UC, Pregnancy and Group B Strep

I'm 36 weeks pregnant, and a urine test in early pregnancy showed that I was colonized with Group B Strep.  The normal protocol is for me to receive Ampicillin via IV during labor.  I'm hesitant about receiving antibiotics because they cause me GI issues, and I'm worried that the combo of that and the hormonal changes post-partum will send me into a flare.  On the other hand, I obviously don't want to risk my newborn suffering a very dangerous strep infection, though the risk is small (I think 1 in 3000).

Anyone been in a similar situation?  Any advice?

Have you called your GI?

Is your OB a high risk ob? it may be worth a second opinion if there is time.

good luck and congrats!

hi 31fan,
i encourage you to read this brief article.

http://www.mothering.com/sections/experts/odent-archive1.html#strep

as you look at the top of the page, there are several clickable links that will take you to the right spot on the long page. near the bottom of the list is group b strep.

if you are into trying natural things at all, there is something you could try. the main thing i noticed is that the bacteria can come and go and that you should be retested as close to your delivery as possible.

if you are able to contact a midwife in your area, you may be able to ask about this. i have a friend who also tested positive with both pregnancies and didn't do antibiotics. the midwife assured her that if there was anything passed onto baby then they would treat the baby at that time. both babies were fine in her case.

avoid the antibiotics if you can but obviously don't take unnecessary risks. just make an informed decision and make sure you're not still worrying about it during labor.

hope your birth goes well! :)

Group B strep, if the baby becomes infected, can cause anything from a mild skin rash to severe brain damage to death. The chances are small, but the stakes are very high. I've worked with babies who were very severely damaged by neonatal strep. Yes, it can be treated, but considering that baby's immune system isn't yet developed to help fight it off, success is not always assured.

Asking for a re-test during your third trimester is a good idea. Then talk to your OB to see if there are any alternative antibiotics, as Amoxicillin tends to be one of the more difficult ones for us. Also advise your doctor that you will need to be on high doses of probiotics to combat the potential for C. diff overgrowth in your colon from the antibiotics, and he will need to arrange for you to be able to bring this medication from home, keep it in the refrigerator at the hospital and take it. (Or it may just be more simple to have a visitor bring it in to you each day.)

I agree that a flare is annoying and painful, but it does end. Having a baby with problems is forever.

Either way, it's your decision to make and I wish you and your baby only the best.

I also tested positive for this during my second pregnancy and had the IV antibiotics during labor.  I didnt flare right away, but about 8 weeks postpardum went into a terrible flare.  It probably wasnt from the antibiotics though since it was so much later.

I also had antibiotics during my first labor for another reason (Dr thought my water had broken days earlier) and never had a flare after that labor and it was long so I was exposed to antibiotics for a long time that first time around.

So I think its best to go with what your Ob reccommends, but I would defintely discuss your concerns with him/her and find out if there are choices are far as which antibiotics can be used and discuss with your GI was well.  And ask to have your probiotics cleared ahead of time as allowable meds in the hospital (if you sneak them in they are supposed to confiscate them).

Good luck, I wish you a speedy and healthy labor and delivery.

one PP noted check for alternative antibiotics. Talk with your GI and OB, there's some that don't seem to cause flares as much as others. I know I refuse amoxicillin (not sure if it's in the same family with ampicillin)because of flare and yeast infections (together it feels deadly LOL) but I can safely take xithromax.

That's just me.

I didn't flare at all after giving birth either (no antibiotics). . . in fact I ended up constipated unless I drank almost 1/2 a gallon of apple juice a day. That was a dilemma I'd never experienced. . .I'm not sure which was worse LOL

Thanks, everyone.  I will see about a retest this week and ask about alternative antibiotics, as well as about bringing probiotics.  It is interesting to know about Amox being one of the worst offenders.  I've had problems so far with Omnicef and Augmentin (which I know has Amox in it).  I'll ask about the Vancomycin as well as Azithromycin et al.