General practice is for laboring mom to get antibiotics a minimum of 4 hrs before birthing. If the abx aren't given in time, then there's supposedly more stringent "requirements" and longer hosp. stay for baby to be observed (although we ended up in the hosp. for the two days anyway, *shrug* I didn't mind at the time, hosp was nicer than our temporary apartment, lol.)

At the time, I was comfortable with getting the antibiotics to lessen the risk of infection. Now, I'm not so sure. Given how much having the hep-lock/IV interfered with my laboring, I'd fight getting antibiotics (as I plan on fighting having any sort or routine or pre-emptive hep-lock, especially in my hand.) Reportedly, in Europe they don't even test for GBS. I'm (we're) also in the lower/est risk group for infection from GBS.

Sorry... sore spot (haha). I'm at peace with how Lauren's birth went, but if I had it to do over again, I definitely would have had a doula. :)