09/08/08 Stats:
37 weeks and 5 days
Blood Pressure: 104/60
Weight gain so far: 12 pounds (no change since last appointment on 8/25/08)
Fetal Heartbeat: Good
Cervix Dilation: None
Group B Strep Infection (GBS): Positive

I am seeing my OB/GYN weekly now, as I am quickly approaching my due date. She did the usual checks, then revealed that I tested positive for the Group B Strep Infection (GBS). She assured me that it is quite common (between 15% – 40% of all healthy, adult women carry the bacteria), that it’s naturally occurring and comes and goes. She didn’t mention any of the possible effects to baby, but explained that testing positive will simply mean that when I am in labor, the hospital will give me antibiotics so that the GBS is not passed on to baby during the birthing process. She didn’t seem worried in the least and made it seem like no big deal.

I recall reading a thread on HawaiiMoms.com about GBS and decided to revisit the topic to learn more.

The antibiotics are administered through an IV during labor to prevent baby from contracting GBS. If baby does contract GBS, albeit rare (1 in 4000), there are some potential complications including breathing problems, heart and blood pressure instability, gastrointestinal and kidney problems, sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis. This is somewhat disconcerting, but just another matter for prayer in my opinion.

Aside from that bit of disappointing news, everything else checked out fine. I asked her about the possibility of inducing labor early due to my gestational diabetes and she said that she doesn’t believe that it will be necessary in my case. I’ve been managing my blood sugar relatively well, my blood pressure is good, I haven’t been gaining excessive weight (actually none since I’ve been on the low-carb diet), baby’s heartbeat is strong, and baby is very active in the womb. In fact, the doctor commented that she thinks that Baby Champuru may even come late — especially since my cervix is still completely closed. But, as she was quick to point out, a woman could be walking around 4 cm dilated for a couple of weeks before going into labor, whereas a woman whose cervix was closed the day before might find herself starting contractions the next day. So, basically, it’s all very unpredictable.

The doctor did a quick ultrasound to see the position of baby and confirmed that Baby Champuru’s head is pointing down and her butt is nestled in my right side. I’m glad to see at least she’s not breach.

The countdown continues — including the countdown to my last day of work, which is this Wednesday!