GSB positive

[Rainbowhope]

Has anyone experienced this? Just been told I have it and it makes me terrified. I have had an awful pregnancy so far. So scared my baby will be affected.

[LauraJ85]

Hi, I had this when I was pregnant with my little boy. Don't panic, I know its easier said than done, I was exactly the same and spent way too much time on google. It's good that you know you have it so you can be treated. I planned on giving birth at my midwife led unit but had to go to the main hospital as you will need antibiotics during labour. From what I understood it is 2 lots of 4 hour dosages however I had a quite a quick labour was already 10cm in the assement ward so I didn't have the cannula put in until I was pushing, baby was back to back so this ended up being around 2 hours. You will also have to stay in for 12 hours after so baby can be monitored.

My son was fine and is now 15 months old.

I hope everything goes well for the rest of your pregnancy x

[Rainbowhope in reply to LauraJ85]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Did you baby get give antibiotics after birth? The doctor said the baby will definitely be given them just to be on the safe side?

[LauraJ85 in reply to Rainbowhope]

No he didn't but he was monitored closely as we ended up staying in for 8 days due to jaundice. I was really upset when I found out I had it but just remember alot of the worst case scenarios you will read about are from where the mother didn't know she was a carrier. Hopefully the uk will start to routinely test everyone to prevent this x

[Pjmontgo]

I had this with my pregnancies. In the UK they gave me two doses of antibiotics 4 hrs apart once I was in established labour and then baby didn't need any.

[Rainbowhope in reply to Pjmontgo]

Thanks for your reply. Feel really upset by this news. Never knew I had this. I've read all these worst case senarions on the net and I've hardly slept for worry

[Emilylouise-]

I had this with my fourth pregnancy unfortunately I didn’t get chance to have the antibiotics as my labour was quick had to stay in hospital for 12 hours after Baby was born he’s now 4 years old and he wasn’t affected by gsb at all ,

When I fell pregnant with my 5th child I was worried that I’d test positive again but I didn’t was all clear

[Rainbowhope in reply to Emilylouise-]

Thank you for sharing. Have to try to be more positive but it's just another thing to worry about for the next 7 weeks

[Emilylouise- in reply to Rainbowhope]

I know and with the current covid19 pandemic it’s just an added worry I know I’d worry if in same condition I had my 5th baby last year and his birth was traumatic enough

You and baby will both be ok try and think positively and rest as much as you can before baby arrives I have a very energetic 15 month old who never seems to sit still 🤣

[Fowey2009]

Please don’t worry. It is better to know so you can take action. There is plenty of information and support on gbss.org.uk.

[Gronya1]

I had this with my pregnancy, honestly I know it seems scary but it is definitely a good thing that they know, as people have said they will give you antibiotics while you are in labour, this will mean there is very little risk to your little one, if anything it is safer as you know for sure and they will be doing something to prevent it, I know they don’t routinely test for it so it is very lucky that they have found you have it. I know it’s hard not to do because all you do it worry for your little one but honestly it’s a good thing they have found it. I just rang the hospital when I started having contractions and they got me in pretty quickly to start the antibiotics, everything else would have been normal apart from my little one was awkward and didn’t want to come out. The antibiotics that you have go through to the baby that’s why they wait until you are in active labour to give them to you so they won’t need antibiotics afterwards they will already be in their system. But they will keep an eye on them afterwards.

[Rainbowhope in reply to Gronya1]

Seems so scary but your message really helps. Thank you so much

[GBSSadmin]

As others have said, it's really good to know about group B Strep before your baby is born so you can take preventative action as soon as labour starts or your waters break.

The recommended intravenous antibiotics in labour are highly effective at reducing the risk of your newborn baby developing GBS infection.

There's loads of information on our website at gbss.org.uk and do get in touch with us if we can help in any way.