Positive to strep B

[MrsTwith3]

Hi all,
Ive just had an appointment today with the midwives at the Birthing Centre that I will be attending. Even though its my 3rd bub Im still full of questions. Today I asked about the strep B swab and about what happens with the results.
Im not to sure if many other hospitals/birthing centres have adopted this practice but it sounds pretty good to me. It was explained to me that if you test positive to strep B you have 2 choices. The first Im not happy with as it would mean having to deliver at the big hospital up the road and involve having an antibiotic iv during labour. The second is sounding great. It involves having a chlorhexadine douche once you go into labour.
Has anyone else had the douche or even heard of it? The midwives say that it is a much better option allowing freedom to move around and do your own thing and not be tied to an iv stand plus it works getting rid of any strep B in the vagina.

Mel

[Tam-I-Am]

Sorry, I haven't heard of the douche, but the hospital that I had DD at offered the anti's only - but the way they explained it, they put a canular in the back of your hand and put one dose of anti's in, then left you alone - no IV stand at all.

But I didn't have Strep B, so didn't have to do this, so I may have misunderstood. Good luck!

[reAllytee]

Yeah ive only heard of the doses too Tami maybe we misunderstood ? :confused: :o

I think its great there are the options as it means you can chose how active you wish to be in labour :thumbsup:

[jkate]

Sorry, I haven't heard of the douche, but the hospital that I had DD at offered the anti's only - but the way they explained it, they put a canular in the back of your hand and put one dose of anti's in, then left you alone - no IV stand at all.

But I didn't have Strep B, so didn't have to do this, so I may have misunderstood. Good luck!

I had Strep B with both boys, and this is exaclty what they did, I even gave birth to Travis in a Birthing Centre - one midwife in what was more like a hotel room then a delivery suite.

I havent heard of the douche either.

If you have any questions feel free to pm me.

[Pixie]

I haven't heard of the douche but the anitbitoics are horrendous I was so, so sick from them, I would get the douche if they offerered it next time!

[jkate]

I haven't heard of the douche but the anitbitoics are horrendous I was so, so sick from them, I would get the douche if they offerered it next time!


Can I ask MP if any other antiobotics make you sick? That would have been terrible, as insnt labour stressfull enough. Did they make any suggestions for next time??

[Pixie]

I had an allergic reaction to penicilln as a kid, but not since. They told me they make you sick as they are so strong the ones in labour, they didn't say anything about an alternative..But should I test + next time I will ask about one!

[munchkin05]

i had the antibiotics

wasnt hooked up to iv i think i just had to have a dose every 2-4 hrs
i was still walking around freely

never heard of any other options

[Bessie]

Hiya
I was told last visit I had Strep B, which was a bit confusing as I got home and thought "when did they give me a swab, perhaps they have mixed my notes up?" as they were really busy and I couldn't think how they'd know that from blood and urine tests. I'm going to ask next visit as it all seems a bit strange.

Anyway, I found this http://midwiferyeducation.tripod.com/id7.html
which says basically in Europe they've been having success with the douche and also there is good reason to reduce cervical exams and membrane rupture etc, as this increases the risk of the bub being exposed to strep B. The cervical plug also has some antimicrobial properties so it's best not to muck about up there - yeah, less examinations, can't be bad!

I'm going to ask about the douche (if I have strep B after all) as I always get really bad thrush (everywhere!) with antibiotics and don't fancy that after labour. I wonder if bub will be likely to also get oral thrush, which would interfere with feeding.

[Veritas]

I was told of the douche at antenatal classes, which if I'm right are within the same health care system your using.....

Basically the administer it every couple of hours, not sure whether it rules out the use of bath, etc though.....

However if you were on a drip, can't see why they can't hook you up to a mobile unit....

[Bessie]

Well, after all that stress... I was looking through my notes last night and discovered I had someone else's test results for strep B! I have just rang the hospy and given them her name and record number.... I feel relieved I don't now need the antibiotic drip or whatever but a bit sad for this other lady.
Just goes to show that doctors can bodge up and we need to check things out!