Five Things You Need to Know about Group B Strep (GBS) During Your Pregnancy

1) GBS in your urine means that you carry a relatively heavy amount of GBS in your reproductive tract where it can infect your baby.   

Ask your doctor to do a urine culture for usual bacteria and GBS as deemed necessary throughout pregnancy, as your GBS status can change. This culture may be different from the routine urine testing done at most prenatal office visits. Depending upon the amount of GBS, it is standard for oral antibiotics to be prescribed if you are diagnosed. Talk to your doctor about treatment even if you carry a low amount and also ask for a “test of cure.” If you have had GBS in your urine during pregnancy, you will need to receive IV antibiotics during labor.

2) GBS can cause vaginal infection. 

Symptoms can include vaginal burning/itching and/or unusual discharge. These symptoms can be mistaken for a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. If you have any symptoms of vaginal infection, see your doctor promptly and request to be specifically evaluated and/or cultured and treated appropriately.  A “test of cure” should be routine. Vaginal infections caused by GBS can be linked to preterm births.

3) GBS can cross intact amniotic membranes and infect your baby before birth. 

Because invasive procedures can move infectious vaginal fluid closer to your baby, avoid unnecessary exams and procedures. Ask your doctor if each cervical exam will be necessary. Cervical exams can tell how far you are dilated, but do not accurately predict when your baby will be born. Talk with your doctor about not stripping your membranes to induce labor.

4) GBS testing should be done when you are 35 to 37 weeks pregnant.

If you are GBS positive, make sure the hospital staff knows that you should receive IV antibiotics when you are in labor or when your water breaks. Let your doctor know ahead of time if you are allergic to penicillin, as there are antibiotic alternatives.

5) IV antibiotics in labor for GBS can generally take 4 hours to be effective. 

Plan accordingly if you have short labors or live far from the hospital. Since C-sections do not prevent babies from becoming infected by GBS, ask about starting IV antibiotics prior to the incision.

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.