Have any of the GBS+ mamas delivered yet? - Page 2

[SoulJourney]

I tend to be a glutton for punishment, so it seems, so I'd be ok with a jab in the thigh. Probably wouldn't even phase me with everything else going on!

[spiritmomma]

Hi guys... sorry I'm a little late joining in here, but I also tested GBS+ and am planning a waterbirth.

The reason you need to have the antibiotics administered intraveinously rather than intramuscularly is that it reaches the baby MUCH more quickly via the bloodstream. The muscular injection takes a lot longer and is less effective.
The best advice I can give is WAIT AS LONG as possible before going to the hospital (even if you are in the parking lot laboring for a while before going in.) It is more likely that way that you'll only need one injection and then you can request to have the IV removed. You will run the risk of getting jabbed more than once, but you'll be less restricted in the tub.

[SoulJourney]

Hi spiritmomma! That makes sense. What are they doing for you at the ABC? How are you feeling, BTW? Anxious as everyone else, I'm sure!

[spiritmomma]

I am trying my hardest to let go of the need to have the baby right now. On a spiritual level, it is not helping me to be so impatient. I am starting to worry that I'll have to go back to work only a few weeks after the baby comes. I am starting to worry that we'll run out of money. I am nervous that I won't be able to go to any of my family's holiday stuff.

In other words, I am totally going crazy.

None of those things are likely to happen. And if they are, then that is what I need to experience. I am working hard to let go of the anxiety and just BE.

The positive GBS test threw me for a loop since the entire rest of my pregnancy had been so, well... uneventful. I fought it at first, too. "No one's going to make me have an IV during my labor...blah, blah." That kind of thing. But really, I needed to realize that if this was the worst that my pregnancy experience was going to be, I should be thankful that I don't have more to worry about. With the antibiotics, the chances of anything happening to me or my baby are so slim. I should count my blessings.

Sorry to hijack! But I do feel better for getting that off my chest!~

[flyingspaghettimama]

Originally Posted by spiritmomma

But really, I needed to realize that if this was the worst that my pregnancy experience was going to be, I should be thankful that I don't have more to worry about. With the antibiotics, the chances of anything happening to me or my baby are so slim. I should count my blessings.

Sorry to hijack! But I do feel better for getting that off my chest!~

That is a great perspective on the matter. Compared to my last pregnancy, which was filled with sad, scary interventions throughout (preterm labor, preeclampsia), this is pretty minimal. Thanks for that thought!

[SoulJourney]

I agree with FSM...that's such a great outlook to have on things. I was the same way...didn't even think of the possibility of *me* being GBS+ and I was NOT going to have any interventions or be hooked up to *anything*. That's what I get for being so self righteous, eh?! I am very thankful that things have gone so beautifully for me, though. I know a girl who is due a week after me and has had six surgeries b/c she has nearly gone into kidney failure during pregnancy. I don't know all of the specifics of her problems (she's a friend of a close friend) but I just feel so horrible for her to have to go through what she's going through!

[vkberes]

I was lurking and came across your post. Hopefully I am not butting in. I was GBS+ for both of my pregnancies. My first was a hospital birth and I was given anti-biotics. The second was a water birth at a freestanding birth center and I opted for no anti-biotics. It was a difficult decision but I did a lot of research and talked to various people. My birth went well and fortunately my bags of water did not break until right before my dd came out. She was healthy as could be.

It is true that there are several strains and some carry a higher risk for complications. Fortunately mine was not a strain of high concern although if I was at a hospital they would have still treated me. There are several homepathic treatments. I did several of them with no success but they do work for some people. Unfortunately I can't remember what they were! So much information was swirling around my head at the time! Another option, in addition to the IM shots, is to orally take anti-biotics. This can be a little trickier since you have no clue when you will go into labor. Typically you follow one course of treatment at the very end of your pregnancy and then get re-cultured. An important point is if you get re-cultured and come up negative and decide against the anti-bitoics route you must use a condom with your partner since GBS can be passed back and forth.

Here is a link I sifted through during my research. It has a lot of random info, almost a bit much.

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/gbs.html#Repeat

Hugs mama in regard to whatever decision you make and peaceful birthing wishes to you!

[rsjamison42]

Originally Posted by spiritmomma

The best advice I can give is WAIT AS LONG as possible before going to the hospital (even if you are in the parking lot laboring for a while before going in.) It is more likely that way that you'll only need one injection and then you can request to have the IV removed. You will run the risk of getting jabbed more than once, but you'll be less restricted in the tub.

My MW told me that I have to have at least two doses for it to be effective, which means I'd have to be there at least 4 hours before the birth. I've thought about just waiting longer, but I don't want to subject my daughter to any more tests than necessary, and the MW said if there was any doubt at all they'd keep her at least two days and do all sorts of tests. Is the two treatment thing not true? We're planning on penicillan.

[SoulJourney]

I'm not sure how true the two treatment deal is, but I know that's what my providers go by. And you brought up something I wasn't thinking of: If I *don't* get the two treatments in, they probably *will* want to subject my baby to more testing/observations. I suppose it's best to just suck it up and have both treatments, IMO. I may see if they can just stick me twice, though, instead of using a heplock. I would rather have two needles stuck in me than be hindered by plastic wrapped around my arm if I want to get in the water!