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ELLA ROSE— CANADA
Stillborn May 27, 2018 Prenatal-onset Mother's GBS Status:Tested positive Gestational Age: Full term Age Harmed: In utero 39-40 weeks |
There were no complications during my pregnancy with Ella, except for testing positive for Group B Strep at 35 weeks gestation. I remember asking my doctor about the risk, and it really felt downplayed. I was assured that with antibiotics during labor, everything would be fine. I read a couple discussion boards online, but most moms agreed that there was nothing to worry about as long as I received antibiotics once my water broke.
Being blissfully naive, I believed my doctor and went ahead with membrane sweeps at 39 and 40 weeks to try to induce labour. My previous pregnancy with living son, who was 3 at the time, required induction, and I really did not want to go through that again. I was trying my best to induce labour, and at 40+2, my water broke at home. It wasn’t nice and clear, however, it was brown and full of meconium.
We rushed to the hospital where they slowly admitted me and started me on antibiotics (it took over an hour for this to happen). Ella’s heart rate was very high: 180-190 bpm. At one point it dropped but they managed to recover it. After the epidural was administered and the catheter was inserted, her heart rate began to quickly drop. I was rushed in for an emergency C-section, but the anesthetist was busy with another patient. I waited on the table for 15 minutes and felt my daughter's last kicks.
It still gives me goosebumps and brings me to tears thinking of how much pain she must have been in. Ella Rose died in my belly on the operating table three hours after my water broke, as confirmed by an ultrasound. I elected to be completely knocked out while they performed the C section to remove her from me. I was in complete shock and could not bring myself to hold her or take any pictures (HUGE regret). The autopsy later confirmed that she had been infected with GBS prior to birth, most likely due to a membrane sweep. I will always feel guilty for not doing my homework on GBS and not taking any precautions to ensure her safe delivery. I wish this was something taken more seriously by OBs.
- Janice Gaspar
Janice spreads GBS awareness through her story and tells other pregnant mothers either in person or in online discussion boards.
Being blissfully naive, I believed my doctor and went ahead with membrane sweeps at 39 and 40 weeks to try to induce labour. My previous pregnancy with living son, who was 3 at the time, required induction, and I really did not want to go through that again. I was trying my best to induce labour, and at 40+2, my water broke at home. It wasn’t nice and clear, however, it was brown and full of meconium.
We rushed to the hospital where they slowly admitted me and started me on antibiotics (it took over an hour for this to happen). Ella’s heart rate was very high: 180-190 bpm. At one point it dropped but they managed to recover it. After the epidural was administered and the catheter was inserted, her heart rate began to quickly drop. I was rushed in for an emergency C-section, but the anesthetist was busy with another patient. I waited on the table for 15 minutes and felt my daughter's last kicks.
It still gives me goosebumps and brings me to tears thinking of how much pain she must have been in. Ella Rose died in my belly on the operating table three hours after my water broke, as confirmed by an ultrasound. I elected to be completely knocked out while they performed the C section to remove her from me. I was in complete shock and could not bring myself to hold her or take any pictures (HUGE regret). The autopsy later confirmed that she had been infected with GBS prior to birth, most likely due to a membrane sweep. I will always feel guilty for not doing my homework on GBS and not taking any precautions to ensure her safe delivery. I wish this was something taken more seriously by OBs.
- Janice Gaspar
Janice spreads GBS awareness through her story and tells other pregnant mothers either in person or in online discussion boards.
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.