Group B Strep Test

According to an NHS page last updated in 2009, this test is still not offered in the UK.  Assuming this hasn't changed between then and now, I would really like to get tested for this privately.  Can anyone tell me how they went about this?  I know there are companies that you can use via mail, but would they even treat me with antibiotics during delivery with a result from a mail-order company?  If I found a private GP who did this test, would the hospital then take those results into consideration? 

Also, if anyone went private for this, were you able to have the ECM test done (as opposed to the high vaginal test which is only 50 percent accurate for negative results)?

Here's what Mumstuff has to say:
http://www.mumstuff.co.uk/acatalog/Group-B-Streptococcus-Screening-Test-Kit.html

It looks like it's under £35, although it's not clear which type of test it is. Hope that helps!

Here's what Mumstuff has to say:
http://www.mumstuff.co.uk/acatalog/Group-B-Streptococcus-Screening-Test-Kit.html

It looks like it's under £35, although it's not clear which type of test it is. Hope that helps!

Thanks, Jennie!  Just looked and that test is the more extensive one that I was talking about.  It seems easy enough--just not sure if my midwife/GP or the hospital would do anything if I had a positive result from a sample I sent off myself...I know sometimes the NHS can be weird about treating you for something they didn't diagnose!

Is says you can ask your GP to do the swab, so maybe that would help them think of it as important? Good luck.

I was told (in 2008) that if I had it done privately they would not take the results with the NHS. So, if I tested positive, they wouldn't give me any antibiotics because they didn't do the test themselves. But, they flat out won't do the test themselves because the rate of a positive result is so low. And then I am pretty sure there were some comments about me being an overly concerned American, but that's neither here nor there 

I was told (in 2008) that if I had it done privately they would not take the results with the NHS. So, if I tested positive, they wouldn't give me any antibiotics because they didn't do the test themselves. But, they flat out won't do the test themselves because the rate of a positive result is so low. And then I am pretty sure there were some comments about me being an overly concerned American, but that's neither here nor there 

Yikes! I am seeing my GP on Thursday and then my midwife two weeks after that so plan to ask both about this...perhaps I need to arm my British husband with all of this info and have him be the voice of persistence.  In all honesty, I would most likely lose it to the point of giving all Americans a bad name if I had a positive result and they refused to treat me during labor.

Oh man, I am so not clued in.  I didn't even realize this was an issue.  One more thing to add to my magical little book of questions to ask at my next appointment.  This whole process is so lonely and confusing for me.  I have loads of pregnant and parent friends in the US, so I keep living in this quasi-US headspace.  Not good.
 

Saying that I actually had a friend from my NCT group who had group B strep and had antibiotics during labor, so I am not sure how they found out she did? She knew before she went into labor too. I vaguely remember she was in hospital before she had her baby for something else (pregnancy related) and they did the test and knew. So it isn't a situation of they never, ever test, but it isn't a routine test they give to everyone. Or, as I found out, even those of us who ask for it.

I had a friend who gave birth at an NHS hospital that tested positive for Strep B through a private company and was treated during labor with antibiotics.  This was at a large London hospital.  So it does happen.  I'd ask your midwife and if it something you are worried about....DON'T be afraid to get pushy.  It can be really serious if not treated properly.

Saying that I actually had a friend from my NCT group who had group B strep and had antibiotics during labor, so I am not sure how they found out she did? She knew before she went into labor too.

I am due tomorrow (Oh. My. Gosh.) and I know that I have Group B strep and will be getting antibiotics, etc. It wasn't something that I pressed for but I was already going to a few extra appointments because my BMI was too low when I conceived--I'm sure this is no longer a problem . They actually found it in a wee test, I didn't know they were testing for it so you can imagine my surprise when they called to say I had it!

That said, the trainee-teacher at my NCT class asked to be tested for Group B when she was pregnant because her SIL had a sick baby and they gave her the test on the NHS. It may just be worth asking your GP or midwife, testing seems to be very variable.

Before you go out and pay for a private test, I'd recommend asking your Midwife and / or your GP first. 

I believe if you have a family history of this or concern from a previous pregnancy the NHS should do the test.  Otherwise, if you're just simply wanting to have the test done 'just because' you would most likely have to go private.  Your Midwife should be able to give you further information on this.  I remember from going to the Hospital for my OBs appointments they always had Strep-B adverts for private screening on the loo doors, unfortunately I can't remember who they recommended going with.

Good luck! 

How they respond is different from trust to trust.  I got different answers with both of my babies and had moved between them.  I say push if you want it, especially if you can go private and it is affordable.  I have a close friend who's baby died because of group b strep and she nearly died as well, so yeah, I have real issues with them saying it isn't cost effective to take such a simple test.

Thank you everyone for all of the info/stories of yours or others' experiences!

I phoned my midwife today to have a chat about my concerns and she was helpful (though I got the feeling I was more knowledgeable about this than she was).  She said while they do not routinely screen for this, she seemed to think I could request that my GP test for this via swab/urine sample (though I suspect she is referring to the HVS version of the test rather than ECM, so I would still go private if the ECM test was not done, as it is nearly 50 percent more accurate!).  I have to see my GP on Thursday for a routine pregnancy visit so I plan to ask about this then.

I also mentioned that I was considering going private to ensure I had the ECM test between 35 and 37 weeks and she felt that as long as I had those results, the hospital would accept them and treat me based on those.   I still plan to confirm this with the labour unit at the hospital beforehand just to make sure. 

The most interesting piece of information she provided was that they are just now rewriting the guidelines at the hospital where I am set to give birth. She said that the policy from now on will be that first time mothers who have tested positive will be treated with IV antibiotics during labour, full stop. I am guessing the previous policy for first time mothers was to only administer IV antibiotics if there were other risk factors involved (like pre-term labour, etc).  It's reassuring to know they have changed their policy--I find it pretty shocking that they previously wouldn't treat all positive test results with IV antibiotics!

0phinky: I feel you on the loneliness and confusion of having a baby over here without knowing any pregnant women or parents in the UK! Feel free to send me a message if you ever want to chat and trade information!

missjoules: Good luck!!

How they respond is different from trust to trust.  I got different answers with both of my babies and had moved between them.  I say push if you want it, especially if you can go private and it is affordable.  I have a close friend who's baby died because of group b strep and she nearly died as well, so yeah, I have real issues with them saying it isn't cost effective to take such a simple test.

How horrible for your friend! I really think their policy on this is all wrong, especially if you look at how many countries test everyone (US, Canada, Spain, Italy, Australia, etc).  When I spoke to my midwife, she claimed the reason they don't test for this is because it can come and go and the results would never be accurate but I don't buy it--they say results are usually pretty accurate within a 5 week window, so testing between 35 and 37 weeks makes so much more sense than not testing at all!

How they respond is different from trust to trust.  I got different answers with both of my babies and had moved between them.  I say push if you want it, especially if you can go private and it is affordable.  I have a close friend who's baby died because of group b strep and she nearly died as well, so yeah, I have real issues with them saying it isn't cost effective to take such a simple test.

I agree.  My baby nearly died because of group b strep too.