I am having a strep test next week at about 37 wks pregnant....?

Question

I have read up on this and know what they do, but it's not something i remember during my first pregnancy back in 94/95. I have a regular yearly pap etc done. Is this similar to that? I feel really weird having my mail doctor do this kind of test on me. I know while giving birth he is going to see even more, but then i won't care, i will be in too much pain.
Has anyone else dealt with this? We are having an ultrasound to determine our baby's size right before this appointment and i am really stressing about that as well. From this ultrasound we will have to decide to go with a planned c-section or to keep trying for a VBAC that i want so badly. Any advice or suggestions would be great! With most everything else i am totally comfortable talking to my doctor about, but he has always only done measuring and feeling my stomach etc nothing internal.

Male doctor that is not mail doctor *laughs* i guess i was thinking about something i had to mail out while typing *laughs*

My husband seems a bit squeemish about being there for this too. He comes to all my appointments and this one because of the ultrasound and decisions he really needs to be there. I am thinking he could wait in the waiting room then they could bring him in after?

Answer 1

Congrats!
the strep test is just a simple swab externally in the vaginal area. hopefully he's checked you a few times, so you have had some sort of internal exam from him, right? i had a male doctor (and rather hot at that) deliver my first two, so i know the feeling. if he's professional, the awkwardness passes quickly.

I have had 3 children, the first tested pos for Strep b. i was given iv antibiotics, and with the second i was not even tested, just antibiotics. with the third, i tested neg, but as having a pos. before, i learned that the levels may fluxuate, so i could be neg. at the test but pos at the delivery. i went ahead and asked for the antibiotics just to be safe.

i hope you get to do your vbac, it is very common nowdays, and with doctors and nurses who know what to look for in case of complications, i hope for the best for you! multiple c-sections are just as risky, with scar tissue and all. best of luck to you!

Answer 2

You typed it well enough that I know what you're talking about! I tested positive for Group B Strep (GBS) when I was pregnant with my youngest daughter. I was told to go into the hospital as soon as possible when I went into labor. Once I got there, they gave me two rounds of IV antibiotics. They didn't get a chance to finish the second round, so my daughter ended up getting tested and I believe she was also given antibiotics. When I've gotten pregnant since then I haven't been tested for GBS again. My OB said that once you have it, they just assume that you will always have it and give you the IV antibiotics when you're in labor. That's it. HTH. Good luck!

Answer 3

I'm not sure when they started doing the strep B test on everyone - but its really not a big deal especially if you are comfortable with a pap smear. All they do is take a big q-tip and run it around your vagina a little and another one around your anus just on the outside (I was very weirded out by it my first time too)

Then he will do an internal to check for dilation.

Good luck with your decision about vbac or repeat c-section

The best to you and your family

Answer 4

I had 2 male doctors and one female doctor for both of my pregnancies. And all 3 of them had to do an internal at some point or another. It's a little uncomfortable at first but you'll get used to it. Remember to just relax...this is what your doctor does for a living. Also, you could ask him if there is a female nurse or a female doctor who can do the test for him. Just explain to him that your not exactly comfy with him doing the test. He'll either get someone else to do the test or he'll be more reassuring for you to feel comfortable with him. And, the strep test is just as quick and simple as a pap.

Answer 5

Its basically like having a pap test. With my last pregnancy, I had my strep test and then my water broke the following night, so they just treated me as if the test came back positive. That's not indicative of your test, but just sharing. Good luck on that ultrasound...fingers crossed for a VBAC for ya!

Answer 6

hmm... They did my test out of the blood work done for some issues I had later on. But my midwife told me the test would be done by swabbing the skin on my arm. So I dont even know why theyre doing an internal swab.

As far as a VBAC, dont screw around with it unless they tell you its sure to be safe. You dont want to risk the loss of your ability to have children, nor complications during birth that risk baby's health. Just thing of it as a chance to see your baby again before he's born, not a time to freak out about how he gets here.

Answer 7

At my midwifes, they let you do your own test. They just give you a cotton swab and you go in the bathroom, and wipe it from your vagina to your butt... Then you just give them the swab to test... I see no reason that you couldn't request to do it yourself. Or if not, it really shouldn't be too bad. It is quick, and your husband will probably not see a thing, unless he is trying to lol... Good Luck, and don't stress about it. It is not really a big deal...

Answer 8

they just use a long cutip(sp) and quickly swipe the area, you barely know it was done. quick and easy. Like you I was nervous about having it done, but there is really nothing to it.

I am hoping to have a VBAC with my next child as well, I wish you the luck with that. I don know it is possible.

Answer 9

Blech.... he is a professional though, so its not like its anything dirty. Just close your eyes and let him go to town down there.
Relax, God will make sure you are ok. Either way, you are almost done......hehe, soon you and your husband can get sleepless nights while the baby cries for milk and diaper changes.

Answer 10

They dont' actually stick the qtip looking thing in you. They just swab around the outside.