|
|
 |
|
Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep
Can an infection you don't even know you have be harmful to your baby? This scary prospect is a real one for almost one in every 1,000 U.S. newborns infected with Group B streptococcus (GBS). Although GBS is mainly a problem for newborns, it's also a common cause of postpartum uterine infections in women, resulting in fever, abdominal pain, and rapid pulse.
Between 10 and 30 percent of pregnant women have GBS in their vaginal or rectal area; each carries a one in 100 chance that her baby will become infected. Most people who harbor GBS aren't aware of it, because it rarely causes any symptoms. The bacterium lives in the gastrointestinal tract, along with numerous other bacteria that are harmless to most people. However, if GBS is absorbed by baby as he passes through the birth canal -- for example, by ingesting vaginal fluids during delivery -- it could make him very sick.
What do you think of this story? Tell Us.
|
Related Links
|
Comments
Please confirm your comment by answering the question below and clicking "Submit Comment."
I had a midwife for the birth of our first daughter. She recommended using a surgical soap or antibiotics to fight the GBS. I am not a fan of antibiotics so I opted for the soap which I had to douche with every 6 hours of labor. She informed me that douching with the soap is how many over seas fight GBS (since midwives are used more over seas).
3/9/2011 03:22:00 PM Report AbuseComplications from GBS are very rare. I tested positive for GBS. We declined the antibiotics. Blood test was done on our baby and she did not contract GBS. Many babies, although born to GBS positive moms, do not contract Strep B at all. Check out natural remedies as they seem to be more effective than antibiotics. My advice- be knowledgable and tuned into your baby but don't stress too much over it.
3/3/2011 09:23:47 AM Report AbuseSorry for your loss fuzzie. This is really a major concern for me. I have been recently diagnosed with GBS. I have 3 kids and never even heard of this until now. I am very concerned and it can be very harmful on a newborn. If you have GBS be sure to get to the hospital in enough time to get antibiotics administered.. God Bless you all.
1/31/2011 02:37:11 PM Report AbuseSorry for your loss fuzzie41587
5/12/2010 02:02:13 PM Report Abusei had this infection when i was pregnant with my first son and the docters told us it caused resolving bacterial mennigittis and he passed away at three months old
12/18/2009 05:45:22 PM Report Abuse