[ksera05]

OB appointment today. I'm starting to swell and spill some protein. Blech.<br><br>
But anyway. This turned into a bit of a rant <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> So it's a normal appointment, blah blah blah until they show me to the room and the nurse is like "undress from the waist down, we're doing the Group B strep test today". I was totally blindsided, I thought they did it at 36 weeks, so Keith and I hadn't even talked about it for weeks. But, I've been planning on refusing it all along because this baby isn't going to be even seeing my vagina at any point and so therefore the risk is minimum to nil. So, I go, "Oh, I'm waiving that". And the nurse ARGUES WITH US!!! She was like "well, you can't do that, the pediatricians want it" Keith is like, "um, yes we can, and if the pediatrician has a problem with it we'll take it up with him". She finally huffed something like "well I'll let Dr. S argue with you" and walked away.<br><br>
Erm. Ok. I was so not in the mood for confrontation. So now I'm all nervous about seeing the OB. He finally comes in and is all chatty and doesn't even bring it up until halfway through. And then, when he does bring it up, he's basically like, "well, it's totally within your right to not consent". I mean, obviously, he's not in support of me refusing it, but as he put it, it's his job to inform me of the risks and benefits and my job to make a decision. And I made a decision. And funny, he didn't argue with us about it at all. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngtongue.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Stick Out Tongue"><br><br>
Not that it really matters. Even if I was positive, in planned c/s when the water doesn't break beforehand, they don't do the antibiotics anyway. And even the doctor admitted that the chance of my water breaking before February 11th is almost nil. Hehe.<br><br>
I swear though, what is it with the nurse thinking that I'll just undress on command and getting upset when I don't agree? It's going to blow their minds when I refuse vaginal exams to check my "progress" at 36/37/38 weeks. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/eyesroll.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="roll"> And the way she looked at us felt like she was classifying us under the "stupid" catagory. Keith later told me it was the same look he gets from customers who inform him he's too young to be a manager.<br><br>
Gotta love OB offices...heh. I'm currently envious of all of you homebirthing and UCing mamas <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> I really like my OB, probably the best doctor I've ever had, but man that nurse annoyed me today <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked">:

 

[BinahYeteirah]

So silly of her to insist you have the swab when you're having a planned c-section! How irritating.

 

[flapjack]

I think you handled that very well.<br><br>
FWIW, I'm planning a HB, but I've been advised that I "have" to transfer 18 hours after my waters break for IV antibiotics if I'm not in active labour because of GBS, and they don't even swab for GBS here. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/rolleyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="rolleyes">: Not going to happen, obviously...

 

[kathywiehl]

That is so odd that she would argue like that when you are planning a csection anyway! This is my problem with doctors and nurses. No matter what you have planned or who you are, they treat everyone with the same exact tests and procedures. It's like one size fits all maternity care and all of us are different!<br><br>
I wonder if writing a letter to the doc would open his eyes a bit to how the nurse treated you and prompt him to explain to her that c-section patients don't need the routine GBS testing.....as if it's no big deal to get naked and let them stick things in your vagina just for the sake of routine.

 

[LoveChild421]

sounds like the nurse didn't read your info (like you said, with a planned C-section what's the point?). That's funny that the Dr. was more laidback about it than the nurse. I think they just get in a hurry and anyone who doesn't just hop right on their assembly line just gets them miffed.<br><br>
I hope the swelling goes down and hopefully the protein spilling will stop. I know that has to be a bit scary with what you went through before...although at least you are a LOT farther along this time around.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug">

 

[ksera05]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>flapjack</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/10250450"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I think you handled that very well.<br><br>
FWIW, I'm planning a HB, but I've been advised that I "have" to transfer 18 hours after my waters break for IV antibiotics if I'm not in active labour because of GBS, and they don't even swab for GBS here. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/rolleyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="rolleyes">: Not going to happen, obviously...</div>
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Oh geez <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/eyesroll.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="roll"> Out of curiosity, I know you're thinking you'll just UC, but if you decided to call the midwife, couldn't they just do the abx at home (if you wanted them)? The practice I was with before I had Sydney, if you decided to do the GBS swab and tested positive and wanted the antibiotics, they just ran an IV line at your house.<br><br>
They are insane about testing for GBS here. (and like every other thing that could possibly ever go wrong, it feels like...don't even get me started on GTT testing <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngtongue.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Stick Out Tongue">) It is ridiculous. I think you could end up refusing something almost every visit here if you tried hard enough <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"><br><br><div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>LoveChild421</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/10251206"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I hope the swelling goes down and hopefully the protein spilling will stop. I know that has to be a bit scary with what you went through before...although at least you are a LOT farther along this time around.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"></div>
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Thanks. At this point I know the baby will be OK. I just don't want to go through that hell again. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment">

 

[Writerbird]

I was told the GBS was at 36 weeks too. For a nurse obsessed with procedure, her timing was sure weird <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
I think my practice has instructed the nurses to never argue. I cheerfully decline things all the time, and about half the time, they say (very politely) that the doctor may wish to discuss the issue further. I take it as a head's-up, not a threat, based on the tone.<br><br>
Funny, the doctors DO wish to discuss it further, but the midwives usually go, "sure, that's cool."

 

[smokeylo]

GBS seems like a lose-lose situation. I have the option of taking the test with my hb midwife so we'd know if I transferred so they wouldn't automatically give me the abx if I don't have it... but I really don't want to take it. Blah. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked">: Sorry your nurse was so friggin' rude.

 

[jentina]

Sounds like you did awesome! My mw does GBS at 36. The literature she gave us says it's more reliable when done later on, since it can come and go I guess. Of course, at their office, the patient does the swab herself, which I think is great.

 

[the elyse]

anybody not doing it? mine is optional...haven't put much thought into it.

 

[sewingmomma]

Id never refuse it we almsot lost our 3rd son to GBS

 

[Kitten]

I am having it done today (36 weeks). We're having a homebirth. It's mostly for if we have a hospital transfer, so the hospital leaves us alone if its negative, or if my water should break more than a day or so before labor starts. Even then we plan on doing just the hibiclens treatment. MW said she can do IV antibiotics at a home birth but doesn't recommend it (due to overuse of antibiotics). She said its rare for her clients to have their water break early, or even for them to test positive since most of her clients use daily probiotics.<br><br>
But I agree, that is nutty for the nurse to go bonkers over your declining the test. Even if you were having a vaginal birth, it's your choice to make, not hers.

 

[ksera05]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>sewingmomma</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/10252274"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Id never refuse it we almsot lost our 3rd son to GBS</div>
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I'm sorry <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"><br><br>
The risk really just isn't there for me though. If baby is born via c/s where my water isn't broken before hand, and comes out with a GBS infection, I have much larger issues than whether I did the test or not. Especially since, even if I do the test, I won't be on antibiotics for long enough beforehand to prevent GBS (I won't even be getting to the hospital until 2 hours before my section and the antibiotics take 4 hours to be effective, from what I understand.) If for some odd reason my water breaks beforehand, they can go ahead and run the abx if we feel the risk is there, as they'll have to run abx for my c/s anyway.<br><br>
I totally understand where you are coming from though!

 

[ksera05]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>smokeylo</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/10251876"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">GBS seems like a lose-lose situation. I have the option of taking the test with my hb midwife so we'd know if I transferred so they wouldn't automatically give me the abx if I don't have it... but I really don't want to take it. Blah. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked">: Sorry your nurse was so friggin' rude.</div>
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Maybe you could do all the 'test negative' protocols (garlic, probiotics, etc) and then take the test?<br><br>
I really need to start taking probiotics. Like, yesterday. I've been so bad about it this pregnancy <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/bag.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Bag">:

 

[Dea]

Although I'm having a home birth I still am seeing my OB for shadow care, and every appointment I have with her the nurse tells me to strip down and drape the sheet.<br>
I never do and the doctor never comments about it.<br>
Oi.<br>
I will get tested for GBS though, I know the odds are rare that the baby can get infected, but the test doesn't hurt me, and if I transfer I don't want hassles.<br><br>
That being said my midwife says that she can give an IM antibiotics shot if needed, and only if there are more than one factor, so testing positive isn't enough. She says I would also need a fever or another marker also, which apparently is the way it's done in Canada.

 

[kathywiehl]

Okay, but what is the point of doing it in the first place? Can't you test positive at 36 weeks, then negative at 38, then pos again at 40? I've read that it can change constantly, so a positive test at 36 weeks means nothing by the time you actually birth the baby? Am I wrong?

 

[Selesai]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>kathywiehl</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/10254682"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Okay, but what is the point of doing it in the first place? Can't you test positive at 36 weeks, then negative at 38, then pos again at 40? I've read that it can change constantly, so a positive test at 36 weeks means nothing by the time you actually birth the baby? Am I wrong?</div>
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I think you might be right there. thanks for pointing it out-- I'll have to remember to ask my midwife.<br><br>
I am going to have it done, I have to be in the hospital anyway (VBAC) and while I'll be really mad if I have to receive antibiotics, I am told that I can minimize the amount of times my kid gets poked, so I think it's worth it. Babies don't need to be poked when they're so new.

 

[lovetobemama]

Does anyone know what happens if you aren't in the hospital for 4 hours before the baby is born, and you have tested positive? I don't plan on heading to the hospital with enough time to have 4 full hours for abx before I would be ready to deliver. I haven't had the test yet, but was positive with DS, so I won't be super upset if I am positive again.<br>
If I find out that I am positive, and don't get the abx in a full 4 hours before, does that mean that they would want to do something to DS as a precaution? I need to check with the hospital on their policy, but I just thought I would throw it out here in case someone knew about it.

 

[TrishWSU]

Ok, besides the fact that it's virtually a pointless test with a planned c/s, the fact that she just wanted you to strip down for a GBS test is ridiculous. Both times now that I have done it-with my MW and at the OBs office-I did the swab myself. I think that's my biggest issue with the medical model of care-they just expect you to blindly follow along and do what they tell you and not ask questions. I loved the fact that my midwife took the time to explain every test or procedure that's routinely done and gave me information about why and how it's done, what's the purpose of it, what are the benefits/risks of it and then gave me the option of whether I wanted to have it done. You know, she actually treated me like I had more than 2 working brain cells in my head and I am capable of making my own decisions.<br><br><div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Dea</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/10254609"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">That being said my midwife says that she can give an IM antibiotics shot if needed, and only if there are more than one factor, so testing positive isn't enough. She says I would also need a fever or another marker also, which apparently is the way it's done in Canada.</div>
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This was the same with my midwife. We had the abx on hand at my house, but I signed the consent form ahead of time that I only wanted them if I was showing any sign of an actual infection or increased risk factor, i.e. waters broken for longer than 18 hours but not in active labor, fever during labor, pre-term labor (but then we'd be a the hospital anyway.) If I'm remembering the stats rights, out of all the women who are GBS + at the time they give birth, 40% of those babies born vaginally will have the GBS bacteria on them, but only 1% of that 40% will actually develop into an actual infection. There is also a lot of debate about the safety and reliability of the abx. If it is given too soon or too late it may not be effective, and it's still possible for the baby to develop an infection after the abx are given but now you may be dealing with a strain that is resistant to the abx and harder to treat. Plus there's that whole possibility of thrush and yeast infections that go along with abx.<br><br>
For me the risk is so low that even if I know I am GBS+ I do not want to treat unless the signs of an infection are actually present.<br><br><div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>kathywiehl</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/10254682"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Okay, but what is the point of doing it in the first place? Can't you test positive at 36 weeks, then negative at 38, then pos again at 40? I've read that it can change constantly, so a positive test at 36 weeks means nothing by the time you actually birth the baby? Am I wrong?</div>
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Nope, you are actually 100% correct. Even someone who tests neg at 36 weeks may be positive by the time they go into labor, but they will not receive the abx because they were neg at the time of the test. Makes you wonder how accurate and effective that can be, huh?

 

[mama_nym]

I'm having a homebirth but have decided to take the test because some hospitals will put BABY on antibiotics in the case of hospital transfer if mom hasn't had the GBS test! I'd rather test positive and have to take antibiotics (or whatever my midwives' course of action is) than have my baby subjected to antibiotics unnecessarily.