Hep lock v/s getting re-stuck

[MellieOham]

I tested positive for GBS in my urine a while back so I will need abx during labor. My midwife says early in labor I can come in & get a dose and then go home to let labor progress. They would put a hep lock in and I will need the abx re-administered every 4 hours. I can only imagine how annoying that hep lock would be during hard labor. Is is worse to just get re-stuck every 4 hours? Any experience?




***Update***
I spoke with our midwife today. Interesting result. Apparently the lab should have never reported me as positive because the concentration of GBS in my urine was below the threshold for what is considered a positive result. I will be getting re-tested at 36 weeks. They will do a swab test this time. If I am negative- then I am negative! There is hope!
I also asked about the hep lock/ vs getting restuck. She said they will do what ever I want.

[sammilynn]

A hep lock is 20x better then being constantly connected during labor. Trust me. I loved when they put my hep lock in for the first few hours only to change their mind and make me be connected until 6hrs postpartum.

[JJorn]

I had a hep lock with my second for the same reason. It wasn't bad and very nice that I didn't have to drag a pole around with me. I don't really recall any sort of discomfort from it.

[MellieOham]

The pole isn't an issue as in she won't do that to me. I am just debating whether I want that hep lock in and having to worry every time I get in the shower or birthing tub- i know they can wrap it, but I don't know that I want to have something else to bother with. We are doing a natural labor at a birthing center, and my midwife said she pretty much lets us labor alone if we want to and will monitor the baby every 30 minutes or so. Since they only administer the abx every 4 hours would getting re-stuck be that bad or will I be able to tune out the hep lock? I worry I won't.

[lindsay1p]

I would keep it in, not many people have enough good veins that you can get stuck every 4 hours successfully. Getting stuck every four hours may turn in to 3 sticks each time, especially when you may be dehydrated during labor.

[june]

I agree! Labor can be very dehydrating, and with everything else you have going on, my guess is that you will be able to tune out the minor discomfort of a hep lock. Remember: a good birthplan is for healthy mommy, healthy baby! I hope you have the labor you're envisioning, and if not, I hope that you find any adjustments in your birthplan to be decisions you are able to come to terms with fairly easily. These kiddos can really teach us a thing or two about being in control right from the get-go! Best of luck, Mama.

[MaryJane]

Can they give you antibiotic injections or does it have to be through an IV? I should know this but I don't. If they can do injections without the IV then that would be preferable to the saline lock, but a saline lock isn't usually painful or in the way if you make them put it somewhere it won't be annoying. If you have good veins then the side of the arm is usually out of the way. I wouldn't worry so much about dehydration if you are birthing with a midwife at a birth center since you won't have fluids and food restricted which is what causes dehydration in labor. Have you discussed alternatives to antibiotics? Some midwives will do hibiclens during labor as an alternative and it's a douche so no needles necessary.

[pumpkinpeejays]

Sorry about the diagnosis! That stinks. Getting stuck several times I think would be worse than having an indwelling device in your arm. I'd worry about afterwards with all the bruising associated with repeat venipuncture as opposed to one stick. Also, I honestly think it'll be the last thing on your mind while you are laboring and when you have your LO!

[MellieOham]

Thank you for all the replies Ladies! I have know about the diagnosis since 11 weeks. I hate it! I have been researching as much as I can because I hate the idea of having something stuck up under my skin. Then there are also the studies that have show significantly lower incidences of transmission to baby during water birth (which is the plan for us)- but if something goes wrong and I need to transfer I would hate to have declined the abx and have baby harmed. But then again if I am transfered, it would really only be in the case of serious emergency c-section- in which case the abx wouldn't matter. Ugg. I will chat with my midwife next visit and see how she feels about the whole thing.

[MaryJane]

Thank you for all the replies Ladies! I have know about the diagnosis since 11 weeks. I hate it! I have been researching as much as I can because I hate the idea of having something stuck up under my skin. Then there are also the studies that have show significantly lower incidences of transmission to baby during water birth (which is the plan for us)- but if something goes wrong and I need to transfer I would hate to have declined the abx and have baby harmed. But then again if I am transfered, it would really only be in the case of serious emergency c-section- in which case the abx wouldn't matter. Ugg. I will chat with my midwife next visit and see how she feels about the whole thing.

If your test was done at 11 weeks then you should ask to have another one done at 36 weeks. GBS is something that can come and go. In the meantime a regimen of garlic and echinacea could clear it up. You can also try garlic in the vagina. Wrapped in cheesecloth. Probiotics can help too. That's very unusual to be tested that early in pregnancy. And of course you can refuse the antibiotics too. If you are low risk (over 36 weeks, no prolonged rupture of membranes, and no fever during labor) then that is a valid option. There is also another antibiotic option that isn't as widely used as penicillin that doesn't have to be given as often, but has to be given earlier. Something else to look at maybe.

[MellieOham]

I didn't think to ask for a re-test. I recently switched providers- from OB to midwife- and both of them have been very nonchalant and matter of fact that I will be treated at labor. I will definitely ask if she will test me again. I have no idea why my OB tested me so early.

[JJorn]

I came up GBS positive at 9 weeks (in my urine, I guess but I was asymptomatic) and negative at 36 weeks. They still made me have the antibiotics and I was livid and fought about it. My OB was on my side but the hospital policy was not.

[babybluesash]

If your test was done at 11 weeks then you should ask to have another one done at 36 weeks. GBS is something that can come and go. In the meantime a regimen of garlic and echinacea could clear it up. You can also try garlic in the vagina. Wrapped in cheesecloth. Probiotics can help too. That's very unusual to be tested that early in pregnancy. And of course you can refuse the antibiotics too. If you are low risk (over 36 weeks, no prolonged rupture of membranes, and no fever during labor) then that is a valid option. There is also another antibiotic option that isn't as widely used as penicillin that doesn't have to be given as often, but has to be given earlier. Something else to look at maybe.

Love all the great advise, your awesome!!!

[MellieOham]

Update in original post!