GBS in pregnancy

[sunshinejanie]

I tested positive for gbs in my urine and my mw put me on oral antibiotics for ten days. She said that I would also be getting antibiotics during labor. I asked her if the gbs puts my baby at risk now and she said no. I have read that being gbs positive during pregnancy can cause pprom, stillbirth,ect. Who's right? I am 31 weeks now and I want to make sure I am doing the best thing for my baby.

[RedOakMomma]

I think you're fine. I've been GBS positive for the birth of three of my children, and always opted for the antibiotics in labor. With a hep-lock, it's just not a big deal (plus I always put it in my birth plan that I only want antibiotics by IV...no fluids that I couldn't just drink myself). Keeps it pretty low-intervention, yk?

[JessieBird]

Hmmm...I was GBS+ when DS was born but was only tested at 37 weeks. It is not standard to test any earlier here. I did opt for the antibiotics during labour but will also be tested a few weeks earlier this time around so I have more time to treat it naturally and hopefully avoid the anitbiotics if I'm + again.

As for earlier in pregnancy, I thought it was very normal for all people including pregnant women to be GBS+ from time to time, that it comes and goes in your gut and does not require treatment. I'm curious to see what others say about risks to the baby while in utero. I would assume that the risks can't be great or my MW practice would test a lot earlier.

FYI - there are lots of natural ways to clear GBS from your system without antibiotics. If you've already started the antibiotics, it's best to continue them, but search previous threads in this forum for info if you're curious.

[sunshinejanie]

[sunshinejanie]

Anyone else?

[JessieBird]

I was curious so googled around a bit. It seems that GBS detected in urine is different from when it is detected via the vaginal swab which is the usual 37 week test (at least around here it is). But I couldn't find any specific information on what exactly the difference is, sorry!

Since you've already started the antibiotics now, I'd say it's best to continue with them. However, if you have misgivings about receiving antibiotics during labour, then I'd suggest you be re-tested at about 38 weeks. You may be free of the GBS by then and there would be no need for the treatment during birth.

[terra-pip]

This is my third pregnancy and I tested positive for GBS with my second. I have never heard of using antibiotics for it while pregnant though. That seems a bit overkill actually. Maybe you can request a retest to see if it's gone. I'm due to have my test for it in a couple weeks and I've been eating so much Vit C foods and extra vitamins in the hopes that I won't test positive again. I've also heard that it can come and go. I've decided that if I'm positive this time I'm going to ask for a retest before consenting to antibiotics in labor. There is a very slight risk to your baby after birth...so slight that it's really nothing to worry about. I wouldn't not use the antibiotics but at the same time it's a comfort in labor thing and the fact that I would be looking at staying in the hospital for 3 days rather than 24 hours...that's what I would like to avoid. I hate needles and I want to go home soon after birth. Those are my only concerns.

Seems your test was done pretty early too. I've always had mine done around 37 weeks or so.

[RedOakMomma]

I think it's common practice to treat with abx when GBS is in your urine vs. just in your vagina. I think? presence in the urine means a more pervasive colonization/infection that can be more serious to the baby. Not sure why, though.

OP, have you asked your dr. about this?

[mediumcrunch]

A GBS UTI is a different animal than a positive vaginal/perineal swab. A GBS UTI indicates more pervasive colonization and poses a higher risk of infection passing to the baby. It is also a risk factor for premature labor and PPROM. Standard of care is to treat the UTI like any other with oral abx and consider mom GBS+ for labor and administer IV abx.

[sunshinejanie]

Originally Posted by RedOakMomma

I think it's common practice to treat with abx when GBS is in your urine vs. just in your vagina. I think? presence in the urine means a more pervasive colonization/infection that can be more serious to the baby. Not sure why, though.

OP, have you asked your dr. about this?

I asked my mw about the risk to the baby now because I have read there is a risk but, she said there is no risk. She did say that I would need antibiotics during labor/delivery but, nothing else. I just don't feel like she is taking this seriously. I do not want something to possibly happen to my baby because she doesn't think there is an issue now. I have read in multiple articles that there is a risk to the unborn baby if gbs is found in the mother such as pprom, stillbirth, ect.

[sunshinejanie]

Originally Posted by mediumcrunch

A GBS UTI is a different animal than a positive vaginal/perineal swab. A GBS UTI indicates more pervasive colonization and poses a higher risk of infection passing to the baby. It is also a risk factor for premature labor and PPROM. Standard of care is to treat the UTI like any other with oral abx and consider mom GBS+ for labor and administer IV abx.

I didn't have a uti, she just teated me for gbs ( I am assuming it was because I had gbs with my last birth). Test came back + for gbs in urine and she started me on a ten day course of antibiotics. I have no problem being treated during labor my concern is the safety of my baby now.

[mediumcrunch]

Originally Posted by sunshinejanie

I didn't have a uti, she just teated me for gbs ( I am assuming it was because I had gbs with my last birth). Test came back + for gbs in urine and she started me on a ten day course of antibiotics. I have no problem being treated during labor my concern is the safety of my baby now.

If they are able to culture out GBS in your urine, you had a UTI. An asymptomatic one, but one none the less. Urine should be sterile.
Having GBS in your urine means you have a higher than 'normal' colonization. Whatever abx she has you on now should take care of the GBS in your urine and prevent anything like PPROM. Of course, any thing else you want to do to optimize bladder health and keep the GBS down in your system (garlic, hibiclens douche etc...) are always on the table.

[RedOakMomma]

Originally Posted by sunshinejanie

I asked my mw about the risk to the baby now because I have read there is a risk but, she said there is no risk. She did say that I would need antibiotics during labor/delivery but, nothing else. I just don't feel like she is taking this seriously. I do not want something to possibly happen to my baby because she doesn't think there is an issue now. I have read in multiple articles that there is a risk to the unborn baby if gbs is found in the mother such as pprom, stillbirth, ect.

I think that's if the GBS in your urine goes untreated. Once you do this round of antibiotics, no doubt they/she will keep testing your urine to make sure it's sterile and free of infection. The only GBS you need to worry about pre-labor is the stuff in your urine or bladder.

Having GBS in your vagina is not a big deal, and will not harm the baby while you're pregnant. The only possible harm it can do is during labor, which is why you'll get the IV antibiotics if you choose to have them.