Questions & Answers

I was positive with my second birth. As was stated, it's really important that you get to the hospital to start your IV antibiotics. My doctor required two rounds. Be sure and find out your doctor's protocol. With antibiotic treatment, the risk of harm to your baby is very low with Group Strep B, however it actually can be fatal if transferred to your baby during labor or childbirth, so don't fret, but do take it seriously. FYI, the first round caused a weird burning sensation in my arm and pressure in my joint close to my IV. I wasn't warned that was a possible side effect and got a little scared that I was having an allergic reaction.

I had it with my first and didn't with any other pregnancy. It's bacteria that can be harmful to your baby if you don't receive the antibiotics after your water breaks. So just make sure as soon as it breaks if you are home you head right in to reduce the risk. The IV part is no big deal, yeah you have to lug it around but when your in labor you could have a ball and chain on your ankle and you wouldn't even notice it trying to deal with contractions. It's fine. I even got into the bathtub, walked the halls all with the IV in so your not restricted. Don't worry a lot of women are positive.

Being hooked up to an IV will give you less mobility while you are getting the antibiotics but you don't have to be hooked up the whole labor. Once you are done getting them they can unhook you. You can still walk around if you don't have an epidural you'll just have to drag the pole with you if you are in the process of getting the antibiotics. If you were planning on an epidural you won't be going anywhere so it won't matter.

It really doesn't mean anything else once you go into labor they will give you the antibiotic through the IV and you and baby will be fine. My cousin had group B with 1 or 2 of her pregnancies. Don't stress yourself, it's not healthy.