What every expecting Mom needs to know…
What is it?
Group B Streptococcus is sometimes also referred to as Group B Strep or GBS. It is a naturally occurring bacteria that lives in about 25% of men and women. It is not a sexually transmitted disease. Most of the time, the bacteria doesn’t cause any symptoms of illness. However, sometimes the bacteria can cause urinary tract infections or womb infections in pregnancy women. Also, if the bacteria is transferred from a pregnant woman to her baby during birth, the baby can become very sick. GBS is the most common cause of newborn sepsis (blood infection), meningitis (infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs).
How do I prevent my baby from getting it?
Your OB doctor will obtain a vaginal/rectal swab at about 36 weeks to determine if you are a carrier of GBS. If you are, you will be treated with an IV antibiotic during labor to prevent passing the infection to your baby. It is estimated that 98-99% of babies will not become infected if the mother is properly treated. If you tested negative, or have not been tested, you will be treated during delivery if you have any risk factors that increase your chance of passing along the infection.
The following is a list of risk factors:
- Labor or rupture of membranes before 37 weeks
- Rupture of membranes 18 hours or more before delivery
- Fever during labor
- A urinary tract infection as a result of GBS during pregnancy
- Previous baby with GBS
If I am GBS positive, what are the chances my baby will be infected?
If you are not in the high risk category your chances are 1 in 4,000 if antibiotics are given. If not treated, your chances are 1 in 200.
What if I am having a C-section?
You will not need to be treated unless you have one or more of the above listed risk factors.
Can I still breast-feed if I am GBS positive?
Yes, the bacteria is not passed through breast milk.
Prepared by Mary Ann Shostek & Dr. Christine Brass-Jones D.O. from Center for True Harmony
