Did anyone test positive for group b strep but choose not to have antibiotics during labor?
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I didn't, but my midwives' policy was that if you tested positive, but didn't have any of the other warning signs, you could opt out of antibiotics.
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Something got screwy with my test- I was told in my appt that I tested positive, but when I got to the hospital in labor, my chart showed negative, so they waited on the antibiotics until the lab opened and they could check. Turns out it was negative, which is good since I had her less than two hours after that call.
But my midwives strongly encouraged doing the antibiotics (if you really did test positive). They only remembered one woman who refused and they were very uncomfortable with it. Seems like there is very little downside to doing them. Then again, I think they don't even test for it in the uk much less do the antibiotics!
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I was disappointed, but did get the antibiotics. Meningitis is terrifying. Also, we decided we'd rather be able to leave the hospital early, and the policy here is that if you don't get the antibiotics they keep you longer for monitoring. We would not leave AMA for several reasons.
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I had strep b with my 2nd LO and didn't know it until I showed up at L&D because I had just been tested one week before, my Ob called in the results when I was admitted. I didn't know you could opt out of antibiotics. I would not have in any case.
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I'm doing my group b test today and the reason I ask is that I am extremely susceptible to yeast when on antibiotics. It takes me months to get straightened out even with heavy probiotics and multiple yeast med.icines. I worry about antibiotics, thrush and breastfeeding! My midwife has women that refuse antibiotics and is comfortable with that choice assuming you don't have other risk factors but I'm still a little unsure.
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@Beyond2: I totally understand your concerns, and women do refuse them. The risk of serious infection for the baby is not insignificant (I think it's maybe 1 in 200?). Maybe you can ask them to do another test closer to your due date? If you test negative within 5 weeks of delivery I don't think they recommend antibiotics? I could be wrong about all of this. If it was me, I'd start probiotics in advance, do the antibiotics, and hope for the best.
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@Beyond2: When I was interviewing home birth midwives one of them brought up an alternative to antibiotics. It is called hibiclens and she said that some places use it exclusively and have great success with it. Maybe read up on it and chat with your midwife to see if it is an option you might be comfortable with. Fingers crossed for negative though!
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@Cole: actually my midwife has women that have used this as well with excellent results! I've researched it a bit but definitly will consider it more. I'd love to hear if anyone else has used it!
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@Silva: Same. I also took the antibiotics. It was an easy decision for me.
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9 comments