Group B Streptococcus, commonly referred to as Group B Strep (GBS), is a bacterial infection that can be present in a pregnant woman’s vagina or rectum. This bacteria is typically found in about 25% of healthy adult women, and those who test positive for it are considered to be colonized. During delivery, a mother can pass GBS to her baby, which can affect approximately 1 in every 2,000 newborns in the United States. Although GBS infections in pregnant women are rare, they can lead to severe outcomes, making routine testing a crucial part of prenatal care.
How Can You Determine if You Have Group B Strep?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all pregnant women undergo routine screening for GBS between the 35th and 37th weeks of pregnancy. This test, which involves swabbing both the vagina and rectum, is performed to identify the presence of GBS. Results are usually available within 24 to 48 hours. Notably, if you have certain risk factors, such as preterm labor before 37 weeks, your physician may recommend antibiotics until your GBS status is confirmed.
How Does Group B Strep Spread?
It’s important to note that Group B Strep is not a sexually transmitted disease. The bacteria typically resides in the intestines, vagina, or rectum, and many healthy women carry it without showing any symptoms. If you test positive for GBS, it simply indicates that you are a carrier. However, not all babies born to mothers with GBS will become ill. About 1 in 200 babies born to untreated mothers may exhibit symptoms of GBS.
What If You Test Positive for Group B Strep?
Testing positive for GBS means you carry the bacteria, but it doesn’t guarantee your baby will get sick. However, certain factors can increase the risk, such as:
- Labor or ruptured membranes before 37 weeks
- Ruptured membranes 18 hours or more prior to delivery
- Fever during labor
- A urinary tract infection caused by GBS during pregnancy
- Having had a previous baby with GBS
In these cases, your healthcare provider may recommend administering intravenous antibiotics during delivery to protect your baby from the infection. The CDC states that if you are not considered high-risk and do not receive antibiotics, the chances of your baby developing GBS are 1 in 200. If antibiotics are administered, that risk drops to 1 in 4,000.
Protecting Your Baby from Group B Strep
If you are a carrier of GBS and have risk factors, your doctor will likely suggest IV antibiotics during labor to minimize the risk of your baby becoming ill. It is crucial to note that antibiotics taken before labor do not prevent the transmission of GBS, as the bacteria can recolonize after treatment. Testing between 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy is essential for all expectant mothers.
How Does GBS Affect Newborns?
Newborns can experience either early or late-onset GBS. Early-onset symptoms may appear within hours after delivery and can include sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis. Common signs include:
- Breathing difficulties
- Instability in heart rate and blood pressure
- Gastrointestinal or kidney issues
Late-onset GBS symptoms may occur within the first week or a few months after birth, often manifesting as meningitis. This late-onset form could result from transmission during delivery or contact with someone carrying GBS.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How serious is GBS? GBS can lead to serious complications like bladder and uterine infections for the mother and, in severe cases, meningitis or sepsis in the baby.
- Will my baby get GBS if I test positive? Not necessarily. Statistically, about 1 in every 200 babies born to GBS-positive mothers becomes ill, though certain symptoms can elevate this risk.
- How can I prevent my baby from getting GBS? Administering IV antibiotics during labor is the recommended method to lower the chance of your baby becoming ill. It’s important to begin this treatment once labor starts and continue every four hours until delivery.
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In summary, being informed about Group B Strep can help you take proactive steps to protect your baby. Through routine testing and appropriate medical interventions, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with GBS during pregnancy.