Mum Amy writes,
“My son Heath was born on 12.12.22. I was luckily swabbed for group B Strep at 37 weeks of pregnancy due to my local hospital, Derriford in Plymouth participating in a trial.
I had not heard of GBS and was very disappointed to find out that I tested positive and could no longer go ahead with my planned homebirth. I felt that the risks involved were too high and felt it was better to be at the hospital.
During my labour I was given antibiotics, but my labour was too fast and I didn’t receive the full amount required, so I was informed my baby would have to stay in for 12 hours of observation.
Shortly after Heath was born, the midwife noticed his breathing wasn’t quite right and he was immediately taken for an X-ray, which revealed a slight cloud over one lung. Due to the circumstances, we stayed in hospital for 5 days so Heath could have antibiotics to fight whatever infection he had.
Although we don’t know for sure what infection Heath had, I’m just glad I knew about GBS beforehand so we could prepare for it. If we had not known about GBS who knows what might have happened. I’m very grateful to the hospital for participating in the trial and for their quick action and care for our son.
Heath is now 6 weeks old and he is perfect. I want other mothers out there to know that whilst the concept of having GBS is scary and worrying; it is 100% better to know whether you have it or not.
I’m so glad I found the GBSS website when I was pregnant. It has provided me with lots of information and I just wanted to thank you for your charity and support. So often we hear the horror stories and awful circumstances that families find themselves faced with due to this not being publicised enough in pregnancies today.”
