Kate in the NICU

During the pregnancy I tested positive for group B streptococcus, which is a bacterium that causes life-threatening infections in newborns that can be passed to the baby as they are born. Normally the pregnant woman is given 4 hours of antibiotics during labor, but because mine went so fast I wasn't able to receive the medication I needed. So they took a blood culture from Kate when she was 4 hours old and found that she has an infection and so they admitted her to the NICU last night and started her on antibiotics. They took another blood culture last night and are watching to see if something grows on this culture like her first culture, and depending on these results that will determine how long she will have to stay in the NICU. She will definitely be here until Friday, maybe longer. In newborns, group B strep is the most common cause of sepsis (infection of the bloodstream) and meningitis (infection of the lining and fluid surrounding the brain) and a common cause of pneumonia. So far Kate is doing good and hope she continues to do so. We'll keep you updated on her progress.