Between 35-37 weeks of pregnancy, every expecting mother should receive a group B streptococcus (GBS) screening. This requires a doctor to take a cell sample using a Q-Tip swab from your vagina and rectum to determine whether or not you are one of the 10-35% of women with the bacteria present in their digestive, urinary, or reproductive tracts.
It’s important that you receive the GBS screening, because there is a risk of passing the bacteria to your baby during delivery. GBS can cause serious problems in a newborn, even death.
What GBS is and is not
Group B strep is not the same variety of strep that gives you strep throat. Also, GBS is not a sexually transmitted disease.
GBS is a common bacteria that usually does not cause infections in healthy adults. Some women develop a urinary tract infection or infection of the uterus, but few women ever know they have it. GBS doesn’t usually doesn’t come with symptoms.
How GBS is treated
To screen, the doctor will swab your vagina and rectum. The process is painless.
If you happen to have GBS, you will receive antibiotics during labor, not before. That’s because the bacteria can return shortly after an antibiotics treatment. While the bacteria will cause little harm to mom, it could cause great harm to the baby including lung infections, blood infections, and meningitis.
Late onset GBS
It is possible for your baby to acquire GBS after birth through contact with others. If your baby presents any of the following symptoms, talk to your doctor.
- Slowness or inactivity
- Irritability
- Poor feeding
- Vomiting
- High fever
This is one of several articles published as part of a series to discuss what moms-to-be can expect in Connecticut prenatal care from Dr. Garofalo. Check back regularly for more information.
Written by: Sara Lancaster
Creative Commons Image Attribution: Lady in waiting Project 365(2) Day 23 by Keith Williamson