checking for dilation

GD - is done for everyone in the 3rd trimester

Strep B - usually around 34-36 weeks, this is to give them enough time to get it back from the lab before you go into labour, theoretically of course! You do the swab test yourself, it's very easy. I tested positive for Strep B with my #3 baby and had ABs when in labour (my waters were trickling); I still had strep B at the birth but baby was not affected at all. (PS being a female predisposes you to strep B.)

Dilation - with your first baby you shouldn't dilate until you are in labour. With subsequent, any dilation would be minor anyway. It is certainly not routine to have an internal to check for dilation until you are in labour; then fairly common but still not always necessary. Depends how long your labour is going on for - if it's going on for ages, you'll be glad for one to find out where you're up to!!

I have had stretch and sweeps in the couple of days before I was due, due to waters leaking or whatever. The option was over to me though.

My MW said it was my choice to have the Strep B thingy She gave me info on it and stuff, I declined it, but its up to you.

I had my first internal done when I was 1 week over due and had a stretch and sweep, I was tightly closed, not dilated at all! Then my next internal was when I was in labour to check for dilation. I had many over the course of the 40 odd hours I was in labour as they had to keep a close eye on how I was dilating(cos I wasnt really).

I had antibiotics aswell in labour as my waters had been broken for over 12 hours and I wasnt progressing.

I didn't have an internal until the day before Madam was born. I had a usual appointment that day and told my midwife that I thought I was starting labour so she said lets do a swab now. She didn't check for dilation that I know of, but maybe she did.
This time around (I'm 33 weeks now) I had an urine test at 28 weeks and midwife told me I had step B so she gave me some antibiotics for it then. She did say that she will still give me a jab for it once labour starts as it may have come back by then.

When I was tested mine was done thru swabs also & the antibiotics were administered thru IV line in my hand once My labuors started...

 

Might be different in different parts of NZ????

Confirmed with my midwife y'day that I did have strep b in my urine which can be treated while pregnant with antibiotics.
Of course it doesn't mean it is in my vagina but with the female body designed the way it is, it is quite likely present there as well. So to be safe she is going to treat me for strep b when I go into labour.

nzpiper wrote: how do you test yourself?

From what Ive read you just just take a swap yourself by using something like cotton bud thingy and run it around down there and then they test it to see if you have step b

Exactly what cuppatea said.....although I was quite shocked when I was told to do it myself. In the past whenever I have needed a swab done the doctor, nurse, midwife has done it. I personally think that a pregnant women should not be poking those long things up her woohoo.

SJD - I am still VERY surprised by your midwifes response. Strep B is not tested via urine, it is by swab.
However, I am not a professional/midwife, but have searched the topic since being found positive, and not once have I seen it being tested via urine. I also queried this once before with my midwife, and also a friend whos a midwife, and both said no, its definately a swab.
But like I said, I'm not medical person....I guess you go along with what your comfortable with. At least you know you tested positive and a safety plan is now in place for when you go into labour. Be aware that you need the antibiotics in other situations too, like if your waters break you need it immediately, not just when labour starts. You would have been given an information booklet about Strep B when you tested positive so it will all be in there.

For anyone who's been tested positive then yes When your waters break your meant to have the anibiotics as soon as possible coz then bubs is vulnerable to catching anything that maybe hanging out up there.