|
JORDAN — USA
Born February 8, 2021 Late-onset Mother's GBS Status: Tested positive Gestational Age: 37 weeks Age Harmed: 5 weeks |
I tested positive for GBS at 36 weeks with a vaginal and anal swab. I was induced at 37 weeks for blood pressure issues. All the providers at the hospital knew I was GBS positive. I had an IV placed on arrival to the hospital for fluids, no IV meds given yet. An hour after that, they placed Cervidil which stayed in for 12 hours. It was taken out at 12 hours and Pitocin was started around 2 hours later. Still no IV meds started for GBS.
My labor progressed fairly quick and by the time I was ready to start pushing they told me it was too late to give me IV medication for the GBS, even though I had asked them to check me multiple times prior to this as I felt ready to start pushing. My midwife, the nurses, and the hospital pediatrician were all in the room and agreed to this. They were all aware I was left untreated.
I had my son and we went home three days later. No testing or precautions were done on him to insure he was not infected. I am not sure if he was infected with GBS during labor or by my breast milk or doing skin to skin with me etc., and I am unsure when he became infected.
We caught the infection when he was 5 weeks old and by then it had already progressed to Sepsis, Meningitis, and severe Anemia that he needed a few blood transfusions for. We spent two weeks in a children’s hospital where he suffered countless IV’s, a feeding tube in his nose, two lumbar punctures where he was stuck three times each, a catheter, several sticks for lab work, and x-rays. He still suffered from Anemia months after this and had needed several more blood transfusions because the infection did such a number on his body.
He is six months now and just got normal lab work last month for the first time since he got sick! So no more lab work and transfusions thankfully. We’re so happy he’s healthy now!
– Lacie Armstrong
I try to inform other mothers in moms' groups now
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.