Wanting More Info on GBS Positive (Strep B) While Pregnant

I also tested positive mith my daughter and they gave me an IV of antibotics while I was in the hospital. Everything was fine and my daughter was born 100% healthy! I wouldnt worry about it. Good Luck!

I tested positive with my last baby. Everything went absolutely fine. It's great that they take the precautions to give you the antibiotics because it's preventative. Don't stress out about it.

Hi,
I went through the same thing with both of my pregnancies. I got the antibiotics at delivery and everything was fine. No need to worry.

Hi A.,

I am RN and first time monther of a beautiful 4 month old girl. I worked as a pre-op nurse before going on maternity leave and prepared all of the women coming in for scheduled C-Sections. I noticed you that in your head line you wrote GBS positive (hep B). Just to clarify GBS + stands for group beta strep and has nothing to do with Hepatitis B. GBS is common bacteria found in the vagina. While GBS is harmless in your vagina it could cause an infection in your newborn. But like you said with antibiotics the risk of any infection is very low. In my expereince as an RN half of the women that came in were GBS + and they all were given antibiotics and I never heard of any problems with their newborns. I am sure your doctor was vague about it because of the fact that it is very common and routine to have GBS and get treated for it prior to labor. Although, I did not test positive for it I thought I would share my expereince with all of the women I came encounter with that were GBS+.
Good luck to you!
G.

I'm an RN and know that this bacteria is very common and is easily treatable. I took care of kids that were exposed before testing was done before birth, so medicine has come a long way!

The antibiotics are not only for the baby's benefit but for mom as well sometimes. My only case that had serious consequences was a baby that was born fine, but the mother had the complications due to the strep and a difficult delivery that caused the strep to enter her bloodstream. If they had tested ahead of time (wasn't available back then) and given antibiotics, it likely wouldn't have even been an issue.

So don't be worried--your doctor is aware and you'll get the antibiotics and any concerns will be avoided, that's a great thing and should ease your mind!!!

What your doctor said is exactly right. If you get antibiotics before delivery, you and your baby will be just fine. Good luck on the delivery! :)

A.,
You are doing the right thing by trying to educate yourself. There is lots of good information out there, so keep reading. Have you read "Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn" by Simkin, Whalley, & Keppler or anything by Henci Goer? The more information you arm yourself with, the less fear you will have. GBS can indeed be very serious, but the chances of your baby contracting it (with or without antibiotics) are statistically very, very small. I am a doula in the San Luis Obispo area and would be happy to talk with you more if you would like. Feel free to contact me.
Warmly,
C. H.

My twins were born at 28 weeks, I had not even been tested yet. I too was freaking out about it. My sister tested positive with her second baby. She too freaked out. I had to reassure her that it is so commong and really no big deal. Most women I know test positive. No one I know has had an issue. As it turns out my sister dialated to 4 cm before she went into labor. The night her contractions started she got to the hospital as quick as she could, when she arrived she was 8 cm. By the time she was settled and ready for her antibiotics, she was 10 cm and pushed a handful of times and he was born. No antibiotics! He is 8 weeks old and the picture of health! So even tho you will read a lot of scary stuff out there on the web, it really is pretty rare especially if you get antibiotics. Just get to the hospital in time! LOL.

Hi, I'm R., 36 yrs old, SAHM and a mother to a 21 month old daughter.

When I was pregnant, I didn't know we all get tested for Strep B (which I knew nothing of or the test) and tested positive as well. My doctor told me I would have to take antibiotics as early as possible once my water broke so she (the baby) won't get the virus (or contaminated).
My doctor was vague as well and assured me that it is common for ladies to have it, but the important thing is to let him know as soon as possible that when your water breaks, you have to go to the hospital, get admitted and get an i.v. and not wait around (you just never know if you are going to have a fast labor or slow one - mine was 17 hours after the water broke). I also was worried because I lost a 2nd term baby and was very , super cautious and would research on the internet and sometimes would only find 'worse case scenarios' on the internet. She is a healthy, vibrant girl who amazes me everyday.

The one thing that might be a hindrance is that once you are hooked up with the antibiotics, it is a little hard to get up from bed and try to 'help' your labor to get along because of the i.v., tubes, and stuff - but it is still possible if you need to get up.

My friend just had a healthy boy last week and also had Strep B and also had to get antibiotics. She had a scheduled inducement due to her health and and was in labor for over 29 hours.

Just get admitted and not try to stay home and wait it out before you go to the hospital because it can be a fast labor and getting the i.v. and the antibiotics need to get into your system to get the benefits to help your baby.

Good luck and congratulations on your baby!

Hi A.!! Congratulations!!
I tested positive for Strep B also when I was pregnant. My doctor was pretty vague too. Why do they do that to us?! =)
Anyway, I was given the antibiotics during labor and my baby was/is fine.
The only thing was, when the nurse put the antibiotics into my IV, she warned me that I may feel a slight sting or mild pain. Boy did I feel it! My arm really hurt. The pain went away within a half hour or so and maybe I'm crazy, but that annoying pain in my arm bothered me more than my contractions did.
Hopefully you won't feel the sting like I did, but it's worth it. Your baby will be just fine.

I was also tested positive for this. They gave me antibiotics before I delivered and had me stay in the hospital overnight so they could monitor my daughter, but there wasn't a problem. Just make sure you get to the hospital as soon as you think you're in labor, because they give two doses of antibiotics 4 hours apart before you give birth.

Hi A.,

Just to give you moral support during this precious time... I have two children and I had Strep B during both pregnancies. My first labor was 28 hours so I had the antibiotics early on and had no problems with my daughter. She is healthy as can be. With my second child, my labor lasted only 6 hours and gave birth one week earlier than my due date. I went in as soon as I felt my labor came on. I was quickly given antibiotics and no problems at all with my son. Please don't worry. Your doctor knows about it. Have your husband be in charge or whoever takes you in when labor starts, to get you going on antibiotics. Take care. You should be fine.

Hi A.,
I too was GBS +, I know, a little scary if vaginal birth. They kept telling me to go into the hosp, when 5 min apart and regular, I did...after 12 hours of labor, still in early labor, sent me home. Then 13 more hours of laboring at home, we went back in, I was 8 cm dialated! They began giving me the IV atibiotics, but my DD was born in one hour, we missed the 2nd dose of IV antibiotics...so she had to undergo a septic work up, this involved taking blood from her arm, poor little thing. She was totally fine then and now, she is 7 mos old. My only advice, is don't wait so long to get there, even if they send you home once. If I hadn't missed that 2nd dose, she would have been spared a poke. Good luck to you! Don't worry too much. ~~L.

I tested positive and was very worried...my Dr assured me it was quite common and not to worry...I had a normal vaginal delivery with the antibiotics and everything was fine! The only thing that could have been an issue is that once you are on the antibiotics since you have an IV there is not really any getting up and moving around. Only a problem if you are planning to have a natural child birth.... I had NO intention of doing that so there was no problem there! My delivery went fine and I have a healthy 3 year old daughter!
Best wishes for a smooth delivery and a healthy baby!

It's really not that big of a deal unless it's not dealt with. All women are tested around the time you were. You'll just get antibiotics when you get to the hospital so you're baby will hopefully be just fine! My sister had the same thing with her first pregnancy...it's pretty common.

Congrats on your baby!

-M

Hi A.,

I, like you, also tested positive. It was my 3rd pregnancy and the first time I'd ever heard about GBS. My doctor did not seem very concerned either, so I went online and read up on it also. It was very scary to me and I fretted about it past my delivery and until she was 6 months old.

I started mild labor at about 5:00AM. We went to the hospital at about 10:00. I was told I was only dilated to 1.5, so after about 1 hour they sent me back home telling me to return when my contractions were closer together and stronger. I returned about 12 hours later and was told I was dilated to 4. They administered the first dose of antibiotics right away, but the baby arrived less than 2 hours later so she didn't have the second dose. This was the reason I was worried.

Yes, I knew the odds were very slight, but still any possibility worried me. For the first two weeks I held my breath and watched her closely for any signs of Early Onset problems. After that I kept hoping and praying for her health because the Late Onset problems had worse effects. Mainly I was scared of Meningitis. She is now 9 months old and in perfect health. I'm happy and relieved that she was spared any health complications.

If I had had that second dose, I would have been able to be more relaxed about it, but I just felt I couldn't relax until I knew she was out of danger.

I'm sorry if I'm scaring you, but I do feel it is important for moms who didn't get that second dose to be watchful until their baby is out of the danger zone. Hopefully your labor will be smooth and you'll have both doses, but if not, please be watchful.

Again, best of luck to you and your new baby.
-I.

I also tested positive and my doctor gave me antibiotics to take before I gave birth. Everything was okay.

Hi A.. You are right to be concerned about Strep. I didn't know anything about it when I delivered my second son almost 9 years ago. They told me that I would have to be administered two bags of antibiotics between the time I went into labor and the time of delivery. Being the second child, he was in a great rush to see the world and I was only administered one bag. They kept us in the hospital an extra day for observation but all went well. Perfectly healthy little boy. Just to rest your mind, if possible, this is a pretty common occurence. The doctors are very careful when a baby is exposed to Strep during delivery. When you are researching on the web, all the complications that could possibly arise stick out in your mind. I am currently beginning a nursing program so I recently took microbiology. There was a lot of information regarding Strep effects on a baby. They screen so early for these things now that I'm glad that you know about it, and they are prepared to handle the situation. When you deliver your baby, he or she will have the immunity that you have supplied. Unfortunately, we are also the first ones to expose our babies to all those bacteria that scare us. I remember wondering how on earth I came into contact with streptococcus bacteria. I had no idea that it lives on the skin of most people with no ill effects unless you are immunocompromised. You must trust your ob/gyn or you wouldn't be going there. They know what they are doing. It's great that you want to know as much as possible about anything that could possibly cause harm to your new little miracle. But don't let this scare ruin a memorable pregnancy. Your doctor was probably vague because it is so common and they didn't want you to focus on only that. I wish you an uneventful delivery and a beautiful and healthy baby to add to your family. Good luck.

Hi
I had it with both of my kids. Dont worry about all the scary stuff on the net. Just get to the hospital early and ask them for the antibiotics as soon as you get there. It is something that you carry that doesnt effect you. Both of my kids are totally fine.
Good luck

Hi A.,
Congrats on your pregnancy! I was GBS positive with my first baby, I was given antibiotics during labor and delivery and my son was just fine. The only thing was the antibiotics gave me thrush in my mouth and they gave me medicine for that and it went away. Baby was healthy happy and is now almost 5. When I was pregnant with my second son, they tested me and it was negative, the antibiotics with the first baby had gotten rid of it. GBS can be serious if you aren't given antibiotics and you deliver vaginally, it can be passed on to baby during delivery and baby can get pretty sick, however, from what I understand it's very rare. Good luck to you and your baby!
J.

A.:

I read your request and I know just how you feel. I have three sons and I found out that I had the Strep B with my first. I was terrified. They told me that my son could die from high fever or even have brain damage. They told me that he is exposed whether C-section or vaginal birth, after the water broke. I felt lucky when they had to induce me all three times so that I would be there when my "bag" broke. My first one was the only one that had a slight reaction to it. We were both in great health which was a big plus on our side. After birth, we both ran a fever, but it was something they were able to control since I had the IV antibiotics.

With my second child, they told me that I tested negative with the Strep B. They told me that it is like a cold sore and flares up occassionally and sometimes doesn't. Just to be on the safe side they recommend you have antibiotics during labor and delivery with all children once diagnosed.

One thing you have going for you is that you know how it feels now being your second, when your water breaks. You MUST insist that they give you the antibiotics right away if that happens. With my second one, I insisted and they kept telling me that my water hadn't broken because there was no visible sign of it. My son's head was in the way for the water to come out, but the contractions had started and I was surely in labor. Once they were convinced, they put the IV. Make sure you insist on them being on top of that.

My second child had NO reaction to it, and neither did my third. I was tested positive with the third pregnancy. They made me stay in the hospital no less that 48 hours to observe and make sure it was safe to go home with the third. All went well and I now have three healthy growing boys.

I know that when they cannot give you any absolute answers, it is the scarriest thing. Especially when it comes to our children.

You are armed with vital information. You know what you need. You know what to look for. And the technology is in place to safeguard and make the risk considerably less. I found out about mine when the doctors knew about it, but were not routinely testing for it. The doctor I saw for a couple of appointments in the begining of the pregnancy with my first was one of the only doctors testing for it. She told me that 1 in 10 women have the Strep B and don't even know it. Just think how many children are born without the safey net of the antibiotics. In this case the information you have can only make things safer.

I think you will both be just fine. Good luck with that, and I will pray that you both get through safely.

D.

my doctor was also vague. i worried and worried and read up on what could happen online and in books. honestly, i pestered my doc until he assured me that as long as my baby got the penicillin (aka the antibiotics) he'd be fine and that my worrying would do worse for the baby than the potential Strep B would. he was right. i have an adorable, healthy 4 month old now! don't let this worry you about your labor like i did. it'll only make you frustrated and upset and then feel silly later. :-) a tip, if it makes you feel better, do what i did. i asked the nurses and the doctor (to which they gave me funny looks but loving answers) "so did you give me the penicillin yet? when do i get it next?" etc... :-) in the end, technology is on your side. just years ago they wouldn't have known about this and you and i would have had different things to worry about! keep trekking on sister! you're almost there! :-)

I also had GBS with my son. When I went in to the hospital to deliver we told them and I got antibiotics. My son is completely healthy and normal. If you get the antibiotics you will be fine. I was terrified after reading all the articles too... My advice is to just stop reading them. They will just make you worry over something that will most likely not happen and that is not healthy for you or your baby. Best of luck to you!

I was strep B positive and had 5 kids without any problem at all. I only recieved the anitbiotics during one labor, because they others came too quickly. We all got to go home right away, and there weren't any complications.

Hello A.,

I have a 2 (almost 3yr) son. I was positive for Strep B as well. I wasn't to concerned as my doc. told me that I would just get an IV. Did some research, but I trusted my doc.

My son is a very healthy, happy, spoiled little boy. I wouldn't worry to much.

Like the others ladies said, just get to the hospital as soon as your water breaks and you'll be just fine.

Best of luck,
M.

Hi A....i tested positive with my 2nd baby. I was told that taking anitbiotics before going into labor really weren't effective. They should be given during active labor. You need 2 doses, 4 hours apart, given through IV. So just a heads up...i would get to the hospital in early labor so that you can get your first dose. You may be able to return home to labor for a few hours until your next dose, that's probably up to your OBGYN. Unfortunately for me, my labor lasted only 3 hours total so i couldn't get my doses in. That meant the baby had to stay in a hospital for 2 days to receive antibiotics which was a huge problem for me since i delivered at a freestanding birthing center and planned to go home with baby that day :o( But if you're delivering in a hospital then it probably won't make much difference. It's nothing to stress about....happy thoughts :o)

I tested positive with 5 out of 8 pregnancies, I got the antibiotics, everything was fine. I'm not a fan of antibiotics in general since it can cause yeast infections, but didn't want to take a chance. Every one of my kids got candida after birth, not just the ones with antibiotics.

hi A.! positive strep b is very common. i was diagnosed when pregnant with my son. my ob gave me antibiotics at the time of diagnosis and during labor. i made sure to take acidophilus the week before my due date as a precaution against another yeast infection. even with the iv and epidural i was still able to deliver just fine, didn't even need an episiotomy. just be sure that if your water breaks at home you get to the hospital pronto to get the antibiotics administered.

Hi A.~ No need to worry. I also have GBS. I tested positive with my first pregnancy so they didn't even bother testing me with my second. When you show the first signs of labor you go to the hospital. They check you and will admit you if you are in labor no matter what you're dilated because they want to start antibiotics right away. As long as you get 2 rounds of antibiotics while you're in labor you're baby will be completely fine. I did this with my first and she was perfectly healthy. My second I was induced and my labor went so quick that there was only time for me to receive 1 round of antibiotics. So my daughter was born with GBS pneumonia. She was monitored in NICU for 3 days and given antibiotics during that time. Because she was responding well I was able to take her home and do the last few days doses of antibiotic via shot at the doctor's office. She is to this day perfectly healthy. Don't let GBS worry you. Your doctor responded to the test result so casually because it really isn't anything to be worried about. Just as long as you get the antibiotics required all will be fine. And if your labor is quick (not likely) they already know to administer more antibiotics to the baby after delivery. :)

Hi A. -
As many have posted and said already, it is great that you know you have this so you can be prepared as you enter the hospital for labor....and making sure they start the antibiotics as soon as they can. I had a bad experience with this. I was never told by my doctor that I had tested positive. I went into labor at home, went to the hospital and during admitting they told me that I had tested positive. Thank goodness that computers exist and that files were shared between my doc and the hospital...otherwise we would never have known. Needless to say, being my third child, I was moving right along quickly and because of the need to give me the two doses of antibiotics (two hours in between) they had to give me an epidural to help slow down the contractions. I made it just past the two hour mark and then delivered by baby. What a stressful experience though. I had a drop in my blood pressure due to the pushed epidural and then had to have something to pump up my blood pressure. Agh! Anyways, it is good that you know your diagnosis before you enter the hospital.

Most moms test positive for the Strep B virus and have to get a shot roughly three hours before delivery. My Doctor told me absolutely common and nothing to worry about. Actually I was only at the hospital an hour before delivery and did not get the injection on time, the result is one extra day for observation of the baby but transference is not common.

I just gave birth to my 2nd daughter on Wed. I was Beta Strep positive with both of my children. They received the antiobotics and all was well. My Dr. said that 10% of all women have the need for these antibotics. The other thing that I found out with my 2nd is that you should have the antibotic in your system for at least 4 hours before you give birth, I missed that time by 4 minutes and the pedatrician mentioned it to me and said to watch for any type of fever from my daughter (that is the easiest way to see that they are having a problem from the Beta Strep). Hope this helps.

Just want to share my experience because it was different -- I hesitate because I do not want to scare you and I am basically on the same page w/all the other moms who have responded.

I had strep B w/ #2, but not the first. I had a super fast labor w/#1, but he was an emergency C section (breech). W/ #2, I decided to have a VBAC. My doctor and I decided to induce labor at 39 weeks so we could be sure I got both doses of the antibiotic (and because labor was likely to be so fast if it occurred naturally). Once I got over not letting everything happen completely naturally, I was fine w/this decision and everything was calm, controlled and very easy.

However, at 21 days, my son was diagnosed w/a RARE bacterial infection in his shoulder bone--
the bacteria was cultured but never grew out to be identified -- this is common. However, because I had strep B and when this infection lodges in the shoulder it is ususally traced to strep B -- I am assuming he contracted it through the birth. THIS HAPPENS TO 1 in 4000 WOMEN -- so you can see the odds of it happening to you are extremely low -- It is so uncommon that my 70 year old OB, former head of Cedars who has delivered 5000+ babies had never seen it. Same w/my 60-something year old pediatrician. The wonderful orthopaedist who treated my son had only had one prior case.

If passed at birth, it takes time for a bacteria to grow so 21 days or so is about the soonest you'd discover it (My sister noticed one arm seemed weaker which is amazing considering how much babies are swaddled in the beginning)

We spent a week in the hospital where he received IV antibiotics 3 times a day and then he took them orally at home for a few more weeks. It was harrowing because it is so rare and all the best medical professionals hadn't dealt w/it much. All though this, he was incredibly healthy and strong, being labeled "the healthiest sick baby we have ever seen"

The bottom line is HE IS COMPLETELY FINE AND HEALHY and it was due to early detection that everything worked out great.

So... get your antibiotics -- even consider scheduling if your labor is thought to go fast -- I understand that w/most women this isn't necessary though. Then just watch your baby as you normally would and ask your pediatrician if anything seems a little hinky -- 1 in 4000 is a miniscule percentage ---3999 babies born to strep-B positive moms who get antibiotics have no issues - and as I said, my son is fine. Good luck, I have every confidence you will have an easy, healthy birth.

I had it both times also .I was concerned also but everything turned out fine .

I too had group B strep with my littel guy, now almost 3, and I just ad to go to the hospital as soon as my water broke to get the antibotics on board. Although it could be dangerous to the baby to go through the birth canal if you don't get the meds, I don't think it is that big of a deal if you have the meds. Your doctor should be willing to discuss this with you if you have concerns though.

Good luck, and happy healthy baby wishes:)

I tested with my third, but not the first two. I had a planned c-section with the last two. You can have one and it would avoid giving it to your baby. Ask your dr.

Hi, A..

I got this from a site: "Group B Strep, also known as Beta Strep or GBS is a bacteria that can live within humans. About 25% of women are carriers of this bacteria and don't even know it." It's different from "Hep B," which I think usually refers to Hepatitis B; as a side note, most hospitals now tend to give the Hep B vaccine when babies are born. The website I glanced at said 25% of women have GBS, but I thought it might be even higher -- it seems like half my friends have had it with no complications. It's very common. Some folks say that eating more healthy bacteria (probiotics, acidophilus, etc.) can reduce your chance of testing positive for GBS. If it were me and I tested positive for GBS, I wouldn't worry too much; with the antibiotics, I think the risks are low. Of course, a doctor or professional could offer formal information. If you google GBS, you can also probably find a lot of good information. Take good care. Best wishes.

Hello. I also was diagnosed with GBS at 36 weeks. I too was extremely panicked and worried. My doctor reassured me though that it was very normal and common and not to worry. Even without the antibiotics it is still rare to pass to baby; with antibiotics virtually impossible. During labor i was given the antibiotics and everything turned out perfectly. My daughter is now seven and perfectly healthy. Make sure when you are in labor though, that you remind the nurses, especially if the dr is not there, that you need the meds. If the dr is not there they may not thoroughly read your chart. (happened to a friend of mine.) Good luck and try not to worry you and your baby will be fine.

I have a 9 month old son and a 12 year old daughter. I was told with my son that I tested negative for it, but had been positive in the past. As a precaution they put me on 2 rounds of antibiotics before I delivered my son. However, my OB also said that a woman can be tested today and be positive and tested later and be negative, like I was. My advice, don't worry. Get on the antibiotics and take note that you are doing what's right for you and baby. Things will be ok!! Things turned out fine here.

Just wanted to share that I was Strep B positive - and went into labor so quickly that I didn't recieve the full dose of the antibiotics during delivery - my son is now a very healthy one-year old and as far as I can tell we experienced no complications as a result of the Strep B reading (my husband was very concerned and every timeanything showed up his first few months he was always asking if it could be a result of my not getting the antibiotics. Nothing ever was.

Hi A.,

I'm a little confused by your post. The title suggests that you either have or were just immunized against HBV. I'm surprised that you would be immunized against HBV during pregancy, since there is a possible connection between GBS and recent HBV immunization. This has not be conclusively proved, however, and pregancy itself may cause GBS, which is a type of autoimmune disease.

If you have GBS, you should be monitored closely by your doctor and a neurologist. In many cases, GBS will correct itself in a matter of weeks, but could take years. Some patients become so severely affected that life support is required. Even in sever cases, however, GBS is not typically passed to the infant.

Now -- about the HBV. Have you recently been exposed to HBV? If so, then it was very important that you received the HBV vaccine to protect both you and your baby from potential infection. It is also very important that your baby be vaccinated as soon after birth as possible. I'm assuming that you are NOT HBsAg and HBeAg positive.

HBV can be a very serious disease, especially in infants. Whereas most infections in adults are acute (short-lived) and do not cause lasting liver damage (they rarely cause damage at al), approximately 90% of children infected before the age of 1 yr will develop chronic infection. Chronic infection can cause liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, failure, and liver cancer by middle age. Babies born to mothers experiencing an acute infection are at very high rist for contracting the disease. Children who are immunized before they have been exposed to the virus have the BEST protectionion against the disease, but the vaccine has been shown to be instrumental in preventing infection in infants exposed to HBV at birth. Vaccination after exposure is less likely to be protective, but can be in exposed newborns. You should find out what your HBV status is ASAP so you and your baby can receive the care that makes the most sense.

Good luck to you, congratulations!

R.

I was Strep positive with two of my boys. My first son was born in 1994 and I was not tested at that time. I assume I must have been positive with him also. I was told once you test positive you are always positive.

I received anitbiotics for my second son but not enough in time before delivery and he got pneumonia. He was in the NICU for 7 days.

My third son was fine. I got to the hospital in time and had the full recommended dosage of antibiotics.

If you get to the hospital quickly and receive the correct dosage of antibiotics for the correct length of time ( I think 4-6 hours) everything should be fine.

Don't worry. Many mom's have this same positive result and their children are fine. Good Luck!!!!

D.

You might be getting this late since it is Monday, 7/21, but I believe I was diagnosed with it as well and given antibiotics. I did have a scheduled C-section because of other issues, but you should be fine. Try not to worry!

Hi, I had the same thing with my son (third of 4 children) and drs. won't admit but it totally messed up my body's flora. AFter going home, I had very bad case of candida while nursing and down below...which eventually led to 2 bouts of mastitis (infection of the milk ducts) and deep breast pain because of bacteria lingering in my body...all the while having to take antibiotic after antibiotic (diflucan, etc.) It was horrible. It may have been other factors but I blame the antibiotic shot they gave me during labor. In talking with La Leche League when I was at wits end, #1: 3 cloves of raw garlic cured me up fast #2: I learned to ALWAYS take a probiotic WHENEVER you or your child or anybody takes an antibiotic...and not just yogurt where the 1st or 2nd ingredient is sugar...the party stuff that candida lives off of.

Therefore, when pregnant with my fourth, I luckily didn't have the Strep B. However, I did my research beforehand in case I had it, and my naturopathic doctor advised me to strengthen your immune system as much as possible (vitamins, perfect diet, water intake, rest) about a week before due date all the way until a week after birth...take the antibiotic along with a probiotic (this is not a drug but rather the good bacteria that your body needs to remain balanced so further illness doesn't occur-it means "pro-life") and help your body from the inside out to heal itself and get back on track as fast as possible.

Sorry so lengthy but if i could spare anyone the nightmare i went through, i'm glad to share. Good luck and contact me if you have anymore questions at ____@____.com.

I know many Strep B positive mothers who have not had time to get the antibiotics prior to delivery and their babies have been just fine. One of them is my sister. They insisted on keeping my nephew in the hospital longer than the usual 24 hours. My sister and her husband checked him and themselves out of the hospital early AMA (against medical advice) because it was obvious that my nephew had no signs of infection. Today he is a healthy and rambunctious 4 year old.