Isaac’s mum Lauren writes,
“I had never heard of group B strep and I had no idea you could have it when you’re pregnant. It was never discussed in any midwife appointments. I ended up in a 43-hour labour and I honestly believe if I had been educated I would have been more concerned about the risks of leaving me for that long! I would have demanded antibiotics straight away.
I had a very healthy pregnancy with no concerns. I’d had a midwife appointment in the morning, My midwife said she would see me after I was 40 weeks and we would discuss induction. She said I was no way near labour. I went home, had a very long nap and woke up at 6 pm and my waters broke in the kitchen! I then went into the midwife unit to be checked. They didn’t seem concerned, confirmed my waters had broken, briefly told me about the risk of infection and I was sent home.
I then went into labour whilst I was at home during the night. I rang the unit at 11 am telling them I was in a lot of pain but they basically said the unit was too busy and I’d be sat on my own waiting due to Covid restrictions at the time. I eventually took myself in at 5 pm, but I was not seen until 8 pm.
The consultant came in, started speaking to me about inducing me (I remember saying I don’t understand what you’re saying, I was in SO much pain, and she started telling me I need to be more serious). She then examined me and I was 4cm dilated. I finally got onto the labour ward at 12 am. My boy was born at 4.30 pm on 30/10/21.
From what I understand my temperature spiked, so I remember being in the postnatal ward and having antibiotics via IV. Then when my baby was 2 days old a consultant came over and told me about group B Strep. He then told me that I had tested positive from a test they did when my waters broke and there was a chance my baby could be infected. I just remembered being so confused! My boy then had to have IV antibiotics, lumbar punctures and blood cultures were taken. It came back that he had sepsis but he was responding really well to the antibiotics. Eventually, we came home when he was a week old.
He’s now a healthy, smiley and beautiful 7-month-old. I’m so grateful to the NHS staff at Bodelwyddan Hospital for doing the tests and reacting so quickly. I just really wish I had been educated, I’m always thinking about what could have happened. I now talk to everyone about it, I really think it should be a mandatory part of midwife care! A simple test could save a baby’s life.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story!
Lauren and Isaac”
