Epping mother reveals how Group B Streptococcus almost claimed two of her newborns

Lucy Phillips-Boyle, from Epping, believes regular screenings for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) could prevent more families potentially losing their babies.

The mother of three experienced first-hand how deadly the condition could be when her eldest child, eight-year-old Kaiden, developed symptoms shortly after his birth.

“When Kaiden was born, he wasn’t eating properly and quite yellow, doctors believed it was because he had low blood sugar levels,” said Ms Phillips-Boyle. “But when the paediatrician looked at him, he was diagnosed with the condition.

“They basically said to me it's an infection in the blood, they would need to take a lumber-puncture and see if the bacteria could turn into sepsis or even meningitis.

"The consultant’s words to me were: 'There is a 50/50 chance that he lives or dies and if he survives, there is a high possibility that he will be brain damaged,' so for a first-time parent this was really scary for me.”

Group B Strep is the most common life-threatening infection in new-borns in the UK, with approximately 800 babies a year developing the condition.

The bacteria is present in approximately 20 per cent of pregnant women, causing no harm but may pass unknowingly to their baby during birth.

The infection can develop into sepsis, pneumonia or even meningitis where sadly 50 babies die and around 70 suffer with long-term disabilities a year.

Most GBS infections in new-born babies can be prevented by testing pregnant women and providing antibiotics in labour.

A screening test for GBS would costs the NHS £11 which could prevent women suffering from miscarriages, stillbirth and even premature labour.

“It was the longest time of my life,” she Ms Phillips-Boyle. “It is such a deadly infection and I am surprised there is not being done for expectant mothers and babies being born. It is so surreal and severe of what it can do.”

Fortunately, Kaiden managed to pull through with no health problems after spending two weeks in hospital.

With her second pregnancy, Lucy was treated as a high-risk pregnancy to which luckily her second son, Krei, was born healthy.

However, the GBS infection was set to strike the family again following the birth of her daughter, Kioni.

“My daughter had the pneumonia type and was in intensive care for a week. They soon noticed she was struggling to breath shortly after the birth.

“They told me they were going to take her for a check-up only to come back and tell me they had to sedate and put her on a ventilator, suffering from Group-B Strep.”

Doctors decided to transfer Kioni to Luton Dunstable Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit where she also received a lumber-puncture and stayed in an incubator for several days.

A few days later, the Lucy’s third child was transferred back to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow before being given the all-clear.

“What I did not know until years later is that this infection can happen at anytime, meaning it can come and go,” the mother of three explained. “This what the health professionals seem to be missing.

“I’m not a religious person, but at the time I just prayed and prayed because that was the only thing that kept me going.”

To help raise awareness of GBS, Lucy and Kaiden are planning to complete the Nuclear Races obstacle course in Brentwood on Saturday, September 7.

All money raised will be donated to Group B Strep Support, a charity which aims to educate families on the infection.

“I am absolutely buzzing about it,” said Ms Phillips-Boyle. “We have both been training by going for runs after school.

“I want to do whatever I can as I was personally affected by it, not knowing that my children were going to live or die was horrendous.

"I do not want anyone to experience what I have because it is horrendous.”

If you would like to make a donation, visit Lucy’s Just Giving page at

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lucy-phillips03?fbclid=IwAR1OcICCxOYVO2I9hCdL4fFo9y9SP5Gh7TOn_RN56XMkiBtZy27K1sqnBQ8&utm_source=Facebook