When Angela was rushed to hospital during her pregnancy with severe chest pains, after further investigations it was confirmed she had tested positive for group B Strep (GBS). She called the GBSS helpline who answered and explained what it was and what should happen when her baby was due to be delivered. Here Angela shares her story.
“I had a sticker on my hospital notes to highlight I had GBS and after getting over the fear and reading up some of the stories on the website, I was frightened of anything happening. Fast forward to 40+1 day. I had chest pains so called hospital and was told to come in. I got to the hospital and told them I had tested positive for GBS, they checked me and said I was only 2cm so they sent me home. Within an hour my waters had broken and I was rushed back into hospital, I told them again I had tested positive for GBS in pregnancy and this time they were more concerned in delivering the baby. I never got antibiotics and my boy was born. I cuddled him and tried to breastfeed him. We were both doing really well, until we were taken to a ward and the worse thing ever happened.
The nurses came to do his stats and rushed him away because of breathing difficulties. He was taken to ICU and put in an incubator with tubes everywhere. I was told to have my breakfast, shower and then make my down to ICU. I was extremely upset to see him covered in tubes, it was heartbreaking to think he was born fine and fell ill so quickly.
After several tests I was told he had sepsis which was caused by GBS, I blamed myself for hurting my baby. I was numb and didn’t know what to do, I went back to the ward and cried so much blaming myself. I called the helpline again for a chat and help, I felt a little better but still stressed that this even happened and they didn’t give me the antibiotics the 1st time I went into the hospital.
After a week of several bad days, antibiotics not working, oxygen, feeding tubes, breathing issues, we were finally allowed to leave the hospital. I was so very very lucky to be able to bring my little boy home.
On Mothers Day we had my son’s christening and we felt it only right to return a favour for all the help you had given us. We decided to do a raffle at the christening party for Group B Strep Support and family and friends raised £175.”
Angela has also taken part in several virtual Facebook challenge events and her 9 year old daughter is doing a 2K Fun Run in Liverpool on 1st May 2022.
