Dulcie was born in April 2025. She appeared healthy at birth, and her family were looking forward to beginning life together. But within just an hour of being born, everything changed.
Dulcie began refusing feeds and quickly showed signs of respiratory distress. Medical staff acted swiftly, and she was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for specialist care. For her family, the sudden deterioration was devastating, as mum Andie explains;
“Seeing our tiny newborn surrounded by machines, tubes and monitors was the most terrifying experience of our lives. We felt helpless and completely overwhelmed”
Tests revealed that Dulcie had developed a Group B Strep (GBS) infection, which had caused both sepsis and pneumonia. An X-ray confirmed the pneumonia, while a lumbar puncture helped doctors diagnose the sepsis. She was just 24 hours old when the diagnosis was confirmed.
Before Dulcie became ill, Andie had never heard of Group B Strep. She had not been offered testing during pregnancy, was unaware that testing was available, and had no recognised risk factors associated with GBS infection.
The day after Dulcie was admitted to NICU, a doctor explained that she had contracted Group B Strep infection after birth and talked the family through what this meant. “Looking back, it’s heartbreaking to think I only learned about Group B Strep after it had already affected my baby”
Dulcie spent two weeks in hospital receiving treatment and specialist care. Thankfully, thanks to the dedication of the neonatal team, she made a full recovery. Today, she is thriving. “She is a happy, healthy and funny little girl who fills our home with laughter. You would never know how critically ill she once was”
Although Dulcie recovered, the experience has had a lasting impact on her family and transformed their understanding of Group B Strep. Her mum is now passionate about raising awareness and believes all pregnant women should be offered a free Group B Strep test as part of their routine NHS care.
A few weeks after Dulcie was born, the family discovered Group B Strep Support. “It made me realise just how many families had been through the same experience as us. Reading other families’ stories and seeing photographs of older children who had once been seriously ill gave us hope during an incredibly difficult time.”
The family has also taken part in fundraising activities, using the opportunity to raise awareness and help others understand the impact of Group B Strep. By sharing Dulcie’s story, the family hopes that more parents will be informed about Group B Strep, offered testing and access to information, and spared the fear and trauma they experienced.
“If sharing our story helps even one family ask questions, seek help sooner, or avoid going through what we did, then it is worth it”
