Homebirth: Safe For Mom-To-Be With Group B Strep?
This is my sixth child and I would like to have a homebirth. However, I had Group B strep in two of my pregnancies. Is homebirth safe?
Question:Peg Plumbo CNM
Peg Plumbo has been a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) since 1976. She has assisted at over 1,000 births and currently teaches in the... Read more
Let me speak a moment from the medical mode. Group B Strep has great potential to cause severe morbidity and even mortality in the neonate. Despite appropriate testing and treatment, babies still may get very sick from this infection.
Under the care of a nurse-midwife or physician, antibiotics could be given in labor. I don't believe a nurse-midwifery homebirth practice would agree to a homebirth with a mother who has had beta strep and a lay/traditional midwife is not licensed to acquire or dispense medications.
If the birth you are planning is with a traditional midwife, then I do not believe it would be a good idea to attempt a homebirth. Your baby will need close observation and medication after birth. These babies can go down hill quite quickly.
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