QuestionI am 25 years old, I have 2 children, and I am 25 weeks pregnant. (LMP March 14, :) I am currently on Amoxil for Group B Strept (since I have a history of PROM, and I don't want to have another preemie, if I can prevent it). Someone who is very 'healthy' told me that I shouldn't be taking antibiotics during pregnancy, because it can affect the baby, too.
Is that true?
I think the dangers of GBS far outweigh any 'harm' that can come from the antibiotics. Am I right?
Also, what are the effects of GBS on a newborn baby, if the mother isn't medicated during labor? (My caregiver and I plan for me to be medicated.) I hope you can answer this (or at least the last question) so that I can have an educated response for all the nay-sayers that insist on bothering me about my decisions.
Thank you so much for your time.
Sheva
AnswerWe usually test for GBS at 36 weeks gestation. It does not matter if you had a history of PROM in a previous pregnancy. If the culture is positive at 36 weeks, it means that by the time you reach term, and go into labor, you will be inundated with GBS in the vagina. For that reason, if you are positive for GBS at 36 weeks, we treat you with antibiotics when you go into labor. If you do break your water, we advise you to come to the hospital immediately and start antibiotics to prevent GBS from passing on to the newborn as it comes down the birth canal. GBS can be devastating for the newborn. However, you do not have to be on antibiotics during the pregnancy (only when you are in labor) unless you had GBS found in your urine. Certainly, GBS causes more harm to the baby than any antibiotics will cause. The antibiotics will not cause any harm to the baby, especially if they are used as prophylaxis to prevent infant morbidity. Stop listening to other "nay sayers" and tell them to leave you alone. To avoid preterm labor, drink plenty of water and call your doctor as soon as you have any contractions, especially if you break your water.
