Read all the latest news on Group B Strep and updates from Group B Strep Support on our FaceBook page.
Harry’s story...
gbss.org.uk
Harry’s mum writes, “I would like to share our story about our little boy Harry who developed Strep B infection at just 17 days old. Wednesday 5th December 2018 and I was being induced at 37 weeks...How brave of Louisa to share her story to help prevent others going through the loss she has 💔
Heartbroken mother speaks out after baby died from a common infection
www.dailymail.co.uk
WARNING: DISTRESSING IMAGES. Louisa Harris and Liam Weekes, from Reading, lost their daughter August on June 8 2020 after she contracted bacterial infection group B strep.Friday Fact...Signs of #groupBStrep infection in babies can be subtle - download our poster & stick it on your fridge!
gbss.org.uk/product/free-poster-symptoms-of-group-b-strep-infection-in-babies/
#GBSaware
#FactFriday
Fact on Friday...All pregnant women should be provided with an information leaflet on group B Strep.
#GBSaware #groupBStrep gbss.org.uk/product/free-leaflet-group-b-strep-and-pregnancy/
#FactFriday
Do you...?Most group B Strep infections are preventable BUT would you recognise the signs of these infections in your baby?
Visit gbss.org.uk/info-support/group-b-strep-infection/group-b-strep-infection-in-babies-know-the-sympt... to find out more.
#groupBStrep #infection
Such a terribly sad interview 😢
Grieving parents call for group B strep screening
www.bbc.co.uk
A couple from Berkshire whose baby was stillborn are calling for pregnant women to be screened.Great advice from Laura...
Jacob Oscar - Group B Strep Support
gbss.org.uk
Mum Laura writes, “I’ve been following your page for 2 years after ‘This Morning’ interviewed Iwan Thomas about his experience with his son being diagnosed with late-onset Strep B infection. I...So what happens if you test positive...?
gbss.org.uk
Mum Zoe writes “I am a mum to three girls. My first 2 pregnancies I took the private home test for Strep B and tested Negative. I knew how important the test was and even with the negative tests bef...Can you help Group B Strep Support (GBSS)?Your story matters. If you feel knowing about #groupBStrep during pregnancy would have made a difference to your baby's GBS infection, we're listening.
Happy to talk to the media? Please fill in our form: gbss.org.uk/gbss-media/families-for-media/
#FridayFact 😢The rate of #groupBStrep infection babies in the UK has risen
gbss.org.uk/health-professionals-2/gbs-incidence/
#FactFriday
A media request from Group B Strep Support (GBSS) - can you help?Your story matters. If you feel knowing about #groupBStrep during pregnancy would have made a difference to your baby's GBS infection, we're listening.
Happy to talk to the media? Please fill in our form: gbss.org.uk/gbss-media/families-for-media/
So terribly sad, our thoughts are with little Archie’s family.
www.thesun.co.uk
TO this day, Dawn Powell blames herself for the death of her newborn son, at just four days old. Little Archie entered the world 16 minutes before his twin sister Evalene, on February 10 last year....July is Group B Strep Awareness month. Share a post - save a life....
Get your free test kit at GroupBStrepTest.co.uk
Please share to provide tests for GBS on the NHS... other countries do this - why can't we???Have you already signed this petition asking that women be offered testing for group B Strep carriage during pregnancy? If you haven't, please do.
And everyone, please tell others so they can sign the petition too: www.change.org/p/nhs-provide-tests-for-group-b-strep-to-prevent-any-more-avoidable-deaths-of-newb...
The US can do it... why can’t we???The US screen pregnant women for group B Strep. The UK rate of GBS infection is more than 2 times that of the US.
US Mum, Maria talks about her support for the introduction of a GBS screening program in the UK.
"I just want to let you know that you are doing the right thing to campaign for mandatory strep b test in pregnancy. I have never heard of this illness before. However, I gave birth in USA where strep b test is a standard of care. Right before labour I tested positive for strep b and was given antibiotics during labour. If I gave birth in the UK that wouldn't even be an option and I don't know how it would have turned out. I have a healthy son Benedic who was born 3 September 2018. Please continue to campaign. I can support you by spreading the message on Facebook and social media. Thank you."
#FridayFactIntravenous antibiotics given in labour to reduce the chance of a newborn developing group B Strep infection are given at intervals (usually 4-hourly), not continuously.
#GBSaware #groupBStrep gbss.org.uk/info-support/group-b-strep-testing/what-does-my-test-result-mean/
#FactFriday
Can you help?
Strep B Awareness Month 2020 - Group B Strep Support
gbss.org.uk
July is Strep B Awareness Month, an annual campaign to highlight the importance of Strep B awareness, education and research. During Strep B Awareness Month we aim to get as many people as possible in...Timeline PhotosIf group B Strep is found in a urine culture during your pregnancy, you should be offered IV antibiotics in labour and you'll usually also be treated with antibiotics at diagnosis.
Dipstick urine tests can't identify the presence (or absence) of group B Strep.
Listen to the wonderful Jane Plumb from GBSS.org.uk...
How to protect your baby from Group B Strep - Jane Plumb | The Parent Hood on acast
ow.ly
Group B Strep is the biggest cause of fatal infection in newborn babies, but it's possible to protect your baby from it. Marina talks to Jane Plumb who after her baby died from this infection, has ded...The signs of late onset GBS...Would you know the key signs of late-onset group B Strep infection (occurring in a baby's aged 7-90 days?
Read more at gbss.org.uk/info-support/group-b-strep-infection/group-b-strep-infection-in-babies-know-the-sympt...
I am finding that Royal Mail are taking a bit longer to deliver first class post due to the current situation. So our Group B Strep testing kits may take a little longer to reach you than normal.
PLEASE order your test kit in plenty of time and don't forget it a Bank Holiday on Monday so there will be no dispatch or deliveries 🙂
It is recommended to do the test between 35 - 37 weeks of pregnancy.
#gbstests #whyguesswhenyoucantest? #groupBStrep #GBSS
I am finding that, in some areas, Royal Mail are taking a bit longer to deliver first class post due to the current situation. So our Group B Strep testing kits may take a little longer to reach you than normal.
PLEASE order your test kit in plenty of time 🙂
It is recommended to do the test between 35 - 37 weeks of pregnancy.
#gbstests #whyguesswhenyoucantest? #groupBStrep #GBSS
Katrina's story...Mum Katrina writes, "I sort of heard of GBS at week 37, questioned it and was brushed off with ‘You’ve had one already it’s unlikely to be a problem!’
I was finally induced at 38 weeks and she arrived 38+4 days...it was perfect to be handed my baby straight away for skin to skin and not have her whisked away like my son. It felt so surreal to be left alone with my new baby girl!
The first night was a struggle. She wouldn’t settle except with me fussing on and off feeding...Mothers instinct kicked in and I didn’t think her eye movement and breathing was normal. I went for her newborn check where she finally settled and mentioned my concerns to be told ‘No newborns are like that, she’s fine and passed all tests!’ Not long later a male paediatrician came around and said his colleague wanted him to check her breathing...He said all looked fine. Within a minute after he left, she had a seizure right in front of me on the bed. I picked her up, her mouth was frothing and she went floppy! I managed to bring her around as my first aid kicked in, just as a student midwife appeared and took her. They said they wanted to take her to special care to be checked on... She had two further seizures within the next few hours or so!
She was put on three different antibiotics and I was questioned for all sorts! ...No one had any idea if she would survive. The doctors had no idea what to say to us at this point except ‘Wait...wait for the test results...’. She had three lumbar punctures, countless blood tests, oxygen, her brain activity monitored, three MRIs, as she didn’t take to the sedation medication.
She was classed as meningitis & sepsis, yet each lumbar puncture showed a high count, yet the result was always negative! Thank God she pulled through it all, slow at the start but then she showed how tough she was! Her MRI came back all clear the consultant didn’t believe it so it was sent to London to be looked at again by a specialist – again all clear."
#groupBStrep #GBSaware
Timeline PhotosGroup B Strep is not a sexually transmitted disease. Carrying group B Strep is normal - between 20-30% of adults do.
Find out more about group B Strep at gbss.org.uk/
Timeline PhotosIf concerned you or someone in your family may have #COVID19 please use the #NHS111 online page to check your symptoms.
They'll ask you a few simple questions first: 111.nhs.uk/covid-19/
Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection and pregnancy
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Guidance for healthcare professionals on Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in pregnancy, published by the RCOG, Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Public Health E...