As you near the end of your pregnancy, your provider will perform a test to find out if you have what’s known as Group B Streptococcus (or GBS). Here’s what to know about Group B strep, including what it is, how it’s tested for, and how to protect your little one from potential health issues.
What is Group B Strep?
Group B strep is one of the many kinds of bacteria that can be found in the human body. And in case you’re wondering—it isn’t the same bacteria as Group A strep, which is what causes strep throat. GBS can typically be found in the intestines and lower genital tract of healthy women. In fact, one in four women carry GBS bacteria in their bodies.
Is Group B Strep Dangerous?
While GBS isn’t typically harmful to adult women, it can be dangerous for your baby if it’s passed to them during childbirth. While it’s rare for your baby to become infected with Group B strep—only about one or two babies of 100 is infected if the mother isn’t treated properly—chances are even lower when the mother is effectively treated for the bacteria during her labor.
Babies who are passed GBS could develop what’s known as early-onset or late-onset disease. Early-onset disease is when a baby gets sick 12-48 hours after birth, or up to the first week of life. Early-onset disease can cause health problems such as meningitis, pneumonia or sepsis.
Late-onset disease occurs when a baby gets sick from a week up to a few months after birth. This disease can be caused by contact with their mother after delivery, or even by contact with other people carrying GBS. Late-onset disease can also cause meningitis. Symptoms include lack of energy, irritability, poor feeding and a high fever. If your baby experiences any of these symptoms, contact their provider immediately.
How Will My Provider Test for Group B Strep?
Prenatal care providers routinely test pregnant people for GBS bacteria when they are around 35-37 weeks gestation. Since GBS is typically found in the genital and intestinal areas, your provider will use a sterile swab to collect cells from just inside the vagina, as well as from just inside the anus. This swab will then be sent off to the lab, and you can expect results in several days. We know—it sounds strange, but it’s very quick and painless. While you may feel awkward during the test, remember it’s an incredibly important step to ensure baby’s health during their delivery.
What Happens If I Have Group B Strep?
If you test positive for GBS, there’s a relatively easy treatment to ensure your baby doesn’t get infected as they enter the world during childbirth. Your care team at the hospital will give you an antibiotic during labor (typically through your IV) in order to protect your little one from receiving the bacteria. Simple as that.
While your GBS status should be available in your chart and medical history, be sure to tell your labor and delivery team that you’re a carrier of GBS when you are admitted to the hospital. It’s probably a good idea to ask your birthing partner to remember to communicate this information as well.
There are some instances when a pregnant person may be given antibiotics during labor without actually testing for GBS, including if:
- You had a previous child who had GBS disease
- You have GBS bacteria in your urine anytime during pregnancy
- Your GBS status isn’t known when you go into labor and you have a fever
- Your GBS status isn’t known and you go into labor prior to 37 weeks’ gestation
- Your GBS status isn’t know and it’s been 18+ hours since your water broke
- Your GBS status for your current pregnancy isn’t known but you tested positive for GBS in a past pregnancy
If you’re having a C-section birth, you do not need to be given antibiotics during delivery if labor hasn’t started and your water hasn’t broken. However, even if you are planning for a C-section delivery, you should still be tested in the event that your labor begins prior to your scheduled C-section.
If you have any questions about the Group B strep testing process or how your labor and delivery will be impacted if you’re a carrier, be sure to chat with your provider. They’re the best resource for ensuring both you and your baby are healthy throughout your pregnancy and delivery.