Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep

"All pregnant women should get a group B strep (GBS) test when they are 35–37 weeks pregnant. Babies can get very sick and even die if their mothers pass GBS bacteria to them during childbirth.

All Pregnant Women Need a GBS Test

If you are pregnant, talk with your doctor or midwife about getting a GBS test. It doesn’t matter if you did or did not have this type of bacteria before; each pregnancy is different. CDC recommends getting it when you are 35–37 weeks pregnant. The test is an easy swab of the vagina and rectum that should not hurt. There are no risks to you or your baby from a GBS test. The test shows if you are carrying GBS bacteria, which you can pass to your baby during childbirth.

Women Who Test Positive for GBS Bacteria Need Antibiotics during Labor

If you test negative, you do not need to do anything more. However, if you test positive, you need an antibiotic (usually penicillin) through an IV (in the vein) during labor. If you are allergic to penicillin, there are other antibiotics to help treat you during labor.

CDC recommends taking the medicine during labor in order to prevent the bacteria from spreading to your baby during childbirth. Taking antibiotics before you go into labor will not protect your baby because the bacteria can grow back quickly...."
Group-B Strep

Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep!

"All pregnant women should get a group B strep test when they are 35–37 weeks pregnant. Babies can get very sick and even die if their mothers pass group B strep bacteria to them during childbirth.

If you are pregnant, talk with your doctor or midwife about getting a group B strep (GBS) test. CDC recommends getting it when you are 35–37 weeks pregnant. The test shows if you are carrying group B streptococcal bacteria, which you can pass to your baby during childbirth. If you carry this bacteria, you need an antibiotic during labor to keep your baby from getting sick..."

Group B Strep

Protect Your Unborn Baby or Newborn from Infections

"If you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy, there are simple steps you can take to protect your unborn baby or newborn from infections that cause serious health problems.

Group B Strep

If you are pregnant—or know anyone who is—you need to know about group B strep. About a quarter of all women carry the bacteria that cause group B strep infection. Group B strep bacteria are usually not harmful to you and won't make the people around you sick. But these bacteria can be very dangerous for your newborn. Babies can get very sick and even die if their mothers pass group B strep bacteria to them during childbirth. That's why it's so important for you to get tested for group B strep each time you get pregnant..."
Prenatal infections

Protect Your Unborn Baby or Newborn from Infections

"If you are pregnant—or know anyone who is—you need to know about group B strep. About a quarter of all women carry the bacteria that cause group B strep infection. Group B strep bacteria are usually not harmful to you and won't make the people around you sick. But these bacteria can be very dangerous for your newborn. Babies can get very sick and even die if their mothers pass group B strep bacteria to them during childbirth.."
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/PrenatalInfections/