Group B Strep (GBS)...anyone here? Cerclage placed?

shandris · 10-21-2005, 10:09 AM

**this post is duplicated on the pregnancy board. You may find helpful responses there also**

I have been doing a lot of reading about GBS. I am so frustrated that the medical community says to only test for this infection around 35 - 37 weeks. I think my cervix was not completely closed and the strep made it from my vaginal area to my uterus. Once there it became an infection attacking the placenta. I am thinking that next pregnancy (Lord willing) I will have a cerclage placed between weeks 10 and 12. My doc also wants to do testing for GBS once a month. But he explained to me that it takes approx. 6 weeks for the strep to go from a colony to an infection. My concern is that if I get tested once a month, who is to say that the week I get tested isn't week 4 or 5 into the 6 week infection period? So I want to get tested like every 2 weeks. I also told him that if I didn't get the cerclage (which will not hurt anything, so why not have it placed?) and the regular 2 week testing and I lose another child due to GBS I would sue the hell out of the hospital. He agreed (while smiling) and said that my wants were justified and he understood. Anyway, do any of you have any information or would like to share anything about GBS? I am interested in seeing how many cysters this has affected and what happened differently later.

Thanks!

SheriKCMO · 10-21-2005, 11:43 AM

I'm pretty sure my daughter wasn't effected by my GBS, though I'm sure I've always carried it. I don't think I was open until the day before I delivered or maybe just a short few days... not enough to kill a 23+ weeker, perhaps, but definitely would have been lethal (even within hours) to a smaller baby. There are several cysters here whose infections were the eventual killer.

And during my cerclage pregnancy, I was cultured before the cerclage and only on antibiotics during the cerclage and during labor. Fortunately everything happened according to plan with that pg.

Best Wishes for success with the next time. There is hope! (((Hugs)))

saluki_fan · 10-21-2005, 12:25 PM

I wasn't really aware of this issue...thank you both for sharing the info. I'm going to read up on it.

VivC · 10-21-2005, 01:56 PM

I replied to your other post. ((Hugs)).

Viv

shandris · 10-21-2005, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivcrayton

I replied to your other post. ((Hugs)).

Viv

Thanks Viv, I read it a few minutes ago. I am surprised at the number of responses I have gotten so far...didn't really expect so many. Thanks for the reply.

For those who would like to read Viv's reply....here it is

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivcrayton

Hmm...Adrianne. You might have something there.

Shandris, it sounds like you have a good plan for next time. After my rescue cerclage (MUCH riskier than a preventative one), I developed an infection. They never did figure out what it was, and that's what actually killed Rivi (he was viable, but once it got into his bloodstream, it was over). I was full of antibiotics, as was Rivi, so they weren't able to determine the infection. Just in case, my doc will keep a close eye out for GBS this time.

Viv

Reebekah · 10-21-2005, 08:59 PM

During the loss of my twins, I was tested for GBS but it was negative. However, I too was full of antibiotics from a rescue cerclage (which failed), so I dont know if the GBS would have showed up.

During my current pregnancy, I was tested for GBS very early BECAUSE I was getting a preventative cerclage. My doc explained that USUALLY GBS isnt tested until the 3rd trimester, but that he tested me early because he likes to treat it before placing cerclages (because you risk infection with cerclages). I tested positive, so he treated me with antibiotics for a week before placing the cerclage, and gave me IV antibiotics during the cerclage. He also tested me to see if it was gone and it was. He said that he will test me one more time in the 3rd trimester and then give me IV antibiotics during labor.
Hope this helps

saluki_fan · 10-22-2005, 01:11 PM

Becky - sounds like your doc was on top of the game with this current one...thank goodness. Thanks for sharing your story.

shandris · 10-24-2005, 04:56 PM

Becky,

how many weeks into your current pregnancy did the doc place your cerclage?

VivC · 10-25-2005, 02:03 PM

Shandris, you didn't ask me, but I'll be 13 weeks 6 days when my cerclage is placed.

My doc will check me for GBS two days before the cerclage is placed. If it comes back positive, he'll use more intensive antibiotics.

Viv

shandris · 10-25-2005, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivcrayton

Shandris, you didn't ask me, but I'll be 13 weeks 6 days when my cerclage is placed.

My doc will check me for GBS two days before the cerclage is placed. If it comes back positive, he'll use more intensive antibiotics.

Viv

Viv, please keep me posted on how things go for you and baby. I really man that...I feel like your experience mirrors mine...I would love to know how things progress for you and baby. How far are you now?

VivC · 10-25-2005, 03:46 PM

Shandris, I'll be 12 weeks tomorrow, but I'm measuring about a week ahead. I did last time, too. My babies are just big, apparently (Rivi weighed almost twice what he should have when he was born)! I'm waiting to hear from the doc's office with the date of my cerclage. At my appointment yesterday, they were shooting for 11/8, but it depends on OR availability.

Viv