QuestionHi Brenda
I am a GBS carrier(they found GBS in my urine) and I had the Amniocentesis done at 16 weeks and I am now 20 weeks.
During the day of amniocentesis was so hot(over 94 degree) that I was not sure the wet underwear was sweat or leakage of amnio fluid. Just very little amount and no more after I changed my underwear. I would like to know if the Group B strep can pass through the vaginal channel(the amniotic fluid as a media) then to the uterus and infected the baby even a very little amount?
I had my doctor visit yestersday. But the doctor was on vacation, and the technician did the ultrasound, we could see the baby moved.
I told my concern to the ultracound technician and he told me that if the baby was infected by the GBS through the vaginal channel(even a very little amount) after the amniocentesis, there was no chance for the baby to survive upto now, is that true?. So her point is since my baby is fine now, so she thinks that no infection has occurred though the vaginal channel,otherwise, the baby should have died already as GSB is a severe infection. What is your advice?
My concern is that if the infection is mild (I suspect I leaked a little amount only) through the vaginal channel, will the baby be infected and that does not cause it to death, but may cause something like brain damage, or delay development. Please advise.
Thanks for your patience. I appreciated your help very much. My next doctor appointment will be 4 weeks later, so I would like to get the answer from you.
AnswerDear Ellen,
OK, first - the chances of you leaking amniotic fluid via the vagina after an amniocentesis is minimal (1% of cases). The puncture site usually seals itself very rapidly and is abdominal. There would be no natural tract for the bacteria to travel. IF the fluid you noted actually was amniotic fluid the natural "flow" would have been down and out toward your vagina - not up and inwards toward the very small abdominal opening from the syringe.
The assessment of the technician is also correct. If the baby were to have become infected, fetal distress would be noted - at the very least. If the baby is appropriately active with a normal fetal heart rate, there seems to be no cause for alarm. An infection would likely not remain "mild". The bacterium would multiply rapidly. This is why women who are carriers of GBS cannot be effectively treated with antibiotics during their pregnancy to adequately protect the baby. An antibiotic during pregnancy may reduce the amount of GBS in their bodies for a short time, but it will grow back very quickly, leaving the baby unprotected at delivery.
When you go into labor, you'll be treated with IV antibiotics, such as penicillin or ampicillin, when your labor begins. If you're allergic to penicillin and related drugs, you may receive clindamycin or a similar alternative. Doctors generally try to give two doses of antibiotics four hours apart before delivery. If you have a long labor, you may receive additional doses. This is the most effective treatment in preventing transmission of GBS to the baby.
I hope this information has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
Brenda
