<![CDATA[Group B Strep International - Presentation Gallery]]>Thu, 14 May 2026 00:09:17 -0700EditMySite<![CDATA[Parallel Paths Needed to Maximize Group B Strep (GBS) Disease Prevention for All Babies: A GBS Parent Organization Perspective]]>Thu, 25 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/parallel-paths-needed-to-maximize-group-b-strep-gbs-disease-prevention-for-all-babies-a-gbs-parent-organization-perspectivePresented by Marti Perhach, BS
Measurable Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to...
1. Discuss several independent paths needed to maximize GBS disease prevention for babies
2. Explain the World Health Organization’s work to universally categorize infant deaths.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
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Marti Perhach, BS
​Marti Perhach cofounded Group B Strep International (GBSI) in 2006. Previously she had served as President for GBSI's sister organization, The Jesse Cause, since 1999. GBSI was cofounded to expand the scope and audience of the GBS awareness campaign. She also serves as GBSI’s CEO. Her background is Business Administration with a major in Hotel & Restaurant Management and a minor in Marketing from Cal Poly Pomona. Marti enjoys organizing conference exhibits to share information on how to help protect babies from group B strep disease. Marti's daughter, Rose, was stillborn in 1998 due to group B strep.
]]><![CDATA[Internet Crowdsourced Parent-Suggested Research Agenda for the Prevention of Prenatal-onset Group B Strep Disease (POGBSD)]]>Wed, 24 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/internet-crowdsourced-parent-suggested-research-agenda-for-the-prevention-of-prenatal-onset-group-b-strep-disease-pogbsdPresented by Amy Perhach, BA
Measurable Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to...
1. Recognize that parents of GBS-infected babies are informed regarding practicable research needs to prevent GBS disease in babies.
2. Recognize that parents of GBS-infected babies may be a rich source of ideas for identifying relevant research goals to prevent GBS disease.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
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Amy Perhach, BA
Amy Perhach is the Communications Coordinator of Group B Strep International (GBSI). Amy, previously, volunteered at GBSI for over a decade, having lost a sister to group B strep. She has a Communication Studies background with a focus on Interpersonal and Organizational Skills.
]]><![CDATA[Primary and Secondary Prevention of Fetal Death Caused by Maternal Infection]]>Tue, 23 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/primary-and-secondary-prevention-of-fetal-death-caused-by-maternal-infectionPresented by James A. McGregor, MDCM
Measurable Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to:
1. Identify death mechanisms of processes
2. Identify iatrogenic modes of transmission of infection as proposed pathways to fetal death
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
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James A. McGregor, MDCM
​​Dr. James A. McGregor has served as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology practicing at UCLA, USC and the University of Colorado Hospital. Dr. McGregor practiced as a fully engaged obstetrician and gynecologist for forty years at Cedars-Sinai/UCLA, Tucson Medical Center and University of Colorado Hospitals until his retirement in 2010. He is currently on Group B Strep International's Board of Directors and shares his expertise with GBSI through giving presentations and talking to providers and parents at perinatal conference exhibits around the world.
]]><![CDATA[Making or Breaking a Marriage: Couple Communication at the time of loss and over time]]>Mon, 22 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/making-or-breaking-a-marriage-couple-communication-at-the-time-of-loss-and-over-timePresented by Sherokee Ilse, BA, BLFA
Measurable Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to…
1. Compare and contrast the different styles of coping (intuitive/affective vs. Logical/introspective) and describe how they might negatively and positively impact parental relationships
2. Describe three things staff, counselors or others could say to couples in the early hours and weeks that might help parents make better intentional communication choices
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
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Sherokee Ilse, BA, BLFA
Sherokee is an International speaker, grief and loss trainer, bereaved parent and author of 18 books/booklets mostly on infant loss, including her first and most popular self-help book for parents and families, Empty Arms: Coping with Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Death and a co-authored book with Tim Nelson, Couple Communication After a Baby Dies: Differing Perspectives. Her newest book is, The Prenatal Bombshell: Help and hope when continuing or ending a precious pregnancy after an abnormal diagnosis.
​
She had three babies who died too soon and two living sons. Through her newest organization, Loss Doulas International and Baby Loss Family advisors, she trains and helps certify individuals to become one-to-one companions, advisors, guides, and navigators to families soon after hearing the bad news, through their process of preparation and meeting their baby, and beyond.
]]><![CDATA[Perinatal grief and the social world of objects: (re)ordering the past, the present and the future]]>Sun, 21 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/perinatal-grief-and-the-social-world-of-objects-reordering-the-past-the-present-and-the-futurePresented by Paul Cassidy, BBS MPhil​
Measurable Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to…
1. Describe the role objects play in perinatal bereavement
2. Restate how new objects are strongly related to meaning focused on the future
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
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Paul Cassidy, BBS MPhil​
Paul Cassidy BBS MPhil is a Researcher at Umamanita (stillbirth and neonatal death charity) and a PhD student in Sociology and Social Anthropology at the University Complutense of Madrid, where he also completed a Master’s Degree in Research Methodology in Social Science (2014). He holds a degree in Business Studies from Waterford Institute of Technology (1995), where he lectured from 1995 to 1997, before working in private consulting on large-scale surveys, strategic development plans and community consultation processes (NGM, 1996-2003). He is the lead researcher on the first national study of perinatal bereavement care in Spain and principal author if the “Informe Umamanita” report. His other interests include medical sociology, the social organisation of grief and the materialities of bereavement. He is a published author and has contributed to the research work of the International Stillbirth Alliance and is the editor of the magazine Muerte y Duelo Perinatal. He is a member of the organising and scientific committees for the International Stillbirth Allie’s annual conference in Madrid in 2019. 
]]><![CDATA[Should Written Consent Be Required before Fetal Membrane Stripping Especially among GBS Carriers?]]>Sat, 20 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/should-written-consent-be-required-before-fetal-membrane-stripping-especially-among-gbs-carriersPresented by Jane Hanson-Ernstrom, RN, BSN, CNM, MS
Measurable Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to…
1. Identify reasons to not strip membranes
2. Understand why informed consent should always be obtained before invasive procedures, especially those deemed unnecessary
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
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Jane Hanson-Ernstrom, RN, BSN, CNM, MS
​Dedicated certified nurse-midwife and healthcare professional with over 20 years of experience serving women and children in a variety of capacities, including education, clinical settings, research, and volunteer positions. Passionate about the health and well-being of women, infants and children.
]]><![CDATA[Advocating for the health of your baby? If not you, then who? (Part 1)]]>Fri, 19 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/advocating-for-the-health-of-your-baby-if-not-you-then-who-part-1Presented by Sherokee Ilse, BA, BLFA
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
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Sherokee Ilse, BA, BLFA
Sherokee is an International speaker, grief and loss trainer, bereaved parent and author of 18 books/booklets mostly on infant loss, including her first and most popular self-help book for parents and families, Empty Arms: Coping with Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Death and a co-authored book with Tim Nelson, Couple Communication After a Baby Dies: Differing Perspectives. Her newest book is, The Prenatal Bombshell: Help and hope when continuing or ending a precious pregnancy after an abnormal diagnosis.
​
She had three babies who died too soon and two living sons. Through her newest organization, Loss Doulas International and Baby Loss Family advisors, she trains and helps certify individuals to become one-to-one companions, advisors, guides, and navigators to families soon after hearing the bad news, through their process of preparation and meeting their baby, and beyond.
]]><![CDATA[Advocating for the health of your baby? If not you, then who? (Part 2)]]>Thu, 18 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/advocating-for-the-health-of-your-baby-if-not-you-then-who-part-2Presented by Sherokee Ilse, BA, BLFA
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
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Sherokee Ilse, BA, BLFA
Sherokee is an International speaker, grief and loss trainer, bereaved parent and author of 18 books/booklets mostly on infant loss, including her first and most popular self-help book for parents and families, Empty Arms: Coping with Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Death and a co-authored book with Tim Nelson, Couple Communication After a Baby Dies: Differing Perspectives. Her newest book is, The Prenatal Bombshell: Help and hope when continuing or ending a precious pregnancy after an abnormal diagnosis.

She had three babies who died too soon and two living sons. Through her newest organization, Loss Doulas International and Baby Loss Family advisors, she trains and helps certify individuals to become one-to-one companions, advisors, guides, and navigators to families soon after hearing the bad news, through their process of preparation and meeting their baby, and beyond.
]]><![CDATA[Advocating for the health of your baby? If not you, then who? (Part 3)]]>Wed, 17 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/advocating-for-the-health-of-your-baby-if-not-you-then-who-part-3Presented by Sherokee Ilse, BA, BLFA
Measurable Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to…
1. List 3 examples of mothers who successfully or unsuccessfully used their intuition when advocating for their baby.
2. Speak or write down 3 examples of what to say to a medical provider to show one’s concern for the health of a baby and to seek a care strategy that may not be supported by the provider.
3. What 2-3 options do mothers have to seek/gain care for their baby when they are turned down or not heard by their medical provider.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
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Sherokee Ilse, BA, BLFA
​Sherokee is an International speaker, grief and loss trainer, bereaved parent and author of 18 books/booklets mostly on infant loss, including her first and most popular self-help book for parents and families, Empty Arms: Coping with Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Death and a co-authored book with Tim Nelson, Couple Communication After a Baby Dies: Differing Perspectives. Her newest book is, The Prenatal Bombshell: Help and hope when continuing or ending a precious pregnancy after an abnormal diagnosis.

​She had three babies who died too soon and two living sons. Through her newest organization, Loss Doulas International and Baby Loss Family advisors, she trains and helps certify individuals to become one-to-one companions, advisors, guides, and navigators to families soon after hearing the bad news, through their process of preparation and meeting their baby, and beyond.
]]><![CDATA[Provider Support in Subsequent Pregnancies after a GBS+ Birth]]>Tue, 16 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/provider-support-in-subsequent-pregnancies-after-a-gbs-birthPresented by Bevin Tomlin, BS, MS
Measurable Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to…
1. Identify potential treatment options for women pregnant again after a baby born with GBS disease
2. Identify how to support maternal mental health during pregnancy after a traumatic birth or death
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
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Bevin Tomlin, BS, MS
​Bevin Tomlin lost her 2nd daughter, Leah, to prenatal-onset GBS in 2013. After her loss, Bevin founded Leah's Legacy to promote GBS awareness and infant loss support. She has had two more babies since.

Bevin is actively involved in promoting GBS Awareness among providers and parents as the Southeast Regional Coordinator for GBSI. She brainstormed the idea for the Alabama GBS Awareness Campaign in which she collaborated with the Perinatal Program of the Alabama Department of Public Health to have GBS awareness materials distributed throughout the state by nurse managers. She organizes GBS exhibits at perinatal health conferences as well as baby and maternity expos for parents. She is also a board member for Pregnancy After Loss Support, a worldwide support organization for moms pregnant after loss.
]]><![CDATA[Parent Story of Benjamin]]>Mon, 15 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/parent-story-of-benjamin
BENJAMIN — AUSTRALIA
Died in utero April 22, 2017 and was delivered April 24, 2017
Prenatal-onset
Mother's GBS Status: Positive
Gestational Age: 37 weeks, 4 days
Age Harmed: 37 weeks, 4 days gestation
On the night of the 21st of April 2017 my husband and I were up finishing last minute jobs around the house as we knew Benjamin’s arrival was approaching. Earlier that day I was busy and in full nesting mode, I noted that Benjamin wasn't moving a whole lot but put it down to me being busy and not paying attention, I also kept recalling people telling me that babies "run out of room" or are quieter right before labour... boy were they wrong and how I wished I knew better. 

Benjamin was booked to be induced on the 25th of April as he was a larger baby than my first and due to tearing with my smaller baby, they wanted to induce me so that Benjamin didn’t grow much bigger therefore would be easier to labour. On the 21st we went to sleep at 11.30pm. At 3.00am I woke with the most strangest of feeling that Benjamin wasn't moving.  I made the decision to wake and tell my husband. We both agreed that he must just be “sleeping” and while I struggled to go back to bed I managed to sleep again at 5.30am.

At 7am my 2.5 year old came in to wake me up and we had what I told him was “our last Rueben and mama date before Benjamin arrived.” Sadly, I wasn’t wrong. We went to IKEA to get last minute items and return a few things and it was there that it hit me even with an icy cold drink that Benjamin didn’t move, I tried to shift him using my hands full force and he didn’t kick back like he usually would. I panicked, looking for my parking ticket. I rang my husband to tell him I’d be going in to the hospital to check on Benjamin.

He met me there from work and as I was lying on the nurses bed, he held our toddler and we both stared at each other in a way we never had before. Blank, almost second guessing our entire existence, but holding on for results. The nurse used the Doppler to look for a heartbeat... but minutes in she had a blank look on her face mentioning  that she would go and get an obstetrician with an ultrasound machine to get a “closer” look. When she left I said to John “it never takes them long to find his heartbeat” but I still didn’t want to believe my boy was gone. 

The obstetrician pulled her machine out and began the ultrasound on my womb, probing and pressing harder than usual. I was looking at her face to read the results but she didn’t give away much. Two to three minutes of scanning in, I felt my heart sink with the question I knew was about to change our world forever...I asked “please, as soon as you know anything can you just let us know”. She reached out her hand to place on my shoulder and this is the moment I just knew he was gone. I thought to myself there’s only one reason she’s comforting me and there were the words that shattered our entire family “I’m so sorry, there’s no sign of life”. I began weeping uncontrollably, screaming an internal scream that I’ve never screamed before. My husband fell apart still holding our toddler.

Grandparents arrived quickly to take our son away to distract him but he witnessed his family fall apart. He witnessed the moment his brother was pronounced no longer. I had my hospital bag in my car as I was already prepped for an induction but only a very different kind. I stayed and at night they began a process of induction that would see Benjamin born on the 24th is April, only a day shy of his impending arrival. Apart from being deceased, he looked absolutely  perfect, I was so baffled! Why was my boy gone? My pregnancy was so textbook, perfect in every way. 

Eleven weeks later we received our autopsy results confirming that his cause of death was “GROUP B STREP”. I said Isn’t it that swab test? I tested positive to at 36 weeks? (To be placed on IV antibiotics during labour) “Yes” they confirmed. How did it reach him? I thought it was only dangerous for babies during labour or post labour! They said it could've been a slow leak of waters and that it was so rare. They weren’t able to tell me how it got to him and I grew so frustrated so I took research into my own hands. I later learned that group B step can travel up and pierce your intact membranes where baby lives.
​ 
I had an internal “cervical” check at 36.5 days gestation with Benjamin. The day later I noticed a really thick discharge as I wiped and I took a photo of it as i thought I’ll mention at my next appointment. Turns out this was my mucus plug. The plug's function is to act like a cork to help prevent infection reaching the baby. I also quickly learnt that babies movements should never “slow down". They should be regular throughout pregnancy from about week 32 on. 

I am now 21 weeks pregnant with our third little boy and the treatment I’m receiving is far different to my first two pregnancies. I’ve been swabbed from 11 weeks gestation for group B strep. Each time it comes back positive they place me on oral antibiotics along with probiotics to protect the gut flora. The antibiotics are working as for the first time in all my pregnancies.  I’m swabbing negative to GBS. I have a new swab test every 3 weeks to confirm if it’s back or not and treatment accordingly.

The devastating part comes from knowing my son had to die for me to receive this kind of treatment. I've read through my hospital handouts on group B strep and it’s found in the last pages of their large booklet that was published in “2002” and it states only two ways GBS can infect a baby... during labour and post labour. My wish is that they educate women that it can also cause stillbirth and to STOP putting it into the “too rare, too hard” basket. I wish they would also be educated on prevention, monitoring and treatment of group B strep. I had no idea of the above and I felt failed by the system because "it's too rare." 

I ache to have my boy back every single day, so does his father and brother..we know that can’t be but this story is In honour of Benjamin and all those born still due to group B strep,
​
Thank You. 
​
- Sandra Dagher
]]><![CDATA[Parent Story of David James]]>Mon, 15 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/parent-story-of-david-james
DAVID JAMES — AUSTRALIA
Stillborn May 11, 2018
Prenatal-onset
Mother's GBS Status: Not tested
Gestational Age: 35 weeks
Age Harmed: 35 weeks gestation
David was our first baby. We were so excited and so ready to meet him. The countdown was on! 

I had a straightforward pregnancy with no complications. David was growing well. I had attended my appointments throughout my pregnancy and the week before his birth I saw my regular GP and the midwife and had a booked ultrasound (checking growth with my gestational diabetes I was successfully managing with diet alone). At that ultrasound it was discovered that David had no heartbeat.

This was a total shock and absolutely heartbreaking to hear. I didn't have any signs or symptoms that anything was wrong - I had told the midwife the previous day of concerns of his position but that was not of concern to her. She checked his heartbeat that day and it was there. The next day it was not.  

I have never heard of or knew about Strep B infection until we got back the autopsy results. The infection had gotten into my uterus and infected David's little body. My waters had not been broken and my cervix was closed. This all happened very suddenly. 

I hope that improvements can be made for the future. I have come to learn that it is a simple swab test and antibiotics that could potentially prevent Strep B affecting a baby during labor and delivery. Earlier screening and more research is desperately needed.  

My husband and I miss David everyday.  

— Tracey Simpson
]]><![CDATA[Parent Story of Blair]]>Mon, 15 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/parent-story-of-blair
BLAIR — USA
Born October 9, 2008
Prenatal-onset
Mother's GBS Status: Tested positive
Gestational Age: 35 weeks
Age Harmed: 35th weeks of pregnancy
On October 1st at 33 weeks, 6 days, I went to the doctor because I was having contractions. He listened to the baby's heartbeat which was fine and checked me. I was one centimeter dilated. The doctor didn't see any reason to keep me, so he sent me home. The contraction continued that evening and got closer together, so I called the office to tell them. I went to went to the hospital, and they put us in an observation room. I was then 2 centimeters. I was having regular contractions, but Blair was fine. They gave me some medicine to stop the contractions and steroid shots in case I went into labor and did a swab to test for GBS. We stayed two nights and I came home on medicine to reduce contractions and hopefully allow me to make it at least one more week and hopefully more.

On Monday after discharge on Friday, I saw my doctor again, who said I was now almost 2 centimeters which was no change from the hospital. That week I was on medicine and stayed in bed as much as possible. I was still having contractions but they were never regular and didn't hurt.

On Wednesday, October 8th I went to the store and was having contractions the whole time. I was used to this by now though, because I had been having them pretty regularly for two weeks now. At 6:20am on October 9th, I woke up when my water broke. We made the hour drive to the hospital. The contractions were strong, but they weren't very painful. We made it to the hospital around 8:30am. The doctor came and checked me, and I was already 6cm dilated. They told me that the swab they had done showed I was GBS positive. They hung my fluids, got my antibiotics started, and finally started my epidural.

Blair was born at 2:05pm, almost exactly 4 hours after they hung my antibiotics. I was so worried when she came out. She was a good size, but she wasn't moving much. I knew something was wrong, and I kept asking if she was okay. She was in the NICU for almost 8 weeks. She had pneumonia from Group B Strep and yeast, and she had pulmonary hypertension. She came home on oxygen and was on it until she was 7 months old. She has auditory neuropathy but is developmentally progressing appropriately for her age. Blair is such a joy, a blessing and a miracle. She makes us laugh every day. We are so thankful to have her!
​
— Ashlee Wood, USA
]]><![CDATA[Parent Story of Brielle Marie Entze]]>Mon, 15 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/parent-story-of-brielle-marie-entze
BRIELLE MARIE ENTZE - USA 
Stillborn July 22, 2018
Prenatal-onset
Mother's GBS Status: Positive
Gestational Age: 39 weeks
Age Harmed: Stillborn at 39 weeks
This is so hard for me to do, but I feel like I need to in order to potentially save even just one Mother from the absolute heartache and devastation I’m going through. Eight weeks ago I laid my beautiful newborn daughter to rest. I never imagined in a million years that something like this would ever happen to me or my family. You go through life with this false sense that you’re safe, nothing like that could ever happen to you. Oh, how I miss that naivety and blissful innocence! 

My husband and I were expecting our fourth child, a girl! I was 39 weeks and we were all anxious to meet our new little one! I had never had any complications with any of my previous pregnancies and was confident nothing could go wrong. Here I was 39 weeks with a healthy active baby wiggling in my belly just waiting for her to make her debut! I was scheduled to be induced July 27th but sadly we didn’t make it to then. . . July 22nd at about 10am I was concerned she wasn't moving as much and tried to get her to move. It took a little longer than usual but eventually she did kick me and I was satisfied thinking I’d been having regular contractions, she’s probably just resting up because she’ll be coming soon. By 5:30pm we decided to head to the hospital. I was having contractions that were progressing in strength and about 2 mins apart, but they weren’t really bad so I wasn’t sure if it really was time. We headed over anyways and were excited that this may be it! We may finally get to meet this little girl! 

When we arrived at the hospital my contractions were getting stronger and I knew this was it! I was so excited! As the nurses were prepping me they were putting the fetal monitor on and were having a hard time finding her heartbeat. As soon as I didn’t hear anything I knew it wasn’t good, but the nurses tried to reassure me that sometimes they get dropped and don’t work right or the baby is just positioned wrong. So they tried another and still nothing. They ordered an ultrasound and that was literally the longest 30mins of my life waiting for him to come. I was so scared but still clinging to the hope that everything was fine, it had to be! Nothing awful like that would happen to us! Well he finally came and everyone in the room was so quiet and no one would say what was going on. I asked “Is my baby OK?” The next words from the sonographer will haunt me for the rest of my life. “...No...” He said. 

The pain I felt in that moment I would never wish upon anyone. It’s indescribable knowing your sweet baby is gone and you still have to go through the labor knowing the only cries you’ll hear are your own. I wanted to die in that moment and I was so angry! I pleaded with God to make them be wrong she was fine! But by 10:30pm my sweet little angel, Brielle, was born sleeping. She was perfect, 8 lbs, 4 oz. of just pure perfection. Literally the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen. My world came crashing down in an instant and I will never be the same because of this.

When I delivered my placenta there was a 6cm Hematoma at the base of the cord so we assumed at the hospital that it was a blood clot that just happened. A week later we received the results of the autopsy of the placenta and it had been infected with Group B Strep or GBS which caused the blood clot. What I now know is that my little Brielle most likely would have been very ill had she survived. About 1/3 of pregnant women carry the bacteria and it’s harmless to adults, but can have devastating consequences for infants. Doctors in the United States routinely check pregnant women in the 36th week of pregnancy to administer antibiotics during labor. I had tested positive this pregnancy, and when my Doctor told me I was all she said was, “Oh did I tell you your GBS test came back positive?” I had tested positive with my other daughter and negative with my two boys so I wasn’t too concerned. There really wasn’t any information on what would be done about it given to me. I trusted her to know what was best and didn’t think it was a big deal. The next appointment about 5 days before Brielle died I went in and she offered to strip my membranes. I said sure why not, not knowing the risks involved with potentially introducing the bacteria into my uterus. 

Now we have no way of knowing that is what caused it, but I wish I didn’t have to live with this regret that I let her do that to me and if I had just been a little more patient and let my body do it’s thing the end result may have been different. The what if’s and wish I had done’s will never go away and I have to live with that somehow. I wish for my daughter, I had done some research; I wish for my daughter, I would have listened to my body more when I didn’t feel good and I just chalked it up to pregnancy and hot summer days. Her death was preventable, something as simple as antibiotics could have saved her! I’ve been told many times how “rare” GBS is and especially my case where it was able to cross intact membranes. Those statistics, numbers mean absolutely nothing to me! It’s like telling someone just after they were struck with lighting that "Oh the chances of this happening again are like one in a million" and you’re left standing there thinking, “Thank you???” This is the type of thing you don’t want to be the one in a million or thousand or hundred.

GBS stole something so precious to me… It stole my daughter, it stole my innocence and bliss of future pregnancies if there are any. It stole me… I will never ever be the same after this and I look at pictures of us before it all happened and how I long to be that girl again. No one wants to know what this feels like, please share with your pregnant friends and family what I had to learn the hard way. GBS is a HUGE deal! The photo I’m sharing says it a million times better than how I’ve tried to explain what GBS does to families… This is hard to share, It’s me and my husband at our most vulnerable, but I think it captures the pain so beautifully. Please, please don’t be afraid to share information about GBS I know some people are afraid they would scare a pregnant woman with this story or information, but knowledge is power! If it helps even just one woman make an informed decision that could potentially save herself from this horrible thing than it’s worth it to me!

-Kristen Entze 
]]><![CDATA[Parent Story of Brogan]]>Mon, 15 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/parent-story-of-brogan
BROGAN — USA
Lived November 3, 2001 to November 8, 2001
Early-onset
Mother's GBS Status: Tested negative
Gestational Age: 37 weeks
Age Harmed: 6 Hours
Our beautiful baby boy would have been 17 years old this year, but he was taken to soon due to GBS. I tested negative for GBS at 36 weeks but I was also on an antibiotic at the time for a UTI so the antibiotics in turn masked the results of my test. I went into labor at 37 weeks and delivered my son vaginally after 20 hours of labor, my whole family welcomed Brogan into the world that morning, he was a beautiful baby full of black hair, but his color was very pale and dusky. 

I delivered my son at a small hospital and not many had even heard of GBS so when our son started failing 6 hours after he was born no one knew why, he was grunting, nasal flaring and his oxygen saturation was in the 80’s, the nurses and doctor let him lay there for almost 3 hours before calling for transfer to a larger hospital with a NICU. When the neonatologist arrived to pick Brogan up she said to my husband and I that she knew by taking one look at him that he had GBS and she had treated another baby with it last week and he had passed away. My husband and I were completely devastated our son, our first born, may die. 

My husband left with our son but I had to stay at the hospital and wait to be released before I could go and be with my baby, within an hour of transfer my husband called and told me just to leave that if I didn’t get to the larger hospital I may not get to see our son again. I left the hospital and arrived at the larger hospital and they were loading our son up to take him onto another facility that would be better equipped to care for him. My husband and I drove 2 hours not knowing if our son would be alive when we arrived at Riley Children’s Hospital. When we finally got there our son was already in surgery being placed on ECMO a heart lung bypass machine, we were told that Brogan had coded twice in the ambulance and they had to go ahead and get him on the machine or he would die within the hour. 

​At 3:30am I finally got to see my son, there were tubes and machines everywhere, it was so scary, we were not allowed to touch our son except a small space on his forehead so for 5 days my husband, family and I sat by his side rubbing his forehead. On the fourth day, we were told our son a bleed in his brain and they were going to wean him off ECMO through the night and they would do an ultrasound in the morning to see what the bleed looked like, I will never forget watching through the NICU window as they did the ultrasound, watching the doctors faces and knowing it wasn’t good. The doctor came out and informed us that our son had a very large bleed in his brain and would never live without machines. My husband and I had to make the hardest decision we would ever have to make, we had to take our son off of life support, I pray that no one ever has to go through this. My husband and I held our son in our arms and watched him as he took his last breath of life. Our son’s death could have been prevented if our doctors and nurses were properly educated on GBS, there isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t think of our son.

-Rebecca Bosworth
]]><![CDATA[Parent Story of Santiago Nicholas]]>Mon, 15 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/parent-story-of-santiago-nicholas
SANTIAGO NICHOLAS— USA
June 26, 2018- July 2, 2018
Early-onset
Mother's GBS Status: Tested Negative
Gestational Age: 38 weeks, 4 days
Age harmed: 1 day old
I live in a small town in Nevada (USA). At 36 weeks I was swabbed for GBS and a week later I was told it was negative. At my 37 week appointment my doctor told me he was going to be going on vacation and he wanted to induce me. He also said he would do a membrane sweep in a week to try and start things up and the next day I would be induced at 5:30 in the morning. I was so excited... well June 26th 2018 came and we got things going. Three hours later they decided to brake my water because I was not progressing  fast enough and my OB wanted to leave and go on vacation soon. I was in labor for 12 more hours before my baby boy was in my arms.

He was so perfect. 7lbs and 1 oz and 19 inches long. We were told he was healthy and we couldn't be happier. We  decided to name him Santiago Nicholas. The whole family was there and everyone was so happy.

​An hour later my family and I noticed things were off with him. He would grunt and looked like he was in pain. He would not stop making noises and every time we moved him, he would cry. We also noticed he was sensitive to the light and his feet and hands and nose were cold, but the rest of his body was warm. We let the nurses know and they did not listen. They said it was normal. He would not eat and he would throw up everything he did try to eat.  In my heart I knew it was not.

After everyone went home at 8:30pm I told the nurses he looked grey. They kept brushing me off. Later the night time nurse checked his heart and it was at 2:00. She called the doctor that took over for my OB ran a couple of test, but didn't know what was wrong with him. They put him on an IV. The next morning they decided to care fly us to Salt Lake City Utah. When we arrived they found he had GBS sepsis and Meningitis.

We were at the hospital for 6 days. It was roller coaster. They gave us no hope for him. He was put under 11 different medications. He had blood transfusions and platelets every day. He was also having seizures. They tried three different medications to control it, but nothing worked. His potassium levels were up and he was swelling up due to his capillaries breaking. He was not urinating so all his fluids leaked in his body. His skin was ripping and he had to be put on morphine. They wanted to do ECMO, but were not able to, due to bleeding in his brain. He passed away July 2nd at 1:15am in my arms. He swelled up too much it was constricting his lungs and his heart. They couldn't get his blood pressure up or his oxygen levels up.

I had to watch how my baby was slowly dying and I couldn't do anything to help him. His body gave out before the antibiotics could kick in. I was told by the doctors in Salt Lake that the hospital where he was born should've administered antibiotics right away. Instead they waited until they got the results. I was not aware what GBS is. I just knew it was a normal procedure they did. So I thought nothing of it. I wish I knew because all the signs were  there. On July 17, I buried my baby boy. I wish my doctor would've talked to me about GBS and the risk it actually had, but even the doctors and nurses failed to see the signs.  

​-Yadira
]]><![CDATA[Parent Story of Emma and Braiden]]>Mon, 15 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/parent-story-of-emma-and-braiden
EMMA - USA
Stillborn June 15, 2012
Prenatal-onset
Mother's GBS Status: Tested positive
Gestational Age: 20 weeks  
Age Harmed: 20 weeks gestation
BRAIDEN - USA
Miscarried October 2013
Prenatal-onset
Mother's GBS Status: Tested positive
Gestational Age: 17 weeks
Age Harmed: 17 weeks gestation
I had back to back pregnancies. I lost Emma at 20 weeks in 2012 and Braiden at 17 weeks in 2013. For both babies I went in for a normal appointment and no heartbeat could be found. I gave birth, and both autopsies showed GBS as cause of death since the babies had GBS in their hearts. I was told after Emma that this was a once in a lifetime thing to happen, and it would not happen again.

It took a year to get pregnant with Braiden and I was tested at 13 weeks for GBS which was positive and I was given antibiotics. The next test at 15 weeks was negative and when I went in at 17 weeks he had died. He was kicking like a crazy the day before, so he ended up dying on my daughter's birthday who was with us because we were finding out the sex of the baby that day.

A few months after the death I received a phone call from the Health Department stating that I should have had daily antibiotics starting at 10 weeks. This was highly upsetting. I now have an infectious disease doctor (high-risk), daily antibiotics and progesterone. The doctors tell me that they have never experienced this and have no idea if this will work next time or if I will lose another baby and I am terrified.
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— Staci Shockley, USA
]]><![CDATA[Parent Story of Rosalie Marie]]>Mon, 15 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/parent-story-of-rosalie-marie
ROSALIE MARIE — USA
Born September 30, 2014
Prenatal-onset
Mother's GBS status: Tested positive
Treatment: IV antibiotics during labor and delivery
Gestational Age: 38 weeks, 6days
Age Harmed: At delivery, but believes the infection was prenatal-onset ​
Rosalie was my 3rd child to be born. In both of my prior pregnancies I had tested negative for GBS and my babies were fine. With Rosalie I tested positive for GBS and was told it was no big deal. I would just receive IV antibiotics during labor so I believed my Dr. On Sept 30th I went into labor and in just 3 hours she was born. I barely received 1 bag of penicillin. She was tachycardic all throughout labor and when she was delivered she was blue. She was not breathing and tachycardic. NICU was called in and they resuscitated her for 40 seconds. Once breathing she was in extreme respiratory distress. She was immediately taken to the NICU and put on oxygen, an IV, got antibiotics, had a spinal tap, and could not maintain her blood sugar so put on something for that as well. Her blood cultures and spinal tap never actually grew anything but we were told she was born septic due to the GBS causing an infection while in utero. Might I add my water had never broken and was intact the entire time. My OBGYN ruptured the sac 4 min before delivery. Rosalie spent 8 days in the NICU on medication and today is an otherwise healthy 2.5 year old little girl. She was diagnosed at 15 months with a heart condition called SVT. 

I would like to mention that sometime during my 20th week of pregnancy I had a very bad UTI that had me admitted to the hospital for 3 days. I was never informed then if GBS was the cause of that infection. 

I am now 13 weeks pregnant and am terrified. At my 6 weeks prenatal appointment they cultured my urine for GBS and found a small trace of it already in my urine but are electing to do nothing about it as it is not current ACOG regulations. I have demanded a consult with a perinatal specialist who I see this week. I am terrified every day that I will lose this baby or repeat the horror of my daughter's story again. I know I have a happy ending and feel for those who suffered much worse fates. GBS is a big deal and the medical profession needs to begin recognizing that.

— Kacy Kennedy
]]><![CDATA[Parent Story of Finley Genevieve]]>Mon, 15 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/parent-story-of-finley-genevieve
FINLEY GENEVIEVE — USA
Lived September 28, 2017 to September 29, 2017
Early-onset
Mother's GBS Status: Tested negative
Gestational Age: 39 weeks
Age harmed: 18 hours old
I had a miscarriage at 12 weeks December 2015, was then told by fertility specialists I didn’t have great ovaries to have my own baby. January 26, 2017 we found out I was pregnant so for the 9 months we knew this precious girl was our miracle baby. I had a fantastic pregnancy.

At week 36 I was tested for GBS and the result was negative, I was relieved and my doctor never mentioned that I could contract GBS up until I gave birth. If I would’ve known that I would’ve pushed further for another test or to have Finley tested.

At 8:16pm on September 28, 2017 our gorgeous girl was born and she was perfect.  The hour that I was able to hold her was the best hour of my life. My husband fed her, changed her and was in awe of her. She did show signs of grunting fairly quickly but no one thought much of it.

At around 4am the nurses took Finley to the nursery and at 7am a respiratory therapist came in calmly stating that perhaps Finley had a small respiratory infection. They told us not to worry, they’re the professionals so we didn’t worry. At around 11am the NICU team has us come see Finley as her vitals were dropping and they wanted to transfer her to the children’s hospital.

When Finley heard our voices her vitals spiked. It brought tears to my eyes. She seemed better. At around 1pm we got a call to come quickly as Finley was fading. My husband and I were in shock, felt like we were living in a nightmare in slow motion. We rushed to her side, had her baptized and mommy held her sweet girl while she died in my arms.

It all happened so fast all I keep crying out is “what is happening to our daughter??” No one could tell us. A neonatologist had a thought that it might be GBS and I said “no way,” I was negative. That’s where I found out GBS can change day to day. My husband and I found out 24 hours later that Finley indeed died from GBS since her blood work didn’t come back until then. We just had our first Christmas without our baby girl and the hole in our hearts is so large, death is endless pain. We miss you our sweet little girl. You deserved better.

-Kelli Smith
]]><![CDATA[A prospective, observational study on causes of stillbirths in African women from South Africa]]>Sun, 14 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/a-prospective-observational-study-on-causes-of-stillbirths-in-african-women-from-south-africaPresented by Dr. Shabir Madhi and Narrated by Clare Cutland
Measurable Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to…
1. Understand that informed decision making on tools to prevent stillbirths requires systematic investigation of the cases.
2. Describe foetal invasive bacterial disease as a leading cause of stillbirth in low-middle income settings, including due to GBS, E. coli and Enterococcus sp.
:ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
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Shabir Madhi, MBBCh, FCPaeds, MMed, PhD
Shabir Madhi is Professor of Vaccinology at University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa His current research interests includes the epidemiology of GBS disease and clinical development of GBS vaccines, and include the first studies on a trivalent GBS conjugate vaccine in pregnant women.
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Clare Cutland, MBBCH, PhD
Dr. Clare Cutland is the deputy director of the Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit (RMPRU) based at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH), Soweto, South Africa. She qualified with a Bachelor in Science (B.Sc. 1993) and Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBCh 1997) from The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg, South Africa. After completing a Diploma in Child Health (DCH 2000), she joined RMPRU as a full time research doctor, under Professor Shabir Madhi. She has been an investigator on numerous phase I, II and III paediatric and maternal vaccine trials and principal investigator on a phase II paediatric measles vaccine trial, a phase III quadrivalent influenza vaccine trial in children and a phase III maternal influenza immunization trial in HIV-positive women. ​
]]><![CDATA[What Are Ways to Help Establish a Likely Cause of Perinatal Mortality?]]>Sat, 13 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/what-are-ways-to-help-establish-a-likely-cause-of-perinatal-mortalityPresented by Marti Perhach, BS
Measurable Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to…
1. Identify ways to establish a likely cause of perinatal morbidity
2. Discuss the psychological and social aspects of perinatal bereavement
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
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Marti Perhach, BS
​Marti Perhach cofounded Group B Strep International (GBSI) in 2006. Previously she had served as President for GBSI's sister organization, The Jesse Cause, since 1999. GBSI was cofounded to expand the scope and audience of the GBS awareness campaign. She also serves as GBSI’s CEO. Her background is Business Administration with a major in Hotel & Restaurant Management and a minor in Marketing from Cal Poly Pomona. Marti enjoys organizing conference exhibits to share information on how to help protect babies from group B strep disease. Marti's daughter, Rose, was stillborn in 1998 due to group B strep.

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]]><![CDATA[Post-Mortem Authorisation – Parent to Parent]]>Fri, 12 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/post-mortem-authorisation-parent-to-parent​Presented by Dr. Margaret-Jane Evans B.Sc., MBChB., FRCPath (Paeds), LLM (Edin)
Accompanying video:
Measurable Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to…
1. Discuss what parents want to know about the post mortem process and to involve them in provision of accessible materials which address their concerns
2. Discuss the families’ concerns about their baby’s body being treated with dignity and respect
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
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​Dr. Margaret-Jane Evans B.Sc., MBChB., FRCPath (Paeds), LLM (Edin)
I have been employed as a consultant perinatal pathologist at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh since 2005 and am responsible for performing fetal and perinatal autopsies both for the hospital and the Procurator Fiscal. I firmly believe that detailed autopsy and placental pathology make a significant contribution to the understanding of stillbirth and neonatal deaths. I feel passionately about pathology involvement in the review of stillbirths and neonatal deaths and its ability to inform future care. I am concerned with issues regarding public perception of autopsy; with this in mind I have been involved in “out-reach” programmes aimed at educating young people and the wider public about the role played by pathology in the diagnosis of disease, including the development of suitable materials for engaging parents in discussion about autopsy and placental examination in order to ensure informed consent. I am also actively involved in developing new resources for health care messaging. 
]]><![CDATA[Development of Putative Working Definitions of Prenatal-onset Group B Strep (POGBS) Invasive Disease Using "Internet Commons" GBS Parent and Provider Sources]]>Thu, 11 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/development-of-putative-working-definitions-of-prenatal-onset-group-b-strep-pogbs-invasive-disease-using-internet-commons-gbs-parent-and-provider-sourcesPresented by James A. McGregor, MDCM
Measurable Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to…
1. Utilize the proposed basis for classifying cases in which GBS infection occurs prior to term labor and membrane rupture
2. Understand why GBS selective culture-based antibiotic chemoprophylaxis (IAP) may fail
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
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James A. McGregor, MDCM
​Dr. James A. McGregor has served as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology practicing at UCLA, USC and the University of Colorado Hospital. Dr. McGregor practiced as a fully engaged obstetrician and gynecologist for forty years at Cedars-Sinai/UCLA, Tucson Medical Center and University of Colorado Hospitals until his retirement in 2010. He is currently on Group B Strep International's Board of Directors and shares his expertise with GBSI through giving presentations and talking to providers and parents at perinatal conference exhibits around the world.
]]><![CDATA[Delayed Acquisition of Rectovaginal GBS Colonization: A Hidden Benefit of GBS Conjugate Vaccines]]>Wed, 10 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/delayed-acquisition-of-rectovaginal-gbs-colonization-a-hidden-benefit-of-gbs-conjugate-vaccinesPresented by Lawrence C. Paoletti, PhD
Editor's Note: At 12:03 when red and blue boxes are mentioned, the correct reference is to the red and yellow boxes showing GBS types
Measurable Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to…
1. Relate a history of GBS conjugate vaccine development.
2. Discuss results from a clinical study to determine if an immunogenic GBS vaccine can reduce the time to first vaginal colonization by GBS.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
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Lawrence C. Paoletti, PhD
​​Dr. Lawrence Paoletti is a microbiologist with over 25 years of experience in the development and testing of group B streptococcal vaccines for use in humans. He is an author on over 70 scientific papers, review articles and book chapters relating to GBS disease prevention.
]]><![CDATA["Reduced Discomfort" Vaccination: Pain Prevention Strategies to Encourage Readiness for a Maternal Vaccine against Group B Streptococcus]]>Tue, 09 Oct 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/presentations/reduced-discomfort-vaccination-pain-prevention-strategies-to-encourage-readiness-for-a-maternal-vaccine-against-group-b-streptococcusPresented by James A. McGregor, MDCM
Measurable Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to…
1. Identify medical means to reduce or eliminate vaccination injection fear and/ or discomfort
2. Understand the consequences of poor pain/anxiety/stress management for patients
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
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James A. McGregor, MDCM
​​Dr. James A. McGregor has served as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology practicing at UCLA, USC and the University of Colorado Hospital. Dr. McGregor practiced as a fully engaged obstetrician and gynecologist for forty years at Cedars-Sinai/UCLA, Tucson Medical Center and University of Colorado Hospitals until his retirement in 2010. He is currently on Group B Strep International's Board of Directors and shares his expertise with GBSI through giving presentations and talking to providers and parents at perinatal conference exhibits around the world.
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