Question 1

what can i expect if i have group b strep?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics in labor: When a woman has group b strep we start antibiotics when she goes into labor.  These antibiotics pass through the placenta and protect the baby during delivery.  You can also expect more careful assessments of baby after delivery and possibly needing to stay at least 24 hours.  If you don't get at least two doses of antibiotics before delivery, you may need to stay for further monitoring.

Question 2

what to do if i think i have group b strep?

Accepted Answer

Why ?: For most women, GBS is an innocent germ that can be found in the poo or the female genital structures of about a third at any time.It becomes an issue with pregnancy where it may pass to the newborn and cause significant disease.It occasionally causes UTI's in women.

Question 3

what is group b strep like?

Accepted Answer

Variable: It is a germ normally found in the intestines causing no problems & can be there on & off.It can contaminate the female genital tract & cause a uti. It can get into a leaking bag of waters around a baby & cause infection & death. Babies that pick it up on the way out may have no problems or develop blood poisoning or meningitis. Quick treatment can salvage many but not all infants.

Question 4

is group b strep contagious?

Accepted Answer

Depends on situation: Its most worrisome problem occurs when it passes from the genital tract of a mother to her newborn during labor or delivery.The resulting exposure may result in a severe infection in the infant. The germ is found normally in the stool, and as such came from ingestion. It is common & seldom causes problems outside that with the newborn. The infected newborn is unlikely to pass it to others.

Question 5

why is group b strep so bad for babies?

Accepted Answer

It can kill: Group b strep is a bacterial infection that, if a newborn contracts, can kill if not treated quickly and adequately.  Certain things put a newborn at greater risk for gbs infection; these include prematurity, prolonged rupture of mom's membranes (>18 hrs), mom colonized with gbs, previous history of baby with gbs disease, maternal fever/chorioamnionitis.  It can be devastating.  Avoid it.

Question 6

how is gbs (group b strep.) contracted?

Accepted Answer

Common hitch hiker: Group b strep is a common germ in nature & found at any one moment in the genital tract of ~1/3 of women.In most cases it is  innocuous, causing no harm, although it sometimes can cause a uti. It can be there one week & gone the next however, if passed to a newborn during labor or delivery, a fraction will get very sick.I would consider any mom @ risk & rely on the ob's to monitor the situation.

Question 7

how can i protect my unborn baby from group b strep?

Accepted Answer

OB/peds have protocl: The frequency of invasive group b strep disease has declined since the adoption of surveillance and treatment protocols by ob's & peds. Since gbs can come & go, most moms will be screened at 35-37 wks & receive abx during labor if positive, if status unknown she will be treated. Babies are monitored, tested& treated   if any signs appear that suggest invasive disease. Discuss your concerns with ob.

Question 8

what are the causes of group b strep disease in babies?

Accepted Answer

Group b infection: Newborn can get group b strep infection either during passage through birth canal or after birth coming in contact with an adult carrier of this bacteria
the infection quickly spreads into the blood stream and can make the newborn really sick and has to be treated with IV antibiotics.

Question 9

what are some natural ways to treat gbs (group b strep)?

Accepted Answer

No natural way: Usually present in gut and in genital tract of 20-40% - but bad in pregnant women as it is a devastating infection in newborn, so needs treatment with antibiotics (preferably penicillin).

Question 10

i lost my plug. i have group b strep. will this affect my baby?

Accepted Answer

Not specifically: As long as the fetal membranes are intact (your water isn't broke) tha baby is shielded against germ invasion. Once your water breaks, head up to the hospital so they can start meds that can stop GBS from being a problem.They are given IV.

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What is group b strep like?

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Why is group b strep so bad for babies?

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How is gbs (group b strep.) contracted?

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How can i protect my unborn baby from group b strep?

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What are the causes of group b strep disease in babies?

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I lost my plug. i have group b strep. will this affect my baby?

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