So at my midwife appointment last week I received the unwelcome news that my urine sample had tested positive for Group B Strep. Bah.

It’s not a big deal, really, and as far as I’m aware, even testing for it is relatively new in Sweden. I remember asking about it when I was pregnant with Tage, and my concern was literally met with a derisive chuckle — “In Sweden we don’t treat pregnancy like a disease.” Well, apparently that’s no longer the case, and the midwife informed me in an offhand manner that I could look forward to receiving IV antibiotics during labor. When she told me that, I didn’t say much of anything, as I’ve learned to pick my battles, but oh, when battle time comes, is it ever on, because I am not — no way, no how — being chained to an IV pole while I’m laboring (not to mention that there are very, very many compelling reasons to steer clear of the antibiotics and not a one that convinces me it’s the right choice as standard procedure).

I am so tired of having to fight for the birth experiences I want, but it seems every new pregnancy presents me with another issue to get my back up about. Oh, to have homebirth midwives available to me up here in the hinterlands …