Strep B Testing

[Chickpeas]

Has anyone had the Strep B test? I understand it isn't offered as routine screening in the NHS but you can get a test done relatively cheaply (£35) where you get a swan kit and send it off. Seems like it is common to have the infection but relatively rare to pass on to baby but quite serious consequences if you are unlucky and do pass it on and the little one gets ill. I haven't heard of it until I met a woman today while waiting for midwife appointment. Apparently a positive test means you have IV antibiotics during birth. Not sure whether to do it or not. Recommended to be done between 35-37 weeks so a few weeks to decide. Any experiences?

[GBSSadmin]

If you'd like more information about group B Strep, we've written a joint leaflet with the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists which you can read online/download from gbss.org.uk/wp-content/uplo... .

We also list organisations that offer the group B Strep-specific test, following the method described by the RCOG, at gbss.org.uk/test. And, of course, if you'd like more info, do get in touch with us here, on 01444 416176 (weekdays 9.15-3.00) or by email [e-mail] anytime.

[Betty4893]

I have just done mine for peace of mind, and it turns out I’m positive so will need IV antibiotics in labour.

For £35 I didn’t want to take the risk, although small, that anything could happen to my baby.

Think of all the other things your spending money on, and the amount it costs. £35 seemed very reasonable.

I did mine through the Doctors Labatory and got my results back in 4 days.

Hope this helps a little bit. ❤️

[LauraJ85 in reply to Betty4893]

Hi, I'm planning on doing this, can I ask how many weeks you did it at? X

[Betty4893 in reply to LauraJ85]

I was late with mine and did it at 38 weeks.

They say don’t do it before 35 weeks.

I’d defiantly get it done xx

[LauraJ85 in reply to Betty4893]

Thank you. I think I will do it around 36 weeks now I know it only takes 4 days to come back xx

[Chickpeas in reply to Betty4893]

Thanks for that. I agree, it seems a small price to pay to potentially prevent something quite devastating. I think it is strange that the NHS don't offer it as standard. I asked the midwife about it yesterday and she was a bit awkward about it and obviously didn't want to say that I should or shouldn't do it.

Thanks for the tip on Lab Doctor. Will also do mine around 36 weeks I think.

[Betty4893 in reply to Chickpeas]

I asked my midwife, and she said it’s not recommended by them because a high amount of women have GBS, and it doesn’t cause issues in most babies. I politely said I didn’t want to take that risk and was prepared to pay for the test.

I then spoke to my midwife about the positive result and said I was happy that I had taken the test. She didn’t seem too impressed to be fair, but I don’t really care. I wouldn’t want to take that risk. Xx

[Emilylouise-]

I tested positive with strep b in my last pregnancy got to hospital and they didn't bother putting the iv line in had to stay in hospital 16 hours after my son was born so they could do obs he was perfectly fine was told you need to get to hospital 3 hrs before giving birth for the iv to be in but most hospitals won't even accept you until labour is more established

[ChrisWest1983]

I did it with my first child and will do it with this one as well (I hope it will be negative again, so I won't be stressed about passing it to my baby)

My midwife was not impressed either for me taking the test, but I did it for my own peace of mind. She said if the test will be positive, I can bring copy and it will be addressed during my labour. I was lucky also because water broke only during the pushing stage, which was not long, so I suppose the risk would have been small to pass if I had it + , but I like to always to know what's wrong / right with my body.