Group B strep

[angiemum2b]

I've read several websites about this all to which states it's a test to be performed around 35-37 weeks of pregnancy and its 2 swab tests 1- vaginal 1- rectal.

My question is can the testing for this being done via urine test ??

My firend says she has been tested by urine for this that showed positive but everywhere ive read its been swabbing ?

im confused.

 

[muppetmummy]

I've only ever heard of swabs to test. I think the bacteria usually live in the vagina or back passage

 

[Flame]

Unless you can magicly pee pee through your back end and you foo then i would say only swabs will be able to show accurate results. Urine cant show up something that lives in two differant places.

 

[Charlie:-)]

GBS can show up in your urine but have only heard of testing via a swab.

The most reliable test is an ECM and costs around £32, you order it online and either do it yourself or get your midwife to do it, then send the test to teh lab with payment.

Take a look at this website for details of GBS and also links to the 2 labs where you can purchase an ECM test.


http://www.gbss.org.uk

 

[sananbaz]

Hi All

GBS can show up in the urine - I had a positive urine culture at 19 weeks. It only shows up in the urine if it has travelled up to the bladder via the vagina. It can be quite serious to have GBS urine infection ( i was told it increased my risk of miscarriage). Because I tested positive twice in my urine, i had antibiotics throughout the rest of pregnancy. I also had intravenous antibiotics during labour, although it didn't stop my baby getting GBS related pneumonia at 15 hours old. He ended up in SCBU and had lots of tests before a diagnosis was made.
Happily, he made a full recovery and is fighting fit now (throwing slobbered on rice cakes on the floor!)
so to answer your question - GBS is tested for by using swabs, but it can also be found in a urine sample if it has spread to the urinary tract.
Based on my experience, i would recommend testing - even though the antibiotics didn't prevent him getting ill, at least the midwives were looking for signs. HTH xx

 

[Bee]

I;ve been doing some thinking about this and I think I am going to ask my midwife about it on tuesday and see about getting tested.

I know its not something they have to do but I'd rather be safe than sorry

Has anyone requested a test for this?

 

[Charlie:-)]

I;ve been doing some thinking about this and I think I am going to ask my midwife about it on tuesday and see about getting tested.

I know its not something they have to do but I'd rather be safe than sorry

Has anyone requested a test for this?

I've been diagnosed with GBS and been doing loads of research about it. From what I have found out from the main GBS charity http://www.gbss.org.uk the NHS are not very well informed so you might not get a lot of info from your midwife. Take a look at the site it has loads of info on there & also info on where you can purchase a test. The NHS dont test for GBS in most places and the tests they use are not very accurate. They are accurate when giving a positive result but around 50% of the negative results are false negatives meaning that around 50% of the women who receive a negative are actually positive.

If you do decide to test though you can get your midwife to take the test for you.

 

[Bee]

Thanks Charlie - I didn't think my midwife would have much info but its worth a try

I'll have a look at the link too