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GWYNETH — USA
Stillborn September 9, 2015 Prenatal-onset Mother's GBS Status: Tested positive Gestational Age: 40 weeks 1 day Age harmed: 40 weeks in utero |
I gave birth to my first baby in December of 2013. By the time she was 3 months old, my husband and I already knew that we wanted to have another baby soon so she would have a sibling to grow up with. When my daughter turned 1, we were able to get pregnant again on the first try! We were very happy and everything was going as planned. The pregnancy was a breeze compared to my first. I didn't gain too much weight, no swelling, and very little fatigue. My only pregnancy issue was recurring vaginal discomfort and burning during the 3rd trimester. When I mentioned this to my doctor, she instructed me to take otc (over-the-counter) yeast infection medication, no swab/test and despite having no tell-tale discharge. The yeast medication was extremely painful and did not resolve the issue. It resolved on its own about 2 weeks later.
At 37 weeks, I received positive test results for my Group B Strep swab. Having been negative for my first daughter, I had no idea what GBS was or how fatal it could be. When my doctor told me I would need to get IV antibiotics at delivery, I was upset and did not want to wreck my gut bacteria and ruin my baby's microbiome which could set her up for many allergies and digestive illnesses in her future. Over the next 3 weeks, I did much research on the necessity of antibiotics for GBS. I looked at the rate of transmission during vaginal birth and spoke to other doctors to get second opinions on risks vs. benefits of receiving antibiotics during delivery. I never ONCE read or was told my baby could die from GBS even before giving birth. Nevertheless, my research told me it WAS serious enough for me to decide that when labor comes, I would take the antibiotics and then work hard with probiotics, diet, and lifestyle to rebuild my and my new baby's good bacteria.
Sadly, I never got to that point. I had an appointment with a forceful cervical exam 4 days before my due date. For the next few days I had cramping and strong braxton hicks contractions, along with frenzied movements from my baby. I truly believed I was in the early stages of labor and didn't know anything was wrong. But on my due date, I woke up to feeling no movement from my baby and all contractions had stopped. I went to my scheduled doctors appointment, feeling like something was wrong, but never imagining that she died. When no fetal heartbeat was detected on my ultrasound, my life was changed irrevocably.
I was induced and gave birth to my stillborn daughter, Gwyneth Ann Hernandez, the following day on September 9, 2015. My water had to be broken at the hospital. I still don't know how I got through her birth. I remember telling myself "This is all a big mistake and once she's handed to me, I'll hear her cry and all will be OK." But she never did cry. The only unrecognizable animal-like cries came from my own mouth. Her autopsy would later determine she died from Group B Strep pneumonia of the lungs - Prenatal Onset Group B Strep Disease. Despite Gwyneth's sealed eyes, bruised face, bright red lips and spatters of blood, I thought she was so beautiful.
After Gwyneth's death, I was thrown into the world of stillbirth and deaths from Group B Strep. I'm still met with disbelief 9 years later, when people, even medical workers, hear her Prenatal Onset Disease story. They all tell me "it isn't possible for GBS to affect a baby before birth." I've learned that what happened to Gwyneth is not rare, it's just not spoken about and there is very little education given to doctors and subsequently pregnant women regarding this type of GBS. I firmly believe that if my doctor had investigated my "yeast infection" she would have seen that that was incorrect and could have determined how high my level of GBS was at that time by testing my urine. If I knew what I know now about the transmission of GBS I would not have allowed a cervical exam or membrane stripping, would not have had intercourse from 37 weeks forward, and would have eaten high dose probiotics and eliminated sugary and processed food from my diet that can feed bacteria.
I'm very fortunate to have gone on to have 4 additional living, healthy children while still being GBS + with the knowledge I have gained from Group B Strep International. I pray that one day I will be reunited with Gwyneth. Until then, in addition to loving and missing her every day, I will live trying to prevent GBS from taking other babies' lives and being the best mother and person I can be.
-Ashley Hernandez
Since my daughter's death 9 years ago, I have consistently spoken up to educate friends, strangers, and healthcare workers on my story and the existence of Prenatal Onset GBS Disease, which is not known by many individuals, including medical professionals. I frequently share GBS International's social media posts on how to protect your baby from GBS in utero.
At 37 weeks, I received positive test results for my Group B Strep swab. Having been negative for my first daughter, I had no idea what GBS was or how fatal it could be. When my doctor told me I would need to get IV antibiotics at delivery, I was upset and did not want to wreck my gut bacteria and ruin my baby's microbiome which could set her up for many allergies and digestive illnesses in her future. Over the next 3 weeks, I did much research on the necessity of antibiotics for GBS. I looked at the rate of transmission during vaginal birth and spoke to other doctors to get second opinions on risks vs. benefits of receiving antibiotics during delivery. I never ONCE read or was told my baby could die from GBS even before giving birth. Nevertheless, my research told me it WAS serious enough for me to decide that when labor comes, I would take the antibiotics and then work hard with probiotics, diet, and lifestyle to rebuild my and my new baby's good bacteria.
Sadly, I never got to that point. I had an appointment with a forceful cervical exam 4 days before my due date. For the next few days I had cramping and strong braxton hicks contractions, along with frenzied movements from my baby. I truly believed I was in the early stages of labor and didn't know anything was wrong. But on my due date, I woke up to feeling no movement from my baby and all contractions had stopped. I went to my scheduled doctors appointment, feeling like something was wrong, but never imagining that she died. When no fetal heartbeat was detected on my ultrasound, my life was changed irrevocably.
I was induced and gave birth to my stillborn daughter, Gwyneth Ann Hernandez, the following day on September 9, 2015. My water had to be broken at the hospital. I still don't know how I got through her birth. I remember telling myself "This is all a big mistake and once she's handed to me, I'll hear her cry and all will be OK." But she never did cry. The only unrecognizable animal-like cries came from my own mouth. Her autopsy would later determine she died from Group B Strep pneumonia of the lungs - Prenatal Onset Group B Strep Disease. Despite Gwyneth's sealed eyes, bruised face, bright red lips and spatters of blood, I thought she was so beautiful.
After Gwyneth's death, I was thrown into the world of stillbirth and deaths from Group B Strep. I'm still met with disbelief 9 years later, when people, even medical workers, hear her Prenatal Onset Disease story. They all tell me "it isn't possible for GBS to affect a baby before birth." I've learned that what happened to Gwyneth is not rare, it's just not spoken about and there is very little education given to doctors and subsequently pregnant women regarding this type of GBS. I firmly believe that if my doctor had investigated my "yeast infection" she would have seen that that was incorrect and could have determined how high my level of GBS was at that time by testing my urine. If I knew what I know now about the transmission of GBS I would not have allowed a cervical exam or membrane stripping, would not have had intercourse from 37 weeks forward, and would have eaten high dose probiotics and eliminated sugary and processed food from my diet that can feed bacteria.
I'm very fortunate to have gone on to have 4 additional living, healthy children while still being GBS + with the knowledge I have gained from Group B Strep International. I pray that one day I will be reunited with Gwyneth. Until then, in addition to loving and missing her every day, I will live trying to prevent GBS from taking other babies' lives and being the best mother and person I can be.
-Ashley Hernandez
Since my daughter's death 9 years ago, I have consistently spoken up to educate friends, strangers, and healthcare workers on my story and the existence of Prenatal Onset GBS Disease, which is not known by many individuals, including medical professionals. I frequently share GBS International's social media posts on how to protect your baby from GBS in utero.
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.