Group B Strep (GBS) During Pregnancy: Risks, Testing & Treatment

Group B Strep is an infection caused by a bacteria often found in a pregnant women's vagina or rectum. If not treated, this infection can pass to the baby during birth and cause serious illnesses in the child.

Diagnosis

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all pregnant women get tested for Group B Strep. The vagina and rectum are swabbed and tested in the 35th to the 37th weeks of pregnancy.

Treatment

• If you are pregnant and test positive for Group B Strep, you will need treatment with intravenous antibiotics.

High Risk

• Some problems during pregnancy that put the baby at risk for the infection are preterm labor, fever during labor and previous babies with Group B Strep.

Effects on Baby

• A baby infected by Group B Strep may have heart and blood pressure instability, labored breathing, blood infections, meningitis and pneumonia.

Seriousness

• Infection of babies with Group B Strep is rare, but if it occurs, is serious. Get proper medical care during pregnancy so you can be treated if you have the infection.