GBS+ and worried for my natural birth plans

it was found in my 1st trimester through a urine screening that i am GBS+, which means i will need IV antibiotics during labor. i'm a little bummed because my plan (as silly as it is to have a plan so early on when things can change drastically) is to use the hospital's birthing center with no interventions (au natural) and ideally spend very little time in the hospital. they like you to arrive in active labor and stay only 12-18 hours post partum which sounds PERFECT to me.

i'm bummed because from some things i'm reading, they may need a number of hours (8+) before the birth to administer the proper amount of antibiotics. this could mean i need to show up sooner than i'd want and can't labor at home as long. i'm also bummed about having an IV in general. i wanted nothing stuck into my body. it really creeps me out to think about doing something as physical as laboring and birthing with a catheter sticking out from my arm or hand. the dr said i wouldn't be attached to the IV except during antibiotic admin time, but the rest of the time i'd have a hep lock.

i know in the grand scheme of things, this shouldn't really phase me but i think i'm just starting to envision a snowball effect of my natural, intervention free plan being eroded....

Re: GBS+ and worried for my natural birth plans

Don't worry about the GBS! Even if you have to get to the hospital a little earlier it isn't the end of the world. The will give you a dose of antibiotics unhook you and you'll be free to move around again. I arrived @ the hospital @ 5cm@ 8 pm and my LO arrived at 8am in the morning. That would be plenty of time for 2 doses of ab's. The catheter is not really that bad at all and when you are in active/hard labor there will be much more pressing things to pay attention too then the catheter hehe. I would suggest asking the nurses to have it placed in your hand so that you can bend your arm comfortably while getting into different positions/it won't get in the way as much. I didn't have one placed till the pushing phase as I was getting dehydrated so the docs were concerned I might needs some fluid support, again at that point I could have cared less hehe. Good look with your natural birth plan, you can definitely do it, don't let the one thing psych you out at all!

ETA: You can also have your doc retest you for GBS close to your due date as your GBS status can change from month to month (esp. if your last test was in the first trimester!)

Message edited 6/12/2013 9:36:07 PM.

GBS+ and worried for my natural birth plans

I would definitely stick to your plan but keep an open mind bc plans don't often work out. I would find out what they normally do in the birthing center in your situation since i"m sure it's somewhat common. As PP mentioned, ask the doctor if they'll reconsider the antibiotics if you test negative down the road.

As for laboring at home, you don't have to rush to the hospital unless your water breaks. I did 8 hours at home and was 5cm when I got to the hospital. I did get an epi and did a lot of waiting around while the doctor handled two emergency births before mine so in the end it was another 12 hours before I delivered. It does take a long time for the antibiotics to go in and I won't lie, it burned A LOT, but having an iv doesn't mean you're tied to the bed and can't move around. Hopefully it will all work out. I totally understand your feelings though since I may be in same boat in the future. I definitely toy with the idea of having a natural birth for the next one but GBS is one of the things I worry can mess that up. GL to you!