I can’t change my story.. but you can change yours!!

My son was only 8 days old when he showed signs of illness and distress. He was blue-lighted to the hospital where he was put into an induced coma and spent over a week in intensive care at the Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast. We were told there was a possibility he could die. He suffered two brain bleeds and had seizures. At one point, he was on four antibiotics and this treatment lasted 28 days. We will not know the severity or how it has affected him until we reach each developmental milestone.

We unfortunately are the lucky ones as we have him here today but others are not so fortunate and have experienced unimaginable loss! 

This traumatic experience could have been prevented if we had been informed about Group B Strep, a bacterial infection that can be passed from a mother to her baby during childbirth and is a leading cause of neonatal infections, such as sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis. This potentially life-threatening condition affects about one in 1,750 babies annually in the UK, and sadly, 10% of these babies do not survive while others have long-term disabilities as a result.

In the Uk and Northern Ireland , unlike in some other regions, routine testing for Group B Strep is not offered to expectant mothers. This petition seeks a change. We urge health authorities in the Uk & Northern Ireland to provide comprehensive information on Group B Strep to all pregnant women and offer them the option to be tested after 35 weeks of pregnancy.

Regular screening and treatment with antibiotics during labor if the test is positive has been proven effective in significantly reducing the risk of transmission. Countries like the United States, Canada, and Germany have seen a dramatic decrease in early-onset disease through systematic screening policies.

Having this test available could save countless newborns from unnecessary suffering, and it could spare families the heartache we've endured. We believe that every mother has the right to know the risks and make an informed decision regarding her and her baby's health.

Join us in advocating for this life-saving change in policy. Your signature can make a difference. Call for change, sign the petition, and help protect the future of our children.