Do the Government save money by potentially risking babies lives/health?

butterflymum

zztopgirl wrote: »

The sooner they test all women for this the better, how many babies are needlessly dying and how many midwives and doctors have no knowledge of this? I know from the amount of pregnancy books and magazines ive read, there is very little or no information out there.

:T

ps

glad everything turned out well for you

butterflymum

Good to see the signatures on the petition increasing. Just a reminder though, once you have added your name, you will get an email from the Government petition site with a link to click and confirm. If you don't confirm, your signature won't be counted (check junk/spam folder etc as sometimes it ends up there by mistake).

Kazzajr

I hadn't heard of this until I was pregnant and had an infection, when they tested me they found I had GBS, the hospital were really good with me and gave me antibiotics when I was in labour.

If I hadn't had the infection I wouldn't have been tested though and it is scary to think of what could have happened.

I have been told that now I have tested positive for this it means I will automatically be given antibiotics during labour in any subsequent pregnancies.

Crispy_Ambulance

While Group B strep is potentially very serious, the test only picks up around 50% of carriers and there are other considerations, such as the long term implications of unnecessary antibiotics.

No woman HAS to have antibiotics and each woman should make an informed choice about that.

I don't think this is so much about the government saving money, as about there being doubt about the existence of clinical evidence for routine testing and antibiotics.

butterflymum

Crispy_Ambulance wrote: »

the test only picks up around 50% of carriers

If, as I think, you are talking about the standard (HVS) test which is the method usually offered by the NHS, then I believe there are known issues surrounding the type and method of same, so yes, it will only pick up about 50% of cases where it is present (due, in part, to the high proportion of false negative results returned).

There are other tests though, one being the Enriched Culture Medium which, I understand, is highly accurate for both positive and negative results (www.hpa-standardmethods.org.uk/documents/bsop/pdf/bsop58.pdf ). It is a test of this kind that should be offered within the NHS.

Yes, I agree, all women should make an informed choice about having antibiotics during birth, the problem is, unfortunately, women in many instances are still not being given access to appropriate and timely information to make those choices. Many leaflets about potential risks, infections, health issues etc., are given out during ante-natal visits, but unfortunately, ones on GBS are not usually included within these, thus taking away informed choice.


Even the RCOG have said there are gaps in the evidence base on which strategies should be used to identify women for treatment during birth and that research should be done. This again would cost money, so money is an issue. Local protocols need to be up to date and consisitent as does staff knowledge, again there are money factors in implementing this.

Anneliese13

I've already signed it. During my last pregnancy I was "lucky" in that I had slight symptoms and was tested for GBS and treated in labour.

Having said that, I wasn't actually told the results of the test by either my G.P or hospital consultant - I had to ask for them to be chased up! Incredible when you think how dangerous it is and how simple it is to prevent a tragedy :mad:

butterflymum

Glad you felt it worthwhile signing anneliese13. Thanks to anyone else who has also signed but not posted to say so.

butterflymum

Kazzajar

Thanks for sharing. It may be helpful for you to visit the GBSS website then on right hand side scroll down to and click on FAQ. From here, scroll down to and click on Question 9. It is important to realise that whilst your previous positive result in pregnancy may be considered as an increased risk factor, it may not in itself mean you need antibiotics next time around. Do read the section and, if/when appropriate, discuss with your midwife etc.

butterflymum

Good to see the signature numbers rising.

butterflymum

Anneliese13 wrote: »

I've already signed it. During my last pregnancy I was "lucky" in that I had slight symptoms and was tested for GBS and treated in labour.

Having said that, I wasn't actually told the results of the test by either my G.P or hospital consultant - I had to ask for them to be chased up! Incredible when you think how dangerous it is and how simple it is to prevent a tragedy :mad:

Yes, unfortunately this does still happen. Glad that you had the sense to follow through yourself, though, and that things turned out well.