Aware of strep b? What do u think?

[Hidden]

I have signed a petition so every mother gets tested for strep b, just trying to raise awareness, and was trying to get the petition up for u guys to read and see what u think, i had strep b and had to have antibiotics in labour, its s simple as that and saves babies lives

[Thirdtimelucky in reply to Hidden]

Hi babymother pleases send me the link so that I can sign the petition, and Thankyou for making me more aware of the risks, I will be urging my midwife to give me the test, if I can get it.

[DrFluffy]

Swabs for strep b are routine... Or at least are supposed to be!

My niece was born with GBS meningitis as my sil wasn't treated - this was in the US though!

[Skyblueboston]

I will check to see if I ave been tested yet, maybe nearer the birth! I will see my midwife next week and ask her

But yes every women should be tested, I heard it can lead to babies death if left untreated!

[loopy_lou53]

You're not routinely screened for strep b in the UK.

You can arrange a private test where a home swab kit is sent to you & then you post it back with a fee of approx £35, you get your results within a week or so.

This test has to be done between 35-37 weeks...maybe check it out if you're worried?

There should be leaflets in your drs office.

[Hidden]

I'm still trying to download the petition, I think everyone should be aware and offered this, but yes it can be done privately mine was nearly missed it was only a keen eyed midwife from the hosp rang me up t to check it was written on my notes, it wasn't! So she told me to get a red marker pen and write it across my notes!

[Angela36]

I'm a carrier of group b strep. In my 1st pregnancy I found out at 34 weeks due to a bleed and swab test. I was then put on antibios during labour however I'm nearly 11 weeks pregnant and at my booking in appointment I was told that I'll not b treated or tested this time. I find this appalling. I rreally think I should b tested at least. I'm so worried for my baby. I was told I would only b tested if I had a bleed or any signs summit was wrong. Shocking x

[Angela36]

I'm a carrier of group b strep. In my 1st pregnancy I found out at 34 weeks due to a bleed and swab test. I was then put on antibios during labour however I'm nearly 11 weeks pregnant and at my booking in appointment I was told that I'll not b treated or tested this time. I find this appalling. I rreally think I should b tested at least. I'm so worried for my baby. I was told I would only b tested if I had a bleed or any signs summit was wrong. Shocking x

[Hidden in reply to Angela36]

really! that is terrible! i would push for it, or pay the £35 privately......cant believe they have done that, i was told in each of my pregnancies that if my waters went then i would have to give birth within 24 hours...or i could opt for a c scection! and would have antibiotics in labour which i have had with everyone of my children, if they have routinely stopped this then i will def be paying for the test! this is why they should test on the nhs as routine....i have heard some very sad stories and so easily preventable.....will be asking my midwife next week x

[Angela36]

There is a new legislation now that not every1 will b tested in there 2nd pregnancy if they had it in there 1st. Cut backs maybe. It is terrible because surely this routine check can save babies lives and health and also prevent any complications. I ended up having emergency section after 19 hours in labour with my 1st because my pelvis was to small. I was told I would hav further sections if I became a mum again. Law has changed there too. Iv to c a doc in april so I'll hav my worries out then x

[Angela36]

There is a new legislation now that not every1 will b tested in there 2nd pregnancy if they had it in there 1st. Cut backs maybe. It is terrible because surely this routine check can save babies lives and health and also prevent any complications. I ended up having emergency section after 19 hours in labour with my 1st because my pelvis was to small. I was told I would hav further sections if I became a mum again. Law has changed there too. Iv to c a doc in april so I'll hav my worries out then x

[Skyblueboston]

Mums stuff google it, sends out the testing packs or free, then when you are reAdy the lab will charge you £35.00, I'm going to see if I can get tested for free but if not then £ 35 is nothing to be safe

I think it's terrible why women are not tested, end of the day babies need not to die, what is wrong with the nhs! They offer eye lifts and stomach stapling which is not life saving!

[Hidden]

Maybe because your pelvis was too small previously they will allow you to have another section maybe it's just categorised now? Hopefully! I had an emergency section but chose to have natural deliveries after, it was only because my daughter was in distress, and lucky I did at 9lb 10! They said I wouldn't of been able to deliver naturally as her head was too big!, but yes £35 is a small price to pay to make sure your free of strep b, it lives naturally in the back of your throat but if it goes down south then it becomes dangerous for your baby, I'll def be asking about it next wk, hope it goes well at ur app angela36 and skyblueboston let us know how u get on, interesting to see if different counties have different policies!

[Thirdtimelucky]

This hasn't even been discussed by my midwife, why urge me to get shots and then leave this possibly just as vital option out? Although even with a high bmi a diabetic nan and mum, and a large baby (growth not monitored each visit) I was never offered a glucose tolerance test at 28 weeks, I now have a 7lb and growing 35 week baby to push out, I had to fight for my two ante natal classes, they can't afford the red folder we just get the contents lose, and to top it all ive be given the one specimen bottle to re- use throuoght my whole pregnancy,

[Thirdtimelucky]

And no I wasn't aware of step b, I foolishly left that in the very capable hands of the health professionals, to advise me on things like that, past tense now I'm afraid, there appears to be a total breakdown in communication in the NHS shame really, used to be proud of it

[ritz21]

I was told in my mid-wife meeting today that i might be a potential carrier of Strep B. I was not screened for it, but because I had a UTI in first trimester they made an opinion that I am a 'potential carrier'.

I would like to know more information on it - babymother can you send us a link ?

[kellykdv]

We had never heard of Group B Strep untl my sister went into labour and passed it onto her daughter who was very ill and in special care for approx 2 weeks. As soon as I became pregnant with my first child I knew it was something I would not leave to chance and that I would pay for the private test..

The pack is sent out free and I then had the test administered by a midwife on a routine visit. My test consisted of two swabs, one vaginal and the other anal (sounds worse than it was, the swab sticks were very thin so did not feel any discomfort from them!) and then I sent them away with the payment and then recieved a text within a couple of days to say I was negative.

I've seen how poorly a baby can be from this infection, sometimes it can be even worse and claim the life of the little one, I'm now 25 weeks pregnant and will pay for the test again.

I have no idea why it isnt a routine part of pregnancy screening and I too have signed the petition and think that there should be a much higher awareness of the infection, but in the meantime, in my opinion the cost of the test is a very small price pay to protect against something so serious and that can be life threatening.