MATHIS SAMUEL — USA
July 26, 2017 - March 31, 2018

Late-onset

Mother's GBS Status: Tested positive
Gestational Age: 29 weeks 6 days
Age Harmed: 23 days

Mathis Samuel was born at 29 weeks and 6 days due to premature rupture of membranes. He was baby A and was breach, his membranes ruptured but Twin B’s did not. They were born via emergency c-section as I was in active labor. Mathis was brought straight to the NICU and never had to be intubated. He received very little respiratory support and was fully off oxygen, drinking from a bottle and sleeping in an open crib when he became sick. At 22 days he had a sudden decline with an episode of tachycardia and respiratory failure. He was emergently intubated and life as we knew it was never the same. He was diagnosed with late onset GBS meningitis. He fought like the brave boy he was and was able to be extubated. He suffered extreme brain damage and we were told to expect the worst. Mathis was in and out of the NICU and PICU for the majority of his eight months here on earth. He was a fighter and had the sweetest disposition through all of the hardships his little body faced. He is our angel.

I tested positive for GBS at delivery and was never told. I had no idea what GBS was and I am still angry that it is not a more spoken about topic.

​- Kaleigh

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​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.