All that Glitters

Hello Three years ago, we prematurely welcomed our beautiful baby boy Toby. Although he was 6 weeks early and tiny…. We could tell he was a little fighter. As soon as he was born doctors realised that Toby was struggling to fight an infection and he was whisked straight off to the Neonatal Unit. Hours went by, when we finally received the news all parents dread hearing. He was suffering from Sepsis, Bacterial Meningitis and Pneumonia, all stemming from a Group B Strep infection he had contracted from me. The next 12 hours are a haze of Lumber punctures, breathing machines and continuous blood testing…. All of this for a little baby that was not even 24hrs old. This could all be prevented…. Through simple Testing and treatment of Antibiotics at the start of Labour, however as a Nation we do not routinely test women in Pregnancy. Even though the test costs the NHS just £11.00 per person….. only £2.00 more than a standard prescription. We were lucky…. Our little boy is here today….. still fighting his battles, but here non the less. Many, Many others are not so fortunate. 1 in 10 babies infected with GBS will die. Half of the babies who developed GBS meningitis will be left with some level of long-term disability such as cerebral palsy, deafness, blindness or learning difficulties. Overall, 1 in 17,000 babies in the UK die from GBS infection each year. This is too many, and there needs to be a change in screening protocol in the UK. “Carrying GBS has no symptoms so testing is the only way to find out if you are carrying GBS. If you are, steps can be taken to stop your newborn baby developing GBS infection. Routine screening of all pregnant women for GBS carriage is not currently recommended by the UK National Screening Committee”. My husband and I want to fight to try and help change this…… every woman should be entitled to this test, that can prevent them from going through the experience of a child suffering from the aftermath of GBS. We have decided to help raise awareness and funds for GBS Support by putting on a Charity Ball on 29th February 2020. My husband and I both worked in musical theatre. Myself as a Wigs and Make-up Artist and him a performer. We have called in friends from the West End who will create a night to remember. Please come and celebrate with us!!!