Tested for STREP B is this common??????

Hi guys,

While i was pregs with DS i was tested positive for Strep B (Group B streptococcus). This later leaded to me having to be induced while i went into labour, after my waters broke naturally. The midwives said I had a choice of Being induced and them giving me the right amount of anti-biotics at the right time or not being induced and risking infection passing on to my bubba. I opted out for the inducing.

I was just wondering how many other women tested positive and did they opt for being induced?????

And how common is it?????????

How hospitals treat +ve GBS depends on a few things, including their policy, and your labour - whats happening etc.

In Vic. the general guidelines for treatment, independant to specific hospotal policy, are:

identify the risk of GBS
infection in one of 2 ways: (i) by looking for risk factors during labour (ii) by
taking a swab from your bottom (anal) and vaginal region at about 36 weeks.
These are the risk factors for which you would receive antibiotics:
◗ a previous infant with GBS
◗ GBS bacteria in your urine during pregnancy
◗ if you go into labour preterm (before 37 weeks)
◗ prolonged rupture of membranes, 18 or more hours
◗ signs of infection during labour.


So nothing about induction, Im not sure hopefully someone else can shed some light on that one for you.

I think they like to induce you if your waters have broken to minimise the risk of infection from them being broken, but if you have an antibiotic cover (as is the practice once you test +ve to GBS) then there should be no rush to induce. I tested positive with my 4th pg and needed an antibiotic cover, but I needed one anyway for my heart murmur. I was not induced.

My sister tested + to strep B and she went into labour naturally and was given the antibiotics by IV when we went to the hossy.. I think if you are known to have a quick labour resulting in not enough time for drug to be administered then they would prob induce so they had more control over the situation... and every hossy is different in their policy....
I believe strep B is fairly common these days, I read somewhere that the bacteria is in everybody but is present in "some" while pregnant !! not sure how true that is.

I had +ve strep b, didnt get induced, was told to go to hospital immediately if my waters broke for antibiotics. I didnt need to do that as my waters were broken in hospital while I was in labour.

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I believe strep B is fairly common these days, I read somewhere that the bacteria is in everybody but is present in "some" while pregnant

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It is VERY common, and it comes and goes, so you can test + at 36w but - at 37w. It comes and goes in every woman, pregnant or not.

Yep, it is very common but the test results don't mean a thing because all it is, is a snapshot of THAT day - so you could have the test, get either result, but in a day or two you could be retested and get the opposite result. The only danger from it is if you are actually sick from it at the time and they will watch baby to see if they develop any signs of infection, but the chances of it are rare when you have an ab cover. Some women are told that a +ve result means they have to give birth via c/s too which isnt true.

I can't see why they'd need to induce...? My midwife didn't even test for it, said it was a waste of time as the results mean virtually nothing, unless (like Trillian said) you are sick from it. I can see why they'd want to kick start labour if your waters were already broken, but I don't see the reason to induce for the sole reason that you tested positive for strep b.

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I can't see why they'd need to induce...? My midwife didn't even test for it, said it was a waste of time as the results mean virtually nothing, unless (like Trillian said) you are sick from it. I can see why they'd want to kick start labour if your waters were already broken, but I don't see the reason to induce for the sole reason that you tested positive for strep b.

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A lot of OBs dont routinely test for it either and take the approach where you look for warning signs when you are in labour. I'm going to be talking it over with my midwife next week to see which we will go for.

TBH I'm more worried about a -ve results at the test but actaully having it on the day.

I was tested the other week at my 36wk checkup and i was told this week i was neg- so i won't need antibiotics in labour, the whole time i discussed it with the Middie and DR it was never suggested that an induction would take place if it were pos+. I don't personally think that is a valid enough reason to induce a person!

I tested positive with both pregnancies and it was never used as a reason for induction, my obs it was nothing to worry about and just said it meant that I would need to be given antibiotics during labour through an iv. I would definitely be asking more questions!

i was strep b +ve in a bladder infection at 20 weeks with #1. so i opted for the antibiotics and skipped the 3rd semester test. I had 1 does of ab's and that was it.

With #2 i refused the test again and told them i would take the ab's. but had a homebirth so didnt after all. and bub is fine :)

it is a very common bacteria i think i was told 50% of all woman have it dormant in their vajayjays!

I tested +ive with DS and was given IV antibiotics. Like everyone has said it is very common, and i can see why if your waters broke they may want to sped things along, but not sure why the antibiotics wouldnt keep working. Strep B although very common is life threatening to babies we just had a court case very recently at a WA hospital because a baby died from strep B, when a simple dose of antib's would have prevented this and although i dont want to scaremonger it is such a preventable thing, why would you take a risk?

I have tested positive.

Do you think I could ask for another swab to be done in a couple of weeks if there is a chance of it being negative then I`d rather not have to deal with antibs and staying in hospital after longer than I might want?

yeah i think if you dont want AB's then get another swab done. I dont think having the AB's would extend your hospital stay though. I'm pretty sure my BF who had a natural VB had oral AB's and was given the ok to leave the following day, maybe suss out that option if you dont want the IV.

Ive been told that I need to stay 48 hrs after delivery so they can monitor baby.