Has anyone tested Positive for Strep B ?

[Gina209]

My results came in and I tested Positive for Strep B. I was so upset, but my doctor insisted that it wasn't a big deal and 40% of Pregnant women test positive for it and it is easily treated with Antibiotics during labor. But still, I've been doing some research on it and I keep reading that having Antibiotics isn't good during labor and there's still a chance my baby can get it and get meningitis or other horrible things?? I'm so confused! My doctor passed it off as not a big deal at all and I'm kind of freaking out. Anyone test positive for it?? What happened, what was your outcome?? I need some reassurance!

[GRose]

It really isn't a big deal and there is nothing to worry about. My sister and I both had it and they gave us antibiotics and that was it, both babies were fine.

[Gina209]

I understand that all they do is give you an Antibiotic when you go into labor...I was just confused on how and why people get this bacteria. But you ladies have cleared up a lot of my questions, so thank you! I just want to make sure my baby is okay..and I know not to trust everything on the internet but I just read so many things on how there is still a chance your baby can end up with other diseases because I have Strep B and that just scares me. I feel like the percentage of babies who can still get something is very high...but I guess I just have to trust my doctor and know that everything will be okay. I just can't help but worry!
Thanks for all the responses :)

[kc1021]

I tested + with Strep B with my last pregnancy and everything was fine! I just had an antibiotic with my IV and that was all.  Baby was perfectly fine.  My doc also acted like it was not a big deal, so I trusted her and things went great.  Don't believe everything you read on the internet!

[Fay1984]

Hi Gina..it's ok ,,,this is your normal flora (resident bacteria of your body) that you cant get rid of ..now by giving you the antibiotics they will lower the number of the bacteria because obviously the baby comes out through the birth canal and he can swallow or come in contact with the secretions that contain the bacteria ..now the baby has a low functioning immune system and wont tolerate it and he can end up with any of the variety of the diseases that streptococcus bacteria can cause ...by giving you the antibiotics they are actually protecting him ,,,mine is on Thursday and if i test positive it's not something i can do anything about because it’s resident bacteria and my immune system sees it as normal ...you just have to agree on taking the drugs ..
p.s a funny fact as soon as they stop the drug the number of bacteria in your body can go back to original

[ArmyPrincess819]

Yes with my older 2 kids. They just give you antibiotice in your iv before you deliver the baby. It's no biggy at least in my situation. Best of luck to you.....

[jdamico]

Gina i  tested postive  for strep  B  with both of my pregnancies and i delveired  healthy children each time  all they will do is  hang  anitbiotics when u  go in to labor.  All they  told me  was that if my water broke  for  i was inthe hospital  that  i would have to  get there so they could  start the antibiotics  right away again  it is normal  flora for the intestintal tract of  some women.
  Again they  only thing it  did with me  was the  antibiotics while in labor  and then they  kept my daughter  aan extra day  but she also had juandice ( sp)  but both of my  children are  good and healthy and am i on  baby number  three and they are  going to do the  same thing  they did with my past two deliveries good luck with  everything  not to  much longer now
jesselynn

[alaysha]

Aww sweetie you didn't do anything wrong. Strep B is just "normal flora" of the intestinal tract. You don't pick it up from anyone and it is not sexually transmitted.  The very process of living, breathing, eating and drinking colonizes your intestines and your body with different kinds of bacteria. Strep B is just one of many different kinds of bacteria that can be present. For example E. Coli is present in everyone's colon but that doesn't mean you "got it" from anyone.  It is just the normal flora. Think of it as brown hair... you either have it or you dont. For some people it stays in their system for the rest of their lives for others it goes away in a couple of months. Its just kinda a hit or miss type of thing.

[Gina209]

Thanks Ladies...I just feel like I did something wrong. I mean are you born with this? If not, was there something I could have done to prevent getting it? I feel like my doctor didn't give me any information at all. I'm a very healthy, clean person...so it just caught me by surprise and I was very upset by it. I appreciate all the info though, thank you!

[alaysha]

Both me and my sister tested positive for it and between the both of us we've delivered 3 healthy children. All they do is hook you up to antibiotics during labor replacing it every 4 hours until you have your baby. I haven't ever heard of the antibiotics being harmful but it is super harmful if you don't take them. I don't think its really that big of a deal though about 40% of all women do test positive for it. It's very common.

[FirstCub4Bear]

Im 16 weeks. I found out at my last appointment that I tested positive for it. My doctor also acted like it wasn't a big deal. It's good that they know now. It'll be in your records and they'll just treat you - no questions asked. My baby books say with antibiotics you have less than 1 percent chance of passing anything bad to your child. It's when you DON'T get the antibiotics during delivery that there are problems. I have been warned to make sure you get to the hospital at the first sign of the delivery...don't dilly dally. Make sure you get there to get that IV in asap.
Good luck. I'm sure we'll both be fine : )
Heather

[jessbbg]

Gina - how far along are you?  I'm 14 weeks :-)  I'll keep you and your baby in my prayers.

[jessbbg]

Gina - I was positive for it with my son (a happy, healthy, gifted 7 year old).  They put me on antibiotics when they admitted me for delivery.  Then my labor was stalled and I sat there bloating on an IV for three days.  I got TONS of antibiotics, because labor could have started back up at any moment.  So I was kind of a worst-case scenario, if you are afraid of the antibiotics, and he was PERFECT, and still is.  

Some of the stuff you have read that is scaring you is likely intended to---I've seen some of it, and it really irks me because at best it is poor medical reporting.  It is very non-specific data talking about increased incidence of bacterial infections in babies born to mothers who received antibiotics during delivery.  Well, the antibiotics are intended to *help* *prevent* *transmission* *of* *a* *bacterial* *infection*... so that kinda speaks for itself.  

Antibiotics don't cause bacterial infections.  Period.  They can't.  They kill bacteria.  So in that regard, rest easy.  The bottom line to consider is risk versus reward.  Of course we want everything good and wonderful and wholesome and natural for our babies.  But sometimes our imperfect world and our own imperfect condition as humans makes the ideal unattainable.  And the alternative to *not* having the antibiotics (meningitis, kidney malfunction or failure, sepsis) is just not something I'm willing to consider.  

My sister's results were mixed up at her doctor's office, so the hospital didn't have the right results for her when she had her daughter.  She was not given the antibiotics she should have received.  As a result, her daughter spent her first three months in the NICU.  

Personally, I'm having a giant sleep-shirt made to wear the minute I set foot in the hospital that says "I'm Strep B Positive" just to make sure there is no mistake.

[Avanaar]

I tested positive too and delivered my baby on Friday.  They just hook up a bag of antibiotics once you're in active labor and replace it every 4 hours until the baby is born.  My baby is healthy and doing great!  The antibiotics are there to protect your baby from getting strep, which could affect them more because their immune systems aren't developed.

One thing that I didn't know about the antibiotics tho is that it will make your hand and arm where it enters your body thru your IV *hurt*.  It's this stingy, crampy feeling, but it does get a little better after the first dose they give you.