As you near the end of your pregnancy, your MomDoc provider will begin finalizing the details of your safe delivery. One of the most important routine checks we perform during the third trimester is a screening for Group B Streptococcus, commonly known as GBS.
If your provider tells you that you’ve tested positive for GBS, it’s completely natural for your heart to skip a beat or to feel a surge of concern. However, we want to reassure you: carrying GBS does not mean you are sick, it is not a sexually transmitted infection, and keeping your baby safe is a straightforward, highly effective process.
What is Group B Strep?
Group B Strep is a very common type of bacteria. It naturally lives in the gastrointestinal and genital tracts (the vagina and rectum) of about 1 in 4 healthy adult women.
For the vast majority of healthy adults, GBS quietly coexists with the body's normal flora and causes absolutely zero symptoms or health problems. It simply comes and goes naturally. In fact, you can test positive for GBS during one pregnancy and test negative during your next.
Why Do We Test for GBS?
While GBS is harmless to you, a newborn's immune system is far too fragile to fight off these bacteria.
During vaginal childbirth, a baby passes directly through the areas where GBS lives. If the bacteria are passed to the baby during delivery, the newborn can become very sick. While it only affects a small number of babies exposed (about 1 to 2 out of 100 untreated cases), early-onset GBS disease can cause severe, life-threatening complications for an infant, including:
- Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
- Infection of the lungs (pneumonia)
- Infection of the blood (sepsis)
To completely mitigate this risk, MomDoc rigorously screens every pregnant patient for GBS. Between 36 and 38 weeks of pregnancy, your provider will perform a quick, painless swab of your lower vagina and rectum.
Treatment During Labor
If your test results indicate that GBS is currently present in your body, the prevention strategy is simple and highly effective: you will receive antibiotics through an IV once you are admitted to the hospital and active labor has started.
This timed dosage of antibiotics rapidly travels through your bloodstream to the baby, providing your newborn with the protective barrier they need right as they pass through the birth canal.
The most effective time for treatment is during active labor. If, for any reason, your GBS status is unknown at the time of delivery, or if there isn't enough time to administer the full course of antibiotics before the baby arrives, the pediatric team at the hospital may recommend monitoring your infant for an extended period to ensure they remain perfectly healthy.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your MomDoc provider regarding your specific prenatal screenings and delivery plan.