Group B strep can affect up to 25% of women in the United States.It is not a sexually transmitted disease, it's not transmitted through food or water, and most women don't even know they carry it.Most healthcare professionals will not treat you until you go into labor if you are experiencing symptoms of the infection during your pregnancy.If your test is positive for Group B strep, you should get an IV antibiotic during labor to protect your baby.
Step 1: Pregnancies can be maintained with regular visits.
If you want to increase your chances of having a healthy baby, you need to seek care early and often.During the third and fourth trimesters, your doctor will screen you for Strep B and you will need to see him about once every two to four weeks.If you haven't had a checkup yet, you should.PreNatal care should start during your first trimester, but it's never too late to have it.Reschedule it if you have to miss it.
Step 2: You should be tested for B strep in your third trimester.
It's normal for pregnant women to be tested for B strep.You will be tested during the 37th week of your baby's life.Extra precautions will not be necessary if you test negative.If you test positive for B strep, you will receive IV antibiotics during labor.The test is easy to take.The doctor will need to take a saliva sample from your vagina and rectum.The results from the lab will be available within 48 hours.It is best to have the culture done under clinical supervision in order to make sure they are accurate.If you're concerned about B strep, you can get it tested before the 35th week of pregnancy.It's not normal to have these tests before the third trimester.
Step 3: You may be high-risk if you have symptoms.
Some women are at high risk of having a baby with B strep because they have already had one, but there are other symptoms that may indicate you are also at risk.There are symptoms to watch for during labor.Going into labor early orrupturing the membranes before 37 weeks.There is a labor that lasts longer than 18 hours.Prior to labor, there was a urinary tract infection.
Step 4: There is no way to prevent group B strep in adults.
Group B strep can't be prevented in adults, so there are things you can do to reduce your baby's chance of getting it.There is no vaccine or special precautions that you can take, so you probably won't need to worry about it.
Step 5: It's important to receive antibiotics.
Do not assume that B strep will not harm your baby because it is harmless in your body.Group B strep can cause infections in babies and can be fatal in infants.A baby that contracts group B strep may suffer from a number of health problems.Not all mothers with group B strep will pass it on, but antibiotics help to reduce the chance of it.Make sure that your doctor knows that you are positive for group B strep during your pregnancies so that he can watch out for any signs of the disease in the baby.
Step 6: Don't use oral antibiotics prior to labor.
A previous course of antibiotics will not protect your baby during labor.Even if you have been treated with antibiotics or herbal remedies, you can still carry B strep.If you tested positive for B strep before or during your baby's birth, it is possible that the infection may have returned prior to delivery.If you are positive for group B strep just before delivery, you need to receive antibiotics.
Step 7: Ask your doctor about your options.
Depending on the type of delivery you have, your options to avoid passing B strep to your baby may vary.If you have a planned surgical delivery due to particular health needs, you may not need IV antibiotics for yourself or your baby unless you naturally go into labor before the operation begins; however, some doctors will still giveIV antibiotics even if you are having a caesarean section.If you intend to deliver vaginally, you may be given antibiotics as soon as labor begins to prevent your baby from getting sick from coming into contact with the vaginal fluids.If you are allergic to penicillin or another antibiotic, your medical team should know so that they can offer an alternative antibiotic in the IV fluid or treatment they provide.Cefazolin can be used if it is a non- serious penicillin allergy.Clindamycin is used if the allergy is more serious.
Step 8: Antibiotics should be used during labor.
If you test positive for B strep, you will need to have antibiotics during labor.It will reduce the chance of your child getting a B strep infection from 200 to 4,000.If you do not know the results of your B strep test or if you were unable to get tested prior to delivery, most healthcare professionals will treat you with antibiotics during labor to be safe.