My DS and I dealt with some sort of infection during labor. I was GBS+, and did not have antibiotics started until 2 hours after AROM when we transferred to the hospital. In all we had antibiotics for about 3 1/2 hours before DS was born. About 3 hours before birth he began to have deep decels in his heart rate that did not return to baseline inbetween, and he was in respiratory distress at birth. After the birth I spiked a high fever. We were in the hospital for another 2 days with both of us on IV antibiotics. DS's vitals and respirations became normal about 24 hours after birth during which time he was on antibiotics, and basically just being held skin to skin. After we got him clamed down after birth, and a little time on the cpap, they felt he was "good enough" to room in with us. (Love our baby friendly hospital.) His GBS culture came back negative 48 hours later.
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One of the midwives attending said her and the OB felt the decels, DS's subsequent respiratory distress at birth, and my high fever, were due to chorioamnionitis from GBS. She said that when antibiotics are began during labor the GBS culture on baby is not always to be believed if it does come back negative. In other words, it could be a false negative, and they look more at the circumstances surrounding the birth to diagnose what happened. I have never heard of that, and just wondered if anyone else had. My midwife has years and years of experience, so I trust her. The OB I had never met, but is respected in our town, and also has many, many years of experience.
