midwife making me swab myself for group b strep

[xxcourtlynxx]

I have a doctors appointment in the morning to test for gbs. My midwife never done a pelvic exam or checked my cervix, which I understand not wanting to cause i fection and whatnot. But is it normal for her to make me swab myself? I thought that was her job?? This kind of upsets me. She acts like anytime I bring up being checked or the whole swabbing, that it's nasty or something.
Also, I'd been having a lot of Braxton hicks here in the past two days, do y'all think there's a good chance I'll possibly get checked at my appointment in the morning?

[Blessingbaby15]

Im confused isn't this section for 18_24 of course they are young mothers isn't nothing wrong with that I figured if you had responded to this you would be in that age range has well people need to stop criticizing young mothers smh

[ftmmay22]

Destynee2015 I'm with ya

[Ceri111]

I've never heard of a group b strep test ? Feel a bit lost...I didn't get examined or swabbed or checked until I was in labour though and even then I only agreed to one check, I checked myself after going through transition as I knew I was 10 cm :) haha

[Kirstie_MHModerator]

Ladies, enough with the insults and personal jabs.  It's fine to have different opinions, and it's possible to do so without being rude.  Also, this thread is a couple of days old and the appointment was yesterday.  The test has already been done (or not) by this time.

[Destynee2015]

Thats funny coming from someone who is only 21 ;)

[sabbylopez]

A lot of young mothers aren't educated and clearly have a lot of anger in them. By no means was I giving attitude. All I was stating was she didn't need to worry about doing the test herself. And it isn't routine because if it was you wouldn't have a choice to do the test or not and you do have a choice.

[Destynee2015]

It is routine. If all I have to do is get swabbed to find out if im a carrier, why not? Also, I was swabbed during labor and found out that I had it and was treated right away. I just wouldnt risk my babies health period. If theres a "chance baby can get it" its my job as a mother to take preventative measures. To each their own but I think its VERY NECESSARY. Im glad you took care of it yourself courtlynn and totally understand why it may have been uncomfortable doing it yourself. Take care.

[sabbylopez]

The test is NOT routine just like it isn't routine to get an ultrasound, or deliver at a hospital, erythromycin on the babies eyes after birth, the vitamin k shot, or even vaccinating. I have done my research about strep b for over two years. I've made an educated decision for my children. Not a f.e.a.r decision (fact exaggerated appearing real) doctors will scare you these days to do anything and they don't even tell you what it is. You can disagree with me all you want. The outcome of your babies health is on you no one else.

[EmaleeJoy]

Yeah, I would get it.... Considering I've known one person who died from it all because she had it and burned herself with her curling iron (she died 4 days after getting it, she went brain dead). And I was almost hospitalized myself. It can be extremely fatal to infants. I wouldn't recommend taking that risk. It's also been on more than one of those "monsters inside me" episodes and one where the girl did actually die.

[Rng2006]

I highly disagree with sabbylopez.  If there is even a slight chance I could prevent any harm to my baby, I will do it. Whether it be a simple swab test or something more invasive, I will do it. This test IS routine and it DOES and has prevented infections and complications in newborns and it also helps to prevent late onset infections in babies. Yes, this bacteria may come and go and you could test positive at 36 weeks and negative at birth. Big deal.. so you take antibiotics during labor when it isn't needed. I just think a simple test that could potentially save my baby's life is well worth it. There is no harm in taking it. To each his own.. I guess..

[sabbylopez]

And the test isn't that hard all you do is stick the tip in your vagina and then swab the outside of your butt hole. I refused the test with my first child and second and will be with this one. The doctors didn't agree with my first and told me I didn't know anything and he wasn't gonna be held liable for bla bla bla but my midwife agrees with me it is a pointless test.

[sabbylopez]

There is a 1-2% chance you giving baby strep b to your child with or without antibiotics. Also strep b can come and go whenever and it had been know in 15% of women that tested positive at 36 weeks will test negative during labor visa versa. It's a very small chance your baby will contract it. But if your baby DOES there is a 50% chance of mortality. So truly it is a pointless test. Because women tt test negative at 36 weeks could be positive in labor and not even know.

[xxcourtlynxx]

It's not the whole me doing it myself I found to be odd by itself, it's just anytime you ever mention to be checked or whatever, she acts like it's gross. This is my first baby and anytime I ever pictured pregnancy, I'd picture the whole cervical checks and blood drawings, ect. it's just something I dreaded to experience but yet I still wanted too because it's part of pregnancy.
And my midwife didn't give me the option to not have the test done. She said it was a requirement because of it being so dangerous for the baby.
Some people just don't feel comfortable doing the swab themselves Afraid they'd do it wrong or whatever. That was my fear. What if I do have strep b and I swabbed myself wrong and then the culture come back negative and I don't get those antibiotics and my baby gets sick? That's the whole reason behind me wanting her to do it.

[EmaleeJoy]

You can always decline, but strep B can be extremely dangerous if your baby gets it... It can become septic and kill you if you were to be infected by it (not just have colonized strep b) or your baby if they were to get it... I actually am still currently taking my antibiotics because I just found out I have strep B in my bladder and almost had to be hospitalized. I also had a friend die from it becoming septic since she was unaware she had it. I would definitely recommend getting it and it's always okay to do it yourself if that's what your doctor/'midwife permits. It is strange but definitely okay

[MissTroya]

Im new to this pregnancy thing dnt laugh but wat do u mean by swab?? im only 5 weeks this will be my first baby

[traciv]

Step b test is a routine test. They need to know if you are a carrier so they can treat you while in labor so yiu don't pass it to baby. My doctor swabbed me but I wouldn't have been upset if she had asked me to do it in the bathroom.

[AshFirstTimeMammy]

Ya i went today for midwife appointment and she handed me the swab to do it myself while I was going to toilet to give urine sample. I didn't think anything of it to be honest I was going there anyway so I didn't see anything wrong with me swabbing myself! It's generally not a routine test either just if yiu have symptoms then they recommend you do a swab test

[sabbylopez]

Actually legally it is your choice to have the test done or not. Obs don't give you the option to decline it or accept it usually when they check you at 36 weeks they swab you and some women don't even know!!! There is no reason for an ob to have to swab you. I swab myself for group strep b if I wanted to test for it. There is no need for a doctor to do it. Read up on it before saying it's "her" job.

[xxcourtlynxx]

Well. I went to the doctor and of course, she didn't check me or swab me after I asked her to. I ended up having to swab myself. On the plus side, baby is head down and getting ready to drop (so she says)

[smallbby]

im with destynee

[xxcourtlynxx]

It's too late to switch doctors now, or else I would.
I just know that if I get pregnant again, I'll be going to the other doctor my hospital offers.

[Destynee2015]

Id get a different midwife. Thats not your job hun. Your not the one getting paid, she is.

[Mommy2be_06_03]

That's really odd.. It's definitely her job to do it

[Allocate]

I dont blame you at all