GBS Positive and What it Means for You

[@birthtoolbox]

What are your questions about GBS? Please below!

[@TB-zy2kf]

Some things that would be nice to see added: 1. Can you refuse the test or antibiotic (not saying you should)? 2. What happens to baby if they contract GBS? 3. Can baby receive treatment if it turns out you have GBS but weren't tested or had tested negative at the time? 4. What alternative medications are available for treatment, if allergic? 5. What do non-US provider do for GBS? Do they test for it?

[@larinarooks7214]

Can you test negative and then positive at time of delivery and if yes what could be the cause.

[@jykirachanelle2599]

what are some of the symptoms? how can it be cured?

[@HeathersCultureCrossings]

Can it resurface after 20 years?

[@birthtoolbox]

@@HeathersCultureCrossings yes, it can come and go throughout your lifetime

[@laurenswift9368]

I have tested positive for pregnancy # 2, #3, and now #4. Great information that allows mothers to make their own decision without swaying them. I have chosen to get treatment all three times partially because of a situation with a baby whose mother was not treated during labor, that was very close to home. Each round has been different in how it worked out. I got in two treatments for #2, and half a treatment for #3, and we’ll see what happens for #4. However this information really does allow for each to make their own decision without so much mud-slinging. P.S. I’m not in any kind of bump group or fb group but if other mothers ask for resources, I’ll be happy to pass them along to your channel!

[@birthtoolbox]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. It is nice to hear how each of your births went in regards to GBS treatment. And thank you for being willing to share about the channel. ❤Alice

[@homegirlshy]

I found your video because when I had my first & only child ( and pregnancy ) back in 2011. I was in labor a TOTAL of 1 hr, @ the hospital 15 min. I'd tested positive for this and for obvious reasons I wasn't able to get treated, much less an any kind of pain relief Lol. My son was %100 healthy. I was always curious what exactly this was though, so thank you for sharing this & your knowledge!

[@birthtoolbox]

You are so welcome! What a speedy labor!

[@homegirlshy]

@@birthtoolbox haha, indeed! I'm not sure if it's true, but my obgyn back then told me that extremely fast labor's are 10x intense & painful because you go from 0-60 (I should say 0-10) in a snap.

[@birthtoolbox]

Yes, I think the intensity would be extreme.

[@ClaraSais]

I had it with my daughter we were both very ill for a week, wish I’d known about it beforehand. Currently doing 100 skips a day in October to raise money for Group B Strep Support.

[@birthtoolbox]

Best of luck with your fundraising efforts!

[@ClaraSais]

@@birthtoolbox thank you. I’ve raised £85 so far.

[@camillefranks4498]

New doula here. This video was extremely informative. Thank you for making it so simple. I feel I can totally explain GBS to clients at this point.

[@birthtoolbox]

Glad it was helpful! Many doulas share the videos with clients! Actually as a doula, I share them with my own clients.

[@birthtoolbox]

Hi Camille, You might be interested in this... I am going to be teaching a childbirth class LIVE right here on my channel for 14 days straight starting on December 1st. The class will be one hour and will start at 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT. I hope you can join! Please share with your friends as well. Here is the link to class #1. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWaalJyMmrKUd6c

[@florencia.colella]

Alice, thank you for making the video small and to the bottom left at the end, so we can get access to other content from you while still watching the video. It does not go unnoticed and is much appreciated.

[@birthtoolbox]

You are welcome!!

[@LeftieLoosie]

I have been negative the first 3 pregnancies and I haven't had my test yet this time... but now if I were to be positive, I'd feel a lot more prepared and informed!

[@birthtoolbox]

Hope you continue with the negative streak.

[@0x0rOSRS]

Second pregnancy here and positive for gbs and first pregnancy ended in misscarriage now im currently 20w3d. I ended going to hospital due to some light bleeding which wss when they discovered i have GBS and they said they are going to provide me with antibiotics when i go into labour

[@birthtoolbox]

Yes, that sounds like a standard practice. Wishing you all the best. So glad to have you visiting the channel.

[@idarahayu5975]

Do I have to go through C-Section if I'm tested positive for GBS? I'm 37 weeks pregnant and I am really very worried if things didn't turn out the way we planned. What are the chances of me having a normal delivery and how bad can it affect the baby? I'm really very very worried and sad. I'm scared to give birth now, I don't want anything to happen to the baby. I couldn't think straight 😭😭😭💔

[@birthtoolbox]

GBS + is quite common, About 40% of people test positive. Your care providers will give you antibiotics in labor so that the chance of your baby being affected goes way down.

[@umuabdirahmaan5352]

I’m 37 weeks and I have All my pregnants GBS.

[@birthtoolbox]

Thanks for sharing! Best of luck during your upcoming birth.

[@svetakontorska2467]

Doctor, please tell me when you havinga plan ed c section do you also have to have antibiotics prior to surgery? And what if water breaks before schedualed c section-will doctor put you on antibitiocs on that moment before maki g a surgery?

[@birthtoolbox]

Hello! I’m not a doctor, but I can answer your question. With surgery they will likely do antibiotics prior to surgery if water break or not.

[@svetakontorska2467]

@@birthtoolbox thank you for answer

[@CCAnne]

I was positive in one of my pregnancies but not the last 3 and I’m worried if I have it the baby won’t be treated 😭 I know it’s silly I know micro biome is so important I’m all about no intervention I do not know why this pregnancy I’m worried about this

[@birthtoolbox]

I understand what you mean. GBS is such a tricky one!

[@mistynewsome9275]

So they found it in my urine

[@danielazavala5978]

I was tested positive at my 36 week appointment and was told to get antibiotics , will this affect the baby?

[@birthtoolbox]

Antibiotics are given in order to reduce the possibility of the GBS virus affecting the baby.

[@freyareikigoddess]

My ob tested me for GBS when I was around 24 weeks and showed positive and I was given antibiotics back then and she told me she doesn’t retest again at 36 weeks and I asked how does one know it went away? And why not retest if it is negative then I may not not need antibiotics...pls advise

[@birthtoolbox]

Yes! This is an excellent question. Most providers (in the US) have this same policy that once you get a positive test that you are assumed positive. Many people ask to retest and are denied a retest. The strange thing about GBS is that everyone could have a different result (positive or negative) when labor starts! It's a test that is far from perfect. I hope that was helpful. Please let me know if you would like any clarification or if I can help in any other way.

[@hq4547]

Thank you for your series!!.. I have a question: since the GBS comes and goes, and since the vaginal culture gives the result of the time of testing and even if the test came positive, isn't there a chance that the mother at the time of birth is negative and was given antibiotics for no real reason?! And What effects that might cause??...

[@birthtoolbox]

This is a great question! You are absolutely correct. You can be GBS + at test time and then not be positive at birth and vice versa as well. Getting antibiotics in labor could have an effect on the baby's gut microbiome. If you want a really in depth exploration on this topic check out this course microbirth.teachable.com/p/gbs?affcode=95551_ex_lsgn0. It is amazing!

[@GabrielaMunoz-lh5nc]

Alice Turner mm

[@heather8107]

What can we do if we're not pregnant but have strep b?

[@birthtoolbox]

It really depends if you are experiencing any problems from the Group B Strep. Group B Strep can live in your body and present no problems and if that is the case there is nothing to do.

[@courtneyusmcwife5665]

2nd pregnancy and I just tested positive. I have scheduled csections so not much changes for me as far as antibiotics durning it. Do they do anything different after the csection? Do they test baby?

[@birthtoolbox]

Great question Courtney! As long as you get antibiotics prior to birth (usually 2 doses that are 4 hours apart) they don't perform any tests on the baby or do anything different after the birth.

[@courtneyusmcwife5665]

@@birthtoolbox great! That helps me calm down. Thanks!!:)

[@birthtoolbox]

You are so welcome!

[@maricruz5951]

Can i refuse an Gbs exam?

[@birthtoolbox]

Yes, but you will likely get a lot of push back from your care provider.

[@maricruz5951]

@@birthtoolbox hhh i will be a freaking head stoned person,btw i saw videos that i can do it at home ,is that right?

[@birthtoolbox]

@@maricruz5951 ha! Some provider give the option of swabbing yourself. Definitely ask your options. 👍

[@maricruz5951]

@@birthtoolbox thank u soo much for ur advices ; i really apreciate this ,and for last time can i ask u about smthing?

[@gabycosta3773]

what does GBS to a body? To the mother and the child`?

[@birthtoolbox]

GBS doesn't have any effect on mom, but can cause baby to become very sick. It is rare, but GBS infection can lead to meningitis, pneumonia, or sepsis.

[@HeathersCultureCrossings]

Are you crying?

[@birthtoolbox]

Nope!