Swab test?

[Wondermum]

Hi, just wondering if anyone can tell me what the external genital and rectum swab test is for now :confused: When I had DS1 this wasn't standard routine. Also how many standard bloods did you have during pregnancy?

[KaM]

i know when i went to the clinic at the hospital i had to do a part internal swab . .the only bloods i had were right at the beginning because my doc knew everything to get .. otherwise you might have to go a few times to get all the immune and iron and all the shtuffs

[~EmsMum~]

I only had the 2 bloods taken, one was around 12 weeks and the other was around 24-25 weeks

[~Emmylou~]

Not sure about the swab test, I never had it with DD. I went into labour with her at 36 weeks so I jumped the gun.

Blood tests - I had a heap done at 6/7 weeks, GD test at 20 and 27 weeks (I have a history), Antibodies test and full blood count at 27 weeks. That's all so far. With DD they also took blood the day I turned 36 weeks, checking for anaemia/iron deficiency.

[the_queen]

They offer a swab test for GBS, Group B Strep. It's a type of bateria that can live in your vagina. In very rare cases, if it crosses to the baby during the birth, it may cause some problems - which can be fixed with anti-biotics. If you test positive for it, they will tell you that you need to have anti-biotics during labour.

But you don't have to be tested for it. And if you do test positive for it, you could do the test again the following week and test negative. And even if you are positive for it when you go into labour, there is only a very small chance that it will cross to the baby. And if it does happen to cross to the baby, there is only a very small chance that it will have a negative effect on the baby.

My advice would be to do some research; if you do have the swab and you do test positive, decide for yourself whether you want to have "just in case" anti-biotics (which some people think do more harm than good) when really the risk of something "bad" happening is extremely low.

:)

[Wondermum]

Did they test for this some other way before? Like a urine test or something? I had no swab test with DS1 while pregnant, and the doc I saw told me it has just been introduced recently. I know I had early bloods/ urine, GTT testing and I think another bloods test later but I can't remember being 3 years ago now.

[mumbub2]

Yeah, it is for Strep. It depends which doc you have....I went public for DD last year and the test was done at around 30 weeks if I remember correctly? Or maybe later? It was standard routine for that hospital, but I know many other places dont do it at all. Basically they take a swab sample internally (both vaginal and rectum) and test it for the bacteria. It is very quick and painless. Apparently some docs let you do the swab yourself in the loo and then just give it to them to send away.

[gidgeroo]

Hi
I tested positive with strep B with my DS1 and had to have an antibiotic IV whilst in labour and as it ended in a c/section all was well and it had no impact.

With DS2 who was born at 28 weeks I didn't get a chance to have the test but this infection/bacteria crossed my cervix and infected my placenta which then caused me to go into premature labour - it can be a very serious thing if it happens too early. I was lucky that I made it to 28 weeks before it caused the labour - any earlier and we may still be in hospital. DS2 was treated with antibiotics for 2 weeks to ensure that this bacteria was not infecting his lungs, brain etc.

Its worth having the test just so you can face it head on if you need to at the critical time.:yes:

cheers
Georgia

[Wondermum]

Just thought I'd post and say I had my bloods and the swab test done today. The midwife actually gave me the swab kit to do myself in the toilet. It's just looks like a long cotton bud, which you swab near the entrance of the vagina and rectum.

[Sarie]

I've had two pregnancies so far and never had a swab test.
On my third now, so I guess anything is possible

[proud_mum2b]

well ive had two blood test so far and the doctor has told me i need to do a swab but not until i think he said 30 weeks and have two more blood
tests and some other test to see if i have developed diabetes .