Thanks, Samantha

you can send away for a kit (which is free) but then to get the results, you pay £32 or so...and I think the results can be texted to you!

there is some info here
http://www.gbss.org.uk/content.php?s...ng%20For%20All

If I decide to get it, I'll probably order from the mumstuff website (it looks safer to me). I thought about asking my midwife about it but I have a feeling I'll just be told I'm worrying about nothing...but if it's one less thing to worry about, I'd rather have it done.

I did some reading yesterday about treatment. Apparently, you need a dose of antibiotics 4 hours before you give birth for the best effects. If you haven't given birth after the first dose, subsequent doses are every 8 hours. I was glad to read this so I know I won't have to be hooked to an IV constantly if I am positive

From what I read, testing wasn't made standard procedure in the US until the late 90s. The actual incidence of GBS infections in infants is very very low but it is very serious. Since its a bacteria that is part of the natural flora in about 40% of women, I think it would be worth it to have it done, especially if you have any risks factors.

See now im confused with all this again

When i was about 28 weeks pregnant i asked my midwife about getting this done and she said that if i was really worried i could book in with my practise nurse to get it done (im on isle of wight uk)

I thought it was after 37 weeks you can get tested accurately?

Midwife is coming out to me on tuesday morning so i will double check there is no charge etc but im sure she would have said if there was. Maybe its only free in some health regions?

Also whats this about a rectal swab too??!! me dont want one of those!!

Just ordered a free kit off www.medisave.co.uk just in case....its 32 pounds to get it tested.

It's a tiny swab on the edge of your anus. It painless and does not even take 2 seconds!

Just ordered my test off mumsnet. Thanks everyone for all your answers/advice! I love that we can get share so much info here.

I don't know why they don't do it in England tbh, I think that it probably should be done routinely.

Probably worth doing it if you can. Only costs £30 ish I think and it's definately worth the peace of mind.

xxx

i Get it, cos last pregnancy i did get strep b and had a horrid delivery with the shakes and passing out and me and baby had to have antibiotics for 7 days after.

so they said on this pregnancy i will have to have antibiotics every half an hour through labour from start to finish.

Great.....

I think every pregnant woman should have it, cos the birth was arwful for me.

My understanding is that the tests usually done within the NHS give lots of falsely negative results, so a positive one is true but you can't be as sure of a negative one. You can get a reliable test privately and it costs around £32 I think it's ridiculous it's not available on the NHS. There's loads of info about this on the Group B Strep Support website at www.gbss.org.uk.