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ADDISON — USA
Stillborn May 31, 2008 Prenatal-onset Mother's GBS Status: Tested positive Gestational Age: Full-term Age harmed: Full-term at 40 weeks |
I was pregnant with my first child at 31. I called her my miracle baby due to the circumstances. At first I wasn't sure if I was going to keep her. I was up in the air about adoption or signing her to my ex-husband. In the end I decided she was here for a reason and she was going to be mine. I got everything ready, read all the books and did tons of research on the best seats, cribs, strollers and anything that had to do with babies. As my due date approached I grew excited with anticipation of bringing home my new baby girl. I couldn't wait. I didn't have a name picked out yet, but I had a list. I couldn't wait to look into her eyes and get to know her before deciding on a name. I went in for my weekly checkup on May 28th. Everything was perfect--heart rate of 149, urine good, no infections. I knew I had tested positive for GBS, but we had a plan--the usual antibiotics during labor. We went over the birth plan--wait until the contractions are 5 minutes apart, if there is any bleeding come in right away. If there is any major cramping or fluid loss that is colored come in right away. We went over all the precautions. After all I was only 6 days from my due date.
I went home that night feeling confident. I knew what to do even though this was my first pregnancy. The next day, May 29th, my contractions started around 6:30 pm. No need to panic they were still 10 minutes apart and I only lived 3 miles from the hospital. So I sat and relaxed the best I could. I went to bed around 9:00 pm so I could get a little sleep since that is what the books say to do. Rest and relax because labor will take a lot out of you. I woke around 11:00 pm and my little girl was kicking like crazy. The contractions were getting stronger and closer. My excitement grew and I finished packing my bag and pacing the floor. I decided it was time--May 30th at 12:15am. I told my sister and we were off. We were at the hospital within 10 minutes. I couldn't wait. I thought, "Today I will be delivering a beautiful baby girl and I will finally be able to tell her I love her in person and hold her."
I got to the hospital and was admitted right away. The nurses were busy as there was a full house that night. They hooked up the fetal monitor, but couldn't find a beat. They asked if the Doctor usually had difficulty finding it and I told them sometimes because of the way she was laying. They gave me drugs for the pain and called an ultrasound tech. I never saw the monitor or heard anything when the lady was looking, but I thought it was just the drugs messing with me. My sister was sobbing uncontrollably as the nurse told me my dear beautiful baby was gone. It didn't sink in at first. My daughter was finally born by c-section May 31, 2008 and weighed 8lbs. 2oz and was 20 1/2". She was so beautiful. How could my little girl, who was so healthy just the day before and was kicking me only minutes before I left to the hospital, have died so soon?
The answer was the GBS. It had passed over my fully intact membranes and got to her. Due to the last time I felt her and the time I was admitted the Doctor said she went very fast, probably within minutes of it getting to her. But how could this have happened? We had a plan. The antibiotics during delivery right? It sucks that there was nothing I could have done differently that would have saved her. Even going in sooner wouldn't have worked because of the timing of the contractions I would have been sent home. I hope by bringing more awareness to this problem maybe we can change the birthing plans and practices of those who test positive for GBS. If we know it can kill and cause disabilities it seems like we shouldn't have to wait to be in active labor before meds are used. Not only did the infection kill my little girl, it also started to get into my bloodstream and started my body shutting down, too. I had to stay in the hospital 5 days and be on antibiotics to kill the infection that was within me. I finally did get to see my little girl later that afternoon. She was so beautiful and looked at peace, but I will always wonder if I could have done anything differently to have saved her.
— Barbara Carbajal, WA, USA
I went home that night feeling confident. I knew what to do even though this was my first pregnancy. The next day, May 29th, my contractions started around 6:30 pm. No need to panic they were still 10 minutes apart and I only lived 3 miles from the hospital. So I sat and relaxed the best I could. I went to bed around 9:00 pm so I could get a little sleep since that is what the books say to do. Rest and relax because labor will take a lot out of you. I woke around 11:00 pm and my little girl was kicking like crazy. The contractions were getting stronger and closer. My excitement grew and I finished packing my bag and pacing the floor. I decided it was time--May 30th at 12:15am. I told my sister and we were off. We were at the hospital within 10 minutes. I couldn't wait. I thought, "Today I will be delivering a beautiful baby girl and I will finally be able to tell her I love her in person and hold her."
I got to the hospital and was admitted right away. The nurses were busy as there was a full house that night. They hooked up the fetal monitor, but couldn't find a beat. They asked if the Doctor usually had difficulty finding it and I told them sometimes because of the way she was laying. They gave me drugs for the pain and called an ultrasound tech. I never saw the monitor or heard anything when the lady was looking, but I thought it was just the drugs messing with me. My sister was sobbing uncontrollably as the nurse told me my dear beautiful baby was gone. It didn't sink in at first. My daughter was finally born by c-section May 31, 2008 and weighed 8lbs. 2oz and was 20 1/2". She was so beautiful. How could my little girl, who was so healthy just the day before and was kicking me only minutes before I left to the hospital, have died so soon?
The answer was the GBS. It had passed over my fully intact membranes and got to her. Due to the last time I felt her and the time I was admitted the Doctor said she went very fast, probably within minutes of it getting to her. But how could this have happened? We had a plan. The antibiotics during delivery right? It sucks that there was nothing I could have done differently that would have saved her. Even going in sooner wouldn't have worked because of the timing of the contractions I would have been sent home. I hope by bringing more awareness to this problem maybe we can change the birthing plans and practices of those who test positive for GBS. If we know it can kill and cause disabilities it seems like we shouldn't have to wait to be in active labor before meds are used. Not only did the infection kill my little girl, it also started to get into my bloodstream and started my body shutting down, too. I had to stay in the hospital 5 days and be on antibiotics to kill the infection that was within me. I finally did get to see my little girl later that afternoon. She was so beautiful and looked at peace, but I will always wonder if I could have done anything differently to have saved her.
— Barbara Carbajal, WA, USA
To learn more about Perinatal & GBS Misconceptions, click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of Preterm Labor, click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of GBS Infection, click HERE.
To learn more about Why Membranes Should NOT Be Stripped, click HERE.
To learn more about How to Help Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep (GBS), click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of Preterm Labor, click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of GBS Infection, click HERE.
To learn more about Why Membranes Should NOT Be Stripped, click HERE.
To learn more about How to Help Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep (GBS), click HERE.