Good article about this here:
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/groupbstrepinfection.html
Group B Strep is a bacteria that 15-40% of women carry, it's usually asymptomatic but can be dangerous for the baby. My hospital's protocol requires all GBS+ moms receive at least one dose of IV antibiotics before delivery, preferably at least three. GBS infection in the newborn is very dangerous and can progress to overwhelming sepsis and death. For this reason, all pregnant women receive a vaginal swab in the 35-37th week. If they deliver before then, they are presumed to be GBS+ and treated with antibiotics just in case.
To answer your question, it's likely you are still GBS+. Even if you were treated with antibiotics, the bacteria lives in the gut and will return. You will be tested again between 35-37 weeks but even if your swab comes out GBS-, some OB/GYNs will treat you as GBS+ anyway if you tested positive in a prior pregnancy - just to be safe.
IV antibiotics in labor greatly reduce the chances of GBS infection in the newborn. If you have been ruptured over 18 hrs or have a fever during labor or a preterm delivery, it is even more important that you recieve several doses before delivery. It's nothing to worry about or feel embarrassed about, I'd say about 20-25% of my patients are GBS+. Usually ampicillin or penicillin is given, if you are allergic to those drugs, our doctors give clindamycin.
2006-12-20 16:48:57
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answer #1
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answered by BabyRN 5
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maybe it doesn't stay in your bloodstream for life? Anyway, they're finding out that routine antibiotics are killing more babies than they're saving. Because all babies are subjected to e-coli (that's the big killer where these antibiotics are concerned) as it's everywhere. For most people and babies, not enough to make people sick, and even though a newborn's immune system is only 30% as strong as an adults, it's still there and exposure to some even though as a parent you keep it as minimal as possible, it builds their immunity to it. Unfortunately, antibiotics weaken their immune system, and in addition to that, the e-coli become anti-biotic resistant, and "very difficult to treat". So the use of antibiotics is under review, but the review is still in process. The other thing, is that a baby with GBS does appear as a sick baby, with all the regular symptoms of a sick baby, so as long as you take him/her to a doctor before it progresses, they'll be fine. It's only if everyone misses the symptoms and it progresses that it becomes a problem. When you take a baby in to a doctor if it's sick, they'll be put on antibiotics (broad spectrum) straight away and take a sample to test. If it's GBS, the broad spectrum antibiotic is the right one and they won't need to change the antibiotic. Only 1% of all babies born to mothers with GBS actually become sick from it (I know, a massive percentage when in-utero your risks are in the 100th of a percent at biggest), and the vast majority of them are fine. But even though you've been cleared, just like every baby watch out for in case he/she gets sick. And tell your doctor you've had a history of GBS so he'll definitely use antibiotics then instead of panadol or something.
2016-05-23 03:15:45
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answer #2
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answered by ? 4
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If you did with your 1st you have a much higher chance of having it with your 2nd pregnancy.I did not have it with my 1st but I am currently 31 weeks pregnant with my 2nd and I have it.I am also on Insulin shots-it stinks-but is worth it for the baby!
2006-12-20 14:40:23
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answer #3
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answered by mama of 2 3
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what does your doctor think?
2006-12-20 14:15:37
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answer #4
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answered by Amy D 2
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