Group B Strep Results

I had my appointment this afternoon and everything measured normal and looked good.  She did not check me so I don't know if I have progressed in my dilation or anything which was a bot disappointing since I was sort of looking forward to finding out if I was the same or had made progress.  The biggest news to come out of the appointment is that I am group B streptococcus positive.  

Group B strep is a type of bacterial infection that can be found in about 25% of all healthy pregnant women.  What this means is that I could pass it to my baby during delivery.  Only about 1 in every 2,000 babies in the United States is affected by the bacteria and not every baby who is born to a mother who tests positive will become ill.  It simply means I am a carrier, I am not sick and I am not being treated for anything now.  So if my water breaks I just need to go right to the hospital and will begin to receive antibiotics, if it doesn't break then whenever I do go to the hospital I will begin receiving antibiotics.  I will be kept for 48 hours after delivery so that they can watch me and the baby and be sure we don't spike a fever or anything else to indicate infection.

On maybe a brighter note this is what is happening with baby this week.  His intestines have accumulated a considerable amount of meconium now which should be eliminated shortly after birth.  Fingernails have now grown in so that baby can actually scratch himself in the womb and we will want to watch to protect him from that when he is here.  Baby's lungs are continuing to mature and his brain and nerve function are working better and better every day.

I have covered everything at work so I should be able to not show up and have things get taken care of, but next week is my busiest time so if this little guy can hang on one more week it would be best for both Kris and I then I say bring him on.