Group B Streptococcus (GBS): Frequently asked questions
Group B Streptococcus (GBS): Frequently asked questions
How is the diagnosis made?
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a bacterium that lives in the body and causes no harm to you; it can cause a serious infection in a baby around the time of birth. GBS is carried in the vagina or rectum of up to 40% of women. It can be found on a vaginal or rectal swab or a urine test. In the UK there is no current screening programme for the carriage of GBS.
What does this mean?
For me:
If you are found to carry GBS in your current pregnancy you will be recommended to receive intravenous antibiotics during labour, to minimise the chance of your baby developing a GBS infection.If GBS is found in your urine during pregnancy, you should receive antibiotic treatment.
For my baby:
Most babies that come into contact with GBS during birth are well and do not develop GBS infection. If a baby does show signs of GBS infection, with prompt treatment most babies will recover completely. Rarely, GBS infection can be the cause of a neonatal death or longer term disability.
What will the medical team recommend?
Intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) for you during labour. If there are any concerns about your baby after birth, the neonatal team may recommend they receive antibiotics as well.
What are the ‘red flag’ symptoms/concerns, which mean that they should be reported immediately?
If you are known to carry GBS, you should inform your maternity unit straight away when your waters break, or if you are having regular labour pains.
Timing of birth
If your pregnancy progresses to term (after 37+0 weeks) IAP should be commenced as soon as labour starts or when your waters break, if they do so before labour.If your waters break before labour, induction of labour will be recommended to reduce the time your baby is exposed to the GBS bacteria.
How may this impact my birth choices?
IAP is not available at home, or in some midwifery led units, so if you agree with the recommendation to receive IAP you may need to plan labour and birth in an obstetric unit.
How may this affect care after the birth?
Depending on how long your receive IAP for before your baby is born, your baby may need some additional observation in hospital before you are able to go home.
What will this mean for future pregnancies? How can I reduce my risk of this happening again?
In a future pregnancy you will be offered IAP again in labour, or testing for GBS carriage 3-5 weeks before birth is expected.
Where can I find out more information about this condition?
