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NORTH — USA
Born August 15, 1994 Prenatal-onset Mother's GBS Status: Not tested Gestational Age: 32 weeks Age harmed: Born premature at 32nd week of pregnancy |
My first son was born at 32 weeks in 1994. I had premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and a very short labor - only 45 minutes. At the time, the OB kept telling us there was "no reason" for his premature birth. We kept asking and she kept saying "Sometimes these things just happen." He spent 10 days in NICU.
Sixteen months later when I was pregnant with my second son, I changed OB doctors. The first time I met with the CNM in the new OB's office, at only 8 weeks pregnant, she asked if she should do a GBS test because GBS can cause PROM. She told me that GBS was the likely cause of my older son's PROM. The test was positive. The OB decided to treat me with 10 days of oral antibiotics then re-test. The re-test was negative, but to be extra sure, she ordered IV antibiotics during his birth. My second and third sons were born just before their due dates, healthy, with no disabilities.
I am so upset at how casually the first OB handled the PROM. She was very cavalier and acted like I was crazy to keep asking for a reason. She didn't mention GBS. I know now that a simple test could have saved my oldest son from a lifetime of developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, delays and speech problems. He is 13 now and doing amazingly well under the circumstances, but he will always have it harder than his brothers because he didn't have the last 2 months of gestation to finish brain development. His natural intelligence carries him a long way, but what might take a "level 5" effort for other kids takes a "level 10" effort for him to overcome his disabilities.
He has also had intensive occupational, physical, and speech therapy since he was 5 which has helped him greatly. I'm not complaining about the cost, but it has cost us a small fortune (none of it covered by insurance) that could have been put towards his college fund if the first OB had just done a GBS test early.
I now tell all pregnant friends to ask their OB for a GBS test early, and, if the doctor acts like it's no big deal, to find another doctor who takes GBS seriously.
— Paige Maston, OH, USA
North's mother spreads the word about GBS.
Sixteen months later when I was pregnant with my second son, I changed OB doctors. The first time I met with the CNM in the new OB's office, at only 8 weeks pregnant, she asked if she should do a GBS test because GBS can cause PROM. She told me that GBS was the likely cause of my older son's PROM. The test was positive. The OB decided to treat me with 10 days of oral antibiotics then re-test. The re-test was negative, but to be extra sure, she ordered IV antibiotics during his birth. My second and third sons were born just before their due dates, healthy, with no disabilities.
I am so upset at how casually the first OB handled the PROM. She was very cavalier and acted like I was crazy to keep asking for a reason. She didn't mention GBS. I know now that a simple test could have saved my oldest son from a lifetime of developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, delays and speech problems. He is 13 now and doing amazingly well under the circumstances, but he will always have it harder than his brothers because he didn't have the last 2 months of gestation to finish brain development. His natural intelligence carries him a long way, but what might take a "level 5" effort for other kids takes a "level 10" effort for him to overcome his disabilities.
He has also had intensive occupational, physical, and speech therapy since he was 5 which has helped him greatly. I'm not complaining about the cost, but it has cost us a small fortune (none of it covered by insurance) that could have been put towards his college fund if the first OB had just done a GBS test early.
I now tell all pregnant friends to ask their OB for a GBS test early, and, if the doctor acts like it's no big deal, to find another doctor who takes GBS seriously.
— Paige Maston, OH, USA
North's mother spreads the word about GBS.
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.