My hubby and I were very happy to be expecting a baby boy due February 2005. I had insurance and selected a private obstetrician and private hospital in Cairns, North Queensland, Australia. My doctor expected a natural birth even though I had concerns due to the size of my pelvis. I was never tested for GBS and I had no idea what GBS was. I was induced for labour (as I was overdue by 5 days) and had a horrific time. After almost 30 hours of hell, Zach was stuck with his back into my spine. After failed epidurals and pleading with nursing staff, a doctor was called and I was quickly rushed in for a c-section as both Zach and my own health was at risk.
Zach was very exhausted along with me but we went home after 5 days. Zach was a very unsettled Bub, I tried my best to breastfeed and after 9/10 weeks of feeding I developed severe mastitis that required me to have antibiotics via injection every day. I was encouraged by doctors to keep feeding.
A week or so later Zach woke on the 14th of May 2005, with a strange cry and was in and out of sleep. As he was often unsettled nothing seemed of major concern yet I booked him into a weekend doctor appointment.. We saw a general practitioner a few hours later. He said his grunting may have been from constipation and recommended stool relief and paracetamol.
A few hours later he wasn't wanting to open his eyes (from light) and we noticed a small blotch on his skin. We wasted no time and rushed him to the closest public hospital where he was stripped back and what seemed like hundreds of doctors over him. The doctors treated him for meningitis sepsis but had no idea it was GBS late-onset until after he passed away. The amazing doctors did everything they could but the damage was too severe and Zach lost his fight 24 hours within first symptoms. If only we knew , if only the general practitioner could have recognized the symptoms.
We will never quite know how Zach got this; however my theories are either from my mastitis-infected milk or he had GBS from birth as he was stuck in my canal before the c section.
Thirteen years and many tears later, we now have an amazing little boy named Max who was born very safely via planned c-section in 2013. He was not fed breast milk due to my fears. I tested negative for GBS, but my amazing doctors still supported me and decided to give Max antibiotics to be on the safe side.
~ Rowena Weder, Australia
Rowena often tells pregnant women about GBS, but hopes not to frighten them at the same time
Zach was very exhausted along with me but we went home after 5 days. Zach was a very unsettled Bub, I tried my best to breastfeed and after 9/10 weeks of feeding I developed severe mastitis that required me to have antibiotics via injection every day. I was encouraged by doctors to keep feeding.
A week or so later Zach woke on the 14th of May 2005, with a strange cry and was in and out of sleep. As he was often unsettled nothing seemed of major concern yet I booked him into a weekend doctor appointment.. We saw a general practitioner a few hours later. He said his grunting may have been from constipation and recommended stool relief and paracetamol.
A few hours later he wasn't wanting to open his eyes (from light) and we noticed a small blotch on his skin. We wasted no time and rushed him to the closest public hospital where he was stripped back and what seemed like hundreds of doctors over him. The doctors treated him for meningitis sepsis but had no idea it was GBS late-onset until after he passed away. The amazing doctors did everything they could but the damage was too severe and Zach lost his fight 24 hours within first symptoms. If only we knew , if only the general practitioner could have recognized the symptoms.
We will never quite know how Zach got this; however my theories are either from my mastitis-infected milk or he had GBS from birth as he was stuck in my canal before the c section.
Thirteen years and many tears later, we now have an amazing little boy named Max who was born very safely via planned c-section in 2013. He was not fed breast milk due to my fears. I tested negative for GBS, but my amazing doctors still supported me and decided to give Max antibiotics to be on the safe side.
~ Rowena Weder, Australia
Rowena often tells pregnant women about GBS, but hopes not to frighten them at the same time
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.