Private Group B strep test

[Princess81]

This issue has just been on our local news, so I thought I would mention it on here too.

Allegedly, 1 in 4 women carry this virus. It can be present without you even realising but can be very dangerous (even fatal) for baby during labour if antibiotics aren't administered and the baby catches the virus.

There are websites where these tests are available from, as not all NHS trusts offer the tests as a matter of course.

Just wanted to bring your attention to it so that you can educate yourself on it if you want to

Best testing is between 35 -37 weeks and it can be done via post. Lots of websites about it if you are interesed

 

[Niknak]

My midwife mentioned this when I saw her the other day - she said that they don't test for it in our trust unless the waters aren't clear when the waters break! Seems a bit silly to me, surely if it is so prevalent and has such severe consequences then they should test as standard? She also said that if you carry it then they give IV antibiotics throughout labour Will def read up about it...

 

[jomc]

Thx hun! Must mention it at my next appointment

 

[Sarah13]

I just received my test kit this week, it's good to keep promoting it as so many women don't know about it and a lot of the country still don't test for it.

 

[NinjaKitty]

I knew about strep B before bring PG. Had already decided that I was gonna get tested for it at the appropriate time. The prevention of it being passed from mum to baby is quite simple so I'm gonna go armed with the knowledge of whether its a risk or not.

 

[JoJo79]

I was routinely tested for this at booking in app, thankfully it came back neg for Group B Strep (came back pos for E-Coli tho!)

Not sure if my trust test again later on in preg tho, will def ask about it at next app xx

 

[Binzy]

I have this too, have just finished a 6 day course of anti-biotics and am waiting for my test results on Monday to see if it's been cleared up or not.
It's standard procedure to test for this in Italy at 35 weeks, but when chatting to my friends at home hardly anyone seemed to know about, the post code lottery strikes again it seems.

 

[SunnyGirl]

They should do away with that awful inaccurate tape measure test that puts the fear of God up us for most times no reason and use the money saved on unnecessary scans they send us to after crap measurements to offer this test as standard instead. Tut. Getting mine soon cos I've had Strep. in the past.

 

[Sarah13]

I had a chat with my midwife about this today as they don't test here, she kind of implied that the private tests arnt very accurate and give lots of false negatives and a way for companies to make money. I'm really unsure now whether to test or not, plus it means no home birth and a drip while I'm in labour if it comes back positive and 1 out of 3 people carry it with no problems its quite rare that baby gets the infection and it and has problems. I'm really not into medical intervention unless totally neccessary and wonder if this is yet another scare story for us to worry about. What do you think? I would also feel so guilty if baby got it cos I didn't bother testing. Hate these kind of dilemmas!

 

[SunnyGirl]

I had a chat with my midwife about this today as they don't test here, she kind of implied that the private tests arnt very accurate and give lots of false negatives and a way for companies to make money. I'm really unsure now whether to test or not, plus it means no home birth and a drip while I'm in labour if it comes back positive and 1 out of 3 people carry it with no problems its quite rare that baby gets the infection and it and has problems. I'm really not into medical intervention unless totally neccessary and wonder if this is yet another scare story for us to worry about. What do you think? I would also feel so guilty if baby got it cos I didn't bother testing. Hate these kind of dilemmas!

Gosh, that's interesting. I've literally just sent off for mine and then read this. I know what you mean about these kinds of dilemmas! They can totally do your head in, and you hear different things from different people. Makes it all so difficult... Well, it was free to send off for mine, it's when you send it back that you pay, so I might check with the MW on Tuesday and ask her opinion.
Sheesh! xx

 

[Princess81]

I spoke to my midwife about this on Monday. She said that the news clip I saw was scare-mongering. She said that they only treat it if it is found in the urine, not if it is found via vaginal swab. They don't routinely test for it anymore, and as I said if it is found via a swab then they wouldn't treat it anyway, just keep an eye on the baby. Now I am megga confused

 

[Sarah13]

Certainly sounds confusing! Guess I'm partly thinking that it would be a routine screen over the whole country like urine and bloods if it was treatable from swab results. It's the fact that you can have negative results but have it anyway that makes it seem strange! The website on the back of the leaflet my midwife gave me is http://www.gbss.org.uk/content.php?sub_id=9&section_id=3. Least we can have a good read and decide what is best for each of us

 

[Princess81]

Yeh I had a look at that site when I made this thread. My mw said to me that you can test positive for it one day, and then negative a couple days later. Like how are we ever supposed to make an informed decision on this one?

 

[Esperanza84]

I didn't know about this! Will definantly ask my midwife when I see her!

Thanks!

xx

 

[Corrinne37]

I am a carrier of this, and my little boy DID become infected at birth even though i was given anti biotics.
It was so scary, I thought i cold lose him, but he his fine now.
So def real and very scary!!
The thing with the testing is that it can come and go all the time - so that is why they do not test!!

xxx

 

[Cazzlou]

Our local NHS dont do it routinely but you can pay them £20 i think it is and get it done on the NHS.

Maybe worth asking your midwife if the NHS do it if u pay for it.

 

[Sarah13]

I am a carrier of this, and my little boy DID become infected at birth even though i was given anti biotics.
It was so scary, I thought i cold lose him, but he his fine now.
So def real and very scary!!
The thing with the testing is that it can come and go all the time - so that is why they do not test!!

xxx

That must have been so scary for you, glad he's ok now. It really does make it hard to know what to do, can understand why they dont test now though, I also read it can come and go.

 

[Princess81]

Yeah Corinne I'm glad your little man is ok now, but it must have been so scary for you
I am none the wiser now than I was before about what I should do

 

[Sarah13]

Ive woke up thinking I might just do the test anyway, then not worry about it anymore if it's negative, least if it's positive I can take steps to prevent baby getting the infection while I'm in labour and be more aware, and just hope that things are picked up if it's a false negative. Guess it's just a quick swab and £30 at the end of the day. Makes it more real hearing from women like Corinne who've been through it.

 

[Corrinne37]

Hi girls,
To give you a bit more info.
I would get the testing done as late as pos, prob about 36/37 wks (dont want to leave too late just incase go into labour).
If you come out negative then chances are you will be absolutely fine and not carrying.

They found mine as I was feeling a little itchy down there, if you carry it pregnancy hormones seem to make it worse. I scratched myself and had a little bleed, it was external, but just incase I went to hospital.
Came back positive group B strep. (even though MW says it has no symptoms I was def a bit itchy sorry tmi)
This was at 28wks - I still had it 37 wks when my waters broke prematurely (because of the strep B, was not itchy then though).
If waters break, baby is then unprotected so risk of infection become greater why my little boy did get it.

But yes, he is very healthy now and has not affected him at all, just scary few hrs after his birth.

Happy to help if any more questions. Good luck ladies. xxxxx