Strepelle
Strepelle is a home-to-laboratory test for Group B Streptococcus (Group B Strep or GBS)
Did you know that up to 1 in 5 of all pregnant women will be carriers of Group B Strep in the birth canal and the bacterium can be passed during labour to their baby. One in five newborns who are infected with Group B Strep suffer from serious, life-changing illnesses such as meningitis, septicemia or pneumonia, which can have life-long effects such as brain damage, hearing loss and sight loss. One in ten babies with the infection will die from it.
In the UK 70 babies a year die from Group B Strep infection. The only way of knowing if a pregnant woman is carrying the bacterium is by having a laboratory test. The highly accurate Strepelle test will determine whether the pregnant woman is carrying the bacterium.
These are scary figures, especially for me as I was 36 weeks and expecting my 2nd child and I had never even heard of Group B Streptococcus until now, so I am hoping to spread this awareness to you. In the UK, pregnant women are not routinely offered testing for Group B Strep by the NHS.
The good news is that Strepelle are here to help us on our way to protect our little ones. The very simple sample-to-laboratory test, tests the bacterium which can be identified during a ladies pregnancy from 35 weeks allowing the expectant mother to be treated with antibiotics during labour which then will protect the baby from the risk of infection.
Strepelle was created in partnership with midwives and was launched at the recent Baby Show in London to great acclaim. It was designed to make laboratory testing for GBS more available and convenient, save babies lives, and prevent heart-breaking devastation in families.
What did I need to do to take the test?
Strepelle Group B Strep Test contains everything you need.
It includes:-
– 2 long cotton swabs
– 2 sterile tubes
– 1 help booklet
– 1 self-sealing free post envelope
– 1 text order form with 2 reference number.
Swab 1 -Vaginal Swab.
I took the first swab packet and peeled it gently open and took the swab out, making sure I did not touch the cotton end of the swab with my fingers. I held the it 5cm from the cotton swab, which is shown in the booklet provided very clearly what I needed to do, I carefully inserted it into to the lower part of my vagina and gently moved the swap in circular motions for 5-10 seconds then removed.
After taken the swab out, I slid it into the collection tube which contains a transport gel and pushed the cap firmly down to ensure the collection tube is securely sealed.
I then carefully peeled off the Reference Number self-adhesive label from the top of the Test Order Form and added it to my collection tube.
Swab 2 – Rectal SwabI took the second swab packet and peeled it open and took the swab out, making sure I did not touch cotton end of the swab with my fingers. I held it 1-2cm from the cotton swab, which once again is shown in the booklet provided, I inserted it carefully into my anus and leaving it in for 3-5 seconds then carefully removed.
After taken the swab out, I slid it into the collection tube which was the same as the other and contains a transport gel and pushed the cap firmly down to ensure the collection tube was securely sealed.
Finally I carefully peel off the Reference Number self-adhesive label from the top of the Test Order Form and add it to my collection tube.
Complete Order Form
Once both test swabs were packaged it into the Freepost return envelope I began to complete the form that came with this pack. This form was very easy to fill out making sure I used blocked capital letters. I needed to add my address, babies due date, my date of birth. There was also an option of how you would like to receive your Strepelle results. You can have by text, email or post. I opted to receive mine via text as this was the best option for me.
My Thoughts.
Doing this test was pretty easy to do, even being heavily pregnant. For all the idea of doing this test seemed daunting for me personally at first, I found it was not overly uncomfortable to do both tests, it only took a few minutes of my time and now that I am more aware of GBS I see this test very important for any expectant mother. Any female could be the 1 in 4 that is carrying the bacteria that could potentially harm their baby so I would recommend Strepelle Group B Strep Test to any expectant mother.
Incase you were wondering, my results came back and I am all clear and no fur. Just time for Baby Nemo to arrive.
Mummy E
Make sure you check out our giveaway page.
WE WAS SENT THIS ITEM TO REVIEW FREE OF CHARGE. OUR OPINIONS ARE IN NO WAY SWAYED BY THIS. ALL OUR REVIEWS ARE OUR HONEST THOUGHTS & FEELINGS.
This would be nice to have for my pregnant niece.
Fab spreading awareness of this! I didn’t even know about it when I was pregnant, found out I had it by chance and needed Antibiotics, so did my newborn
Well done on doing the test ,- it os imporyant to spread awareness