​I serve many clients who have pets and I have attended births where pets are present and I have some observations and thoughts about pets, labor and birth.

Full disclosure here: Cats have been part of my life from day one. I've been told that when I was brought home from the hospital after birth, our cat decided to sleep with me in my crib that day. So I may be a little biased about pets and infants.

I think dogs and cats know when Mom is pregnant. Cats and dogs have very sensitive noses, and can detect changes in odors and pheromones. While there aren't studies on pheromone changes during pregnancy, we do have research that hormonal changes can change body odor. I strongly believe our pets pick up on these changes. I have been at labors where I could tell that Mom was getting closer to birth because her pets wanted to be closer to her the nearer she got to birth. Even if pets aren't in the room with Mom for labor and birth, they will hear a baby crying, and will know there has been a change and that they are hearing someone new.

I encourage families to introduce pets to their newborn in the first hours after birth. Just as you would introduce your pet to a guest who comes into your home, you should introduce your pet to the new family member. I do recommend a supervised introduction so parents can help pets to stay calm when they meet baby. I also recommend continued  supervision when your pet and baby are together in the future. 

After baby is born, expect a few changes in your pet. If you have dogs, they may become very protective and guarding of your baby and may not be as welcoming to visitors as they used to be. With a little time, they will figure out that visitors are okay when a parent is around. Cats may want to sniff baby and that might be all they are interested in doing. Some cats might want to sleep where baby sleeps in the hopes of getting more attention.

Pets are family members too. Letting pets be part of your baby's journey will make life all the richer for both your little one and your pet.

What is GBS?
Group B Strep (GBS) is anaerobic bacteria that is usually found in the digestive tract. In 10-30% of pregnant women, it can colonize or grow in the vagina.

Why is GBS a concern during pregnancy?
Most women carrying GBS will have no symptoms. Carrying GBS is not harmful to you, but there is a small chance it can affect your baby around the time of birth.

How will I know if I have GBS?
GBS is detected by doing a vaginal swab and running a culture.  The recommendation is to test between 36 to 38 weeks gestation.

If I test positive for GBS, will I still have GBS when my baby is born?
GBS is transient so your status can change.  Up to 33% of women who test positive at 36 weeks may be negative at birth, and up to 10% of women who test negative at 36 weeks may be positive at birth. Without doing a rapid test (which is not the standard of care in the US), GBS status at the time of birth is unknown. For the clients I serve who test positive at 36 weeks, they have the option to repeat the test to see if their status has changed.  

What are the risks of GBS to my baby?
GBS can occasionally cause serious infection in newborns. Many babies come into contact with group B Strep during labor or around birth, and the vast majority will not become ill. Of Moms who test positive for GBS and choose not to have antibiotic treatment, up to 2% of babies born will develop a GBS infection. For Moms who test positive and choose to have antibiotic treatment, the risk of baby being infected drops down to .2 to .4%  If the GBS infection is not treated, babies can become seriously ill. With prompt treatment, most babies will make a full recovery, a small number of babies who are infected die. Early detection of GBS disease is vital so treatment can be started as soon as possible.

The two main types of GBS disease in newborns are:

• Early-onset GBS disease: Occurs within the first week of life and is more common. This is what GBS testing is focusing on preventing.
• Late-onset GBS Disease:Occurs 1 week to 3 months after birth and is less common.

How many babies die from early onset GBS disease?
Two to three babies (4 to 6%) out of 50 babies with early onset GBS disease will die.

What are the symptoms of early-onset GBS infection in newborns?

• Being floppy and unresponsive
• Grunting when breathing, or working hard to breathe when you look at their chest or tummy
• A high or low temperature
• Very fast or slow heart rate
• Very fast or slow breathing
• Crying and inconsolable

The overwhelming majority of babies with early-onset GBS disease are diagnosed within the first hour after birth, which indicates the baby was most likely infected before birth.

What is the treatment for GBS infection in babies?
The treatment for GBS infection in babies depends on the severity of the infection. Antibiotics are the main treatment for GBS infection. Antibiotics do not discriminate between strains of bacteria, so if you get IV antibiotics during labor, or your baby is given antibiotics after birth, I recommend taking probiotics to rebuild a healthy microbiome.

In Summary:
While the risk is low of a newborn getting a GBS infection, there is a risk and I want clients to be aware of that. I don't want any client to have a baby who gets GBS disease. I cannot provide antibiotic therapy, so if that is desired, we will work to transfer care for a hospital birth. I trust that clients are capable of weighing the risks and benefits and making the decision they are comfortable with and is best for their family. I will monitor baby for signs of GBS infection and make sure the client knows what to look for and how to access help if baby needs it.







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