So, my OB's office called this morning for two reasons. One, to check on my puffiness, which is pretty much fine. And two, to let me know that I tested positive for Group B Strep. This is a test that they do late in pregnancy to see if you've got a particular type of flora living in your rectum or vagina. Apparently somewhere between 10 and 40 percent of all women do. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. They don't classify the presence of this bacteria as infection, because it doesn't do any harm (at least not to healthy adults). Instead they say that you are "colonized." Great. I am colonized. More specifically, my bits are colonized. Nice.
Truly, it's not a big deal (they tell me), but I will need to be put on antibiotics when I go into labor, because there is a small chance that it could cause a serious infection in the baby. The antibiotics will essentially eliminate that risk. The hospital staff will, however, keep an eye on him after the birth to make sure that he is OK in that respect. The other thing is, when labor starts, I might not hang around at home as long some women might, because they'll want to set up my IV early on. So, all of it's dealable I guess. But still. Bleck.
The other "ick" is the Red Sox. Good lord, when I posted a few days ago, I never imagined it would get as bad as it has. So I guess I will, Katie, take on the Tigers as my second favorite team. Anyone but the Evil Empire. It's just too much to stomach!
Great...something new to worry about; bugs in my pooper and cooter! Glad your puffiness is going down. And woman! You are as crazy as I am with the remodeling projects! Yi yi yi! GL! Sorry about the Sox...I caught a little of that NY game the other day...ouch...
Posted by: Lynnette | August 21, 2006 at 05:16 PM
You know they don't even do the Strep B test in the UK as a matter of course? You have to do this sort of mail order test or something to get it done. I'd planned on doing that because I totally panicked when I read the stats, but when your baby is born at 36 weeks anyway you just have to hope you don't have it!
My understanding is that if you take the antibiotics that there is a tremendously slim chance anything would be passed to the baby. Add to the fact that even if the Strep B went untreated your baby would have a very small chance of being affected. Those two issues together mean you have nothing to worry about. There.
Wow. I can't believe you're almost ready to go!
Posted by: MsPrufrock | August 21, 2006 at 06:35 PM
I am in mourning over the Red Sox. And I am with you on now rooting for the Tigers.
Colonized, hee hee. There is a very slim chance that it could be passed to the babe, esp with antibiotics.
Posted by: stephanie | August 22, 2006 at 10:41 AM
Poor J was being tormented by my Dad in Fl (Dad is a Yankees fan). What can you do?
Sorry to hear about the colonization but good news the puffiness is okay.
Posted by: Lori | August 22, 2006 at 05:09 PM
'Colonization' makes it sound very busy down there. I'm glad to know that everything is being taken care of though.
I hate the Yankees.
Posted by: fisher queen | August 22, 2006 at 06:12 PM
I'm glad the puffiness is okay. Mine seems to be getting worse (and more uncomfortable) by the day!
It stinks that you're colonized, but probably good to know now rather than later. Can they give you oral antibiotics to take so that you don't have to go into L&D as soon as labor starts, or does it have to be IV?
Posted by: Nico | August 23, 2006 at 06:59 AM
Yeah, I think it has to be IV. Which kinda stinks, because I'm told that these things can come and go, but as long as you get the positive culture--that's it. You're on the IV soon after labor kicks in.
Posted by: pixi | August 23, 2006 at 09:52 AM
Dear Pixi, ugh. It's not nice to be colonized. The word "revolting" comes to mind -- as most colonized people will tell you!
Oh well. IVs are fairly benign, and it's good to know you're being monitored so closely. Not much longer now...!
Posted by: Kath | August 23, 2006 at 04:50 PM
Yeah, it would be nice if my cooter could stage an uprising. Wouldn't that be something?
Posted by: pixi | August 23, 2006 at 05:16 PM
Gee . . . sorry about the colonized bits! Good that it's not serious though.
Posted by: beagle | August 23, 2006 at 07:01 PM
"colonized" - eesh - what an expression! at least, it's manageable and something that the doctors/nurses can be proactive about. a very good thing.
Posted by: waiting line | August 24, 2006 at 04:14 PM
Colonized? How imperialist of those bacteria? Don't they know we're in the post-colonization era? Or supposed to be? Mm. Mm. Mm.
As for the Tigers! Yeah! I'm loving it, and all the while, Partner is getting sick of watching baseball. I'd say you're a natural to be a fan though, with this orange background on the blog...!
I can't believe how close it is for you now.
Posted by: Katie | August 27, 2006 at 11:53 AM