Mum Kim writes,
“I want to share my story of group B Strep and the birth of my daughter Connie.
This was my second pregnancy and very different from my first, which was much easier and smooth-sailing. While most of the many pregnancy symptoms were common, I noticed that I was having some unusual discharge. I mentioned this to the midwives at my prenatal appointments and was reassured that this was completely normal.
Fast forward to a few days before my due date and I was meeting with an obstetrician; she was booking me in for an induction as my baby’s weight had been fluxing at each scan appointment and the baby was now measuring small. I mentioned the continuing unusual discharge to the obstetrician and she quickly arranged for a test to check if I had an infection.
As I was waiting in the hospital ward to be taken in for my induction, the midwives reported that I had group B Strep and that they had prepared antibiotics for me to have during labour.
I had never heard of group B Strep before this point and am forever thankful that the obstetrician booked that swab, otherwise no one would have known!
Thankfully my daughter did not contract group B Strep infection and we went home the next day. Since then, I have researched group B Strep and discovered just how serious this infection can be and how the outcome for my daughter could have been drastically different.
Since then, I have completed the 100k in March GBSS challenge and raised £200 for the charity Group B Strep Support. I also mention group B Strep to all of my pregnant friends (they must be sick of it by now!) and tell them to ask for a test from the midwives, as the only way to know if you carry group B Strep is to test.
I have also been raising awareness and have joined the campaign for a standardised GBS test to be made available for all women. One uncomfortable swab could make all the difference to a baby’s life.”
