotics are just have babies temperature monitered before every feed for 48 hours.
Strep B is transient which is why many Obs don't even bother testing for it... so you could be negative now and positive later or positive now and negative later...
My Ob said to me that he would only bother giving me antibiotics for it if I showed signs of a fever in labour or had a high risk baby, e.g. prem... and he was an infertility specialist so not one to take risks, but rather err on the side of caution. The risk of the baby actually inhaling the bacteria is very low. They can treat them after the birth if it does happen, but like I say, many take a wait and see approach. Antibiotics during labour as a preventative have both pros and cons to investigate.
ETA: Snap - posted same time as you feeb!
Even if you tested negative for strep B at 378 weeks you could still have it by the time your baby is born. It is for this reason that many places no longer test for strep B. It is possible for your baby to catch it but it is uncommon and easy to treat in the early stages.