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ELLIE — USA Stillborn March 15, 2015 Prenatal-onset Mother's GBS Status: Tested negative Gestational Age: 4o weeks, 6 days Age harmed: 40 weeks, 6 days |
Our first daughter, Ellie Rose, was stillborn at 40 weeks, 6 days and the autopsy results revealed that she died of Group B Strep (likely sepsis and documented pneumonia). I was routinely tested at 35 weeks and was happy to hear the results were negative. So given this we were shocked at the autopsy results. Of course upon further research I learned that you can become positive at any time as this is a common colonizing bacteria.
I was overdue by 6 days and had undergone non stress tests twice during the week prior to her death (she passed both). Everything seemed fine except that I had passed my due date but everyone told me that this was common with your first baby. My last appointment was on a Friday in which she had a good strong heartbeat (I was scheduled to be induced the following Monday if she didn't come on her own over the weekend).
Unfortunately I noticed she wasn't moving on Sunday night and went in to the ER. No heartbeat could be found and ultrasound confirmed she had died. There were no obvious warning signs that she was sick until that day. She had passed two non stress tests the prior week and had a strong heart beat two days prior. Looking back I did get checked for dilation twice the prior week, once on Monday and once on Wednesday. Of note my last non stress test was on Wednesday. The vaginal check on Monday seemed somewhat aggressive as it was painful and I experienced bleeding afterward. Looking back on it, I think this could have been when the bacteria was able to pass through the membranes. My husband and I had sex frequently during that last week as I was told this could help put you into labor. However I wonder now if this allowed for my status to change and could have also contributed by pushing bacteria upward. I advocate now to friends to avoid unnecessary vaginal checks.
We fortunately were blessed with a second subsequent pregnancy that resulted in our second daughter Grace. I was monitored extremely closely with ultrasounds and NSTs as well as frequent urine cultures to ensure no bacteria. I received prophylactic antibiotics and was induced early. Grace was born healthy and GBS free.
— Jennifer McDermott, USA
Jennifer shares GBS info by telling their story.
I was overdue by 6 days and had undergone non stress tests twice during the week prior to her death (she passed both). Everything seemed fine except that I had passed my due date but everyone told me that this was common with your first baby. My last appointment was on a Friday in which she had a good strong heartbeat (I was scheduled to be induced the following Monday if she didn't come on her own over the weekend).
Unfortunately I noticed she wasn't moving on Sunday night and went in to the ER. No heartbeat could be found and ultrasound confirmed she had died. There were no obvious warning signs that she was sick until that day. She had passed two non stress tests the prior week and had a strong heart beat two days prior. Looking back I did get checked for dilation twice the prior week, once on Monday and once on Wednesday. Of note my last non stress test was on Wednesday. The vaginal check on Monday seemed somewhat aggressive as it was painful and I experienced bleeding afterward. Looking back on it, I think this could have been when the bacteria was able to pass through the membranes. My husband and I had sex frequently during that last week as I was told this could help put you into labor. However I wonder now if this allowed for my status to change and could have also contributed by pushing bacteria upward. I advocate now to friends to avoid unnecessary vaginal checks.
We fortunately were blessed with a second subsequent pregnancy that resulted in our second daughter Grace. I was monitored extremely closely with ultrasounds and NSTs as well as frequent urine cultures to ensure no bacteria. I received prophylactic antibiotics and was induced early. Grace was born healthy and GBS free.
— Jennifer McDermott, USA
Jennifer shares GBS info by telling their story.
