UTI and Strep B- HELP!

Courtney - Congrats on making it to 29 weeks! I am so sorry that your son Ben passed away, it's just not fair for any parent to have to go through that.

I don't know much about UTIs but I was diagnosed with Strep B when I had my son. I can't remember the exact numbers but somewhere around 1/4 to 1/3 of all women have it. I don't believe it is techincally a UTI and my understanding is that they don't treat you for it until you are in labor. My OB said it doesn't do any good to be on antibiotics beforehand.

I was told to go to the hospital as soon as my water broke because they needed me to be on IV penicillin for a few hours before the baby arrived. I wound up being induced so they just started the penicillin before they turned on the pitocin and I was all set.

I wouldn't get too nervous. It wasn't long ago that they didn't even test for it and although it can be lead to serious problems with the babies health, it is not very common to have that happen. (It's something like a 1 in 100 chance that the baby would get it even if you didn't have treatment for Strep B.)

I am sorry you are having these complications but overall they are fairly minor and you should be proud of yourself for making it to 29 weeks! I hope you have another 2 months of pregnancy and all the "fun" that goes along with it!

Good Luck,
Jackie

I was diagnosed all 3 times with Group B Strep. Unfortunately for me, it did affect 2 out of 3 of my children. The oldest was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis (as a direct result of the infection, she was later diagnosed with CP, although mild) and it caused another infection in my second baby, but she was fine. Usually the only way this happens is if your water has been broken for too long and they weren't able to put you on iv antibiotics right away (this will be the 1st thing they do. My water began leaking on a fri nite (I was 30 weeks) and kept being told by the on call doctor that I was just "urinating a little bit" turned out by sunday that I was in labor, she wasn't born until monday morning. Please go to the hospital right away even if you think it may be a little pee or even if there is no pain. Do not delay, it is always safer than sorry! Good luck to you.

Has your doctor explained this to you in detail? If not, you may want to ask him/her for specific information that relates to your particular case.

-Shonda

Hi, Courtney. I'm Karen, and I work at the March of Dimes. Here's what our Web site says about urinary tract infections:

Up to 10 percent of pregnant women have bacteria in their urine, which indicates a urinary tract infection. Most have no symptoms, but even a symptomless urinary tract infection may spread upwards to the kidneys, where it can pose a serious risk to mother and baby. Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics that are safe for mother and baby.

Here's a link to information on group B strep: http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/188_679.asp

There are antibiotics for treatment that are safe for both you and your baby. Talk to your provider to make sure you're getting the right medication.

All the best to you!

Karen