Tests during pregnancy - Group-B-Streptococcus- Pregnancy forum

What is Group B Strep infection?
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria that is found in the lower intestine of 10-35% of all healthy adults and in the vagina and/or lower intestine of 10-35% of all healthy, adult women. GBS should not be confused with Group A Strep, which causes strep throat. A person whose body carries GBS bacteria but who does not show signs of infections is said to be 'colonized' with GBS. GBS colonization is not contagious. GBS bacteria are a normal part of the commonly found bacteria in the human body. Normally, the presence of GBS does not cause problems. In certain circumstances, however, GBS bacteria can invade the body and cause serious infection: this is referred to as GBS disease.

Who may be affected by Group B Strep Disease?

15,000 to 18,000 newborns and adults in the U.S. will contract serious GBS disease each year, resulting in the bloodstream, respiratory and other devastating infections.
About half of all GBS disease occurs in newborns and is acquired during childbirth when a baby comes into direct contact with the bacteria carried by the mother.
GBS causes infection in pregnant women - in the womb, in the amniotic fluid, following caesarean sections, and in the urinary tract. Each year there are over 50,000 cases of such infections in pregnant women.
35-40% of GBS disease occurs in the elderly or in adults with chronic medical conditions.

How Common is GBS Disease in Newborns?
Approximately 8,000 babies in the U.S. contract serious GBS disease each year. Up to 800 of these babies may die from it and up to 20% of the babies who survive GBS-related meningitis are left permanently handicapped.

In newborns, GBS is the most common cause of sepsis (infection of the blood) and meningitis (infection of the fluid and lining surrounding the brain) and is a frequent cause of newborn pneumonia. GBS disease is more common than other, better known, newborn problems such as rubella, congenital syphilis, and spina bifida. Some babies that survive, especially those who develop meningitis, may develop tong-term medical problems, including hearing or vision loss, varying degrees of physical and learning disabilities, and cerebral palsy.

How Do Babies Get Sick From GBS Disease?
Typically, babies are exposed to GBS during labor and delivery; they may also be exposed after the mother's membranes rupture ('water breaks'). Babies can come in contact with GBS if the bacteria travels upward from the mothers' vagina into the uterus; they may also be exposed to it while passing through the birth canal. The babies become infected when they swallow or inhale the bacteria. There is also evidence that GBS may cross intact membranes to expose the baby while it is still in the womb. There it may cause preterm births, stillbirths or miscarriages. However, these may be caused by a variety of factors; other infections, stress, genetic defects for example- so be sure that any of these complications are investigated fully even if you are colonized with GBS.

Are Certain Babies More Vulnerable to GBS Disease?
Premature babies, with their less-developed bodies and immune systems, are more vulnerable to GBS infections than other older infants. Premature babies infected with GBS are at higher risk for long-term complications and/or death. Since most babies are born full term, however, full term babies account for 70% of the cases of GBS disease in newborns.

The majority (80%) of the cases of GBS disease among newborns occur in the first week of life. This is called *early onset* disease. Most of these babies are ill within a few hours after birth. Babies who develop early onset disease may have one or more of the following symptoms: problems with temperature regulations, grunting sounds, fever, seizures, breathing problems, unusual change in behavior, stiffness, or extreme limpness.

GBS disease may also develop in infants one week to several months after birth. This is called *late onset* disease. Meningitis is more common with late onset GBS disease. About half of late onset GBS disease can be linked to a mother who is colonized with GBS; the source of infections for other babies with late onset GBS disease in unknown. The baby who develops late onset GBS disease may exhibit the following signs: stiffness, limpness, inconsolable screaming, fever, or refusal to feed.

How is a baby tested for GBS disease?
Babies who develop the signs listed above should be evaluated immediately by a doctor. Blood tests, cultures, and x-rays can help determine if a baby has GBS disease, and treatment should begin immediately.

How is GBS Transmitted? IS GBS a Sexually Transmitted Disease?
GBS is naturally occurring bacterium in the human body of both women and men. Since it is commonly found in the vagina, some people wonder whether GBS is a sexually transmitted disease. The answer is 'no'. GBS bacteria usually do not cause genital symptoms of discomfort and are not linked with increased sexual activity. Women found to carry GBS do not need to change their sexual practices.

Can Pregnant Women Be Checked for GBS Colonization?
The GBS Association advocates that every pregnant woman be screened for GBS. One third, or 1,200,000 pregnant women carry GBS Bacteria. Knowing your culture result before you go into labor can help protect your baby's life.

The test should be performed late in pregnancy, around 35 -37 weeks of gestation. The test involves collecting a swab or swabs from the lower vagina and rectum and culturing the sample on a special medium (LIM or selective broth medium). The test result is usually ready in 2 or 3 days and it usually costs between $15 and $35. This culture is considered the 'Gold Standard'-- *It is the best screening available*. Unfortunately, it is not perfect and may miss a small number of women (approx 5%) who carry GBS. Fortunately, it is accurate in detecting the bacteria as the 'Gold Standard' culture but may be beneficial in a setting where a pregnant woman had not received prenatal care.

A positive culture result means that the mother is colonized with GBS. It does *NOT* mean that she has GBS disease or that her baby will become ill. Rather, a positive test means that a woman and her doctor need to plan for her labor and delivery with this test result in mind. The results of GBS cultures should be available at delivery. If they are not available a woman should not hesitate to tell a doctor or nurse her results as soon as she arrives in the Labor and Delivery ward.

If you are pregnant, ask your health care professional about testing for GBS. If the test is not offered, you should request it. Ask to be cultured for GBS during pregnancy, discuss treatment plans with your doctor, and tell your baby's doctor, pediatrician, or newborn nursery nurse about your culture result. By doing these things you can help prevent a GBS infection.

What are a Mother's Risk Factors For Developing GBS Disease?

Positive culture for GBS colonization at 35-37 weeks

Having already had a baby who had a GBS infection

GBS bacteria in urine (bacteriuria, either with or with our symptoms)

Membrane rupture (having your 'water break'more than 18 hours before delivery)

Labor or membrane rupture before 37 weeks

Developing a fever during labor (higher than 100.4F)

The baby's doctor and nurse should be told if the mother has any of the above risk factors.

How Can GBS Disease in Newborns and Mothers Be Prevented?
Giving antibiotics (such as penicillin) through the vein during labor and delivery to women who have a positive GBS test or who have certain risk factors effectively prevents most GBS infections in women and their newborns. For best protection, the mother would receive intravenous antibiotics at least 4- 6 hours before delivery. However, the earlier the administration of antibiotics the better once a risk factor has been identified. For example , a woman who has had a previous GBS baby should have IV antibiotics started at the time of hospital admission, whether labor takes 14 hours or 6 hours.

If a woman's labor begins or her membranes rupture before 37 weeks of pregnancy (before a culture is collected) she should be offered IV antibiotics.

Since the antibiotics can cause side-effects, which are usually mild but can be severe, their use should be limited to those women who have one or more of the listed risk factors- the decisions to take antibiotics during labor should balance risks and benefits. If you are allergic to penicillin, consult your doctor to learn about other effective antibiotics.

Caesarean sections are not likely to prevent GBS disease.

Unfortunately, no prevention plan is 100% effective. Some women with GBS escape detection because they do not have risk factors. *All* women should be tested for GBS with **EACH** pregnancy to ensure that the very best available protection is provided for their babies.

Is There a Vaccine for GBS?
Researchers are actively working to develop a GBS vaccine. Use of the vaccine in adult women will stimulate the immune system to make protective proteins, called antibodies, which could cross the placenta later in pregnancy and protect the baby. Although widespread use of the vaccine is still years away, vaccination will one day protect babies and others from this bacterial infection.

Should Women Who Have Had A Previous GBS Positive Baby Have More Children?

Women who have had problems due to GBS in the past should inform their prenatal care provider and pediatrician. GBS infections can be prevented and managed in subsequent pregnancies so that babies are protected and born healthy and free of GBS.

GBS and Breastfeeding
No data suggests that breastfeeding can pass GBS from a mother to her baby; women colonized with GBS may breastfeed without concern about harming their newborns. As always, keep hands and nipple area clean.

PREVENTION IS KEY!!
In at least 90% of the births where the mother is properly tested and treated for GBS colonization, the babies are healthy, so remember to:

Ask your heath care professional to culture you for GBS between 35 -37 weeks
Discuss antibiotic treatment plans with your doctor
Tell your baby's doctor and nurse about your culture result before the baby is born.
Some doctors may not routinely offer testing for GBS but may base treatment decisions on obstetric risk factors alone. 25% of all GBS infected babies will be born to a mother who had no obstetric complications. This prevention plan will not prevent as many infections as routine screening combined with antibiotics for those mothers who culture positive for GBS.

ROUTINE PRENATAL CULTURE AT 35 -37 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY ALONG WITH IV ANTIBIOTICS DURING DELIVERY FOR THOSE MOTHERS WHO CULTURE POSITIVE FOR GBS OFFERS THE VERY BEST PROTECTION AVAILABLE FOR THE NEWBORN. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this method potentially protects more babies than prevention by obstetric risk factors evaluation alone.

GROUP B STREP ASSOCIATION Dedicated to the fight against GBS infection. It was formed In memory of all the babies who have died In sympathy for all the babies left handicapped For the sake of all the babies yet to come

Comments: Tests during pregnancy - Group-B-Streptococcus

Comments 1 to 24 of about 104.
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dylans mammy - 6 days ago.
i've just had test results back from hospital and tested positive for this, i'm feeling reallly ill about this.

laura14 - 29 days ago.
i had this in my pregnancy, ithink it can show up at any time which is why if tested its more in the last weeks of preg. im not sure if this is in place in the UK yet?? cos they found i had it when i had a swab taken not for that though. i know if you have had it before and if you dont have it in the next preg you still get antibiotics so i think its possible@debs

pregnantdebs - 29 days ago.
if you had a baby before and everything was fine and you were neg can you still be pos in your next pregnancy ???????????

Nikolle - 36 days ago.
I has Strep B and had no complications at all. I had to be on antibiotics, but I hardly noticed with all the other IVs I had in me. My baby was perfectly healthy, not even a hint of jaundice. I would not worry about it. I think that there are cases that turn out horrible, but that is the same with a lot of things. Like smoking and such except you cannot control Strep from being there or not. The antibiotics when you go into labor is supposed to temporarily clear up the Strep so that the baby is not exposed to it. Nothing is 100%, but unless your doctor tells you to worry I would stray away from the added stress. It is not good for the baby. I am truly sorry for those of you who had difficulties. It is very sad to lose a child to any source.

kandyseandbrandon - 51 days ago.
I just found out that mine was positive and I am freaking the hell out!

tarakm - 58 days ago.
Got my results back today and its NEG! I am happy!

usagi - 58 days ago.
Group B strep has caused me to have premature rupture of the membranes during both my pregnancies. For some unknown reason, the bacteria doesn't stay in my birth canal but travels up into the womb, where it has now TWICE infected the placenta and baby. I was so lucky, my daughter survived (although she was born 13 weeks early) but unfortunately my son did not. It is so frustrating that there seems to be nothing the doctors can do to prevent this for me.... needless to say I'm not planning on having any more kids.

thencamebaby - 58 days ago.
They just tested me at 35 weeks, it was really quick and painless. They used a giant q tip to swab my vagina and the outside of my butt. I find out the results at my appt. tues.

Toastys Wifey - 58 days ago.
GROUP B STREP TEST WHAT DO THEY DO TO TEST YOU FOR IT??IF YOU LADIES DONT MIND ANSWERING...DO THEY JUST SWAB THE VAGINA??

suncrest - 65 days ago.
I am pos strep B ...I have 2 weeks to go and I'm having flu-symptoms. Should I be concerned? I'm chilled, shaky my head hurts and my bones ache everywhere. Anyone know if I should be concerned?

Lizakn - 69 days ago.
Hi there. I am 8 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child. With my first pregnancy I tested positive for B-Strep & had to have the anitbiotics while in labour & my child turned out perfect. But now I am starting to worry about this pregnancy. You see my Aunt {my fathers sister} also has the B-Strep & while giving birth to her 2nd child..the baby contracted the Strep while comming through the birth canal & developed Meningitis. He was in Toronto Sick Childrens Hospital for pretty much his first year of life...and still to this day has some learning disablities {he is now almost 16} I am sure everything will be fine with this pregnancy & birth.....but it still frightens me!

suncrest - 70 days ago.
I don't mind taking the antibiotics or anything but I am really confused. I asked the midwife if I needed to come in right away if my water breaks (my plan WAS to stay home as long as possible) and she said that doesn't normally happen (it happened with my last) and that I could wait a few hours before getting to the hopital, but she wasn't sure about the exact time. Hello? Isn't that critical information? Now I'm just left guessing. Also ....the midwife said that anyone can get the bacteria at anytime...that's why they treat us during labor rather than now....because we could just contract the bacteria again. But what about the women who test negative? They could just as easily contract it from now until they go into labor as we could. This doesn't make sense to me.

firstimer - 71 days ago.
Does anyone know where reece-mummy-bump is?

elishaone - 75 days ago.
I was tested positive for strep b and was not satisfied with the level of information I received from my mw. I have been able to read plenty of info on the net which has reassured, but also highlighted any complications, which is always good to know as I like to be informed. However my mw did seem only mildly concerned, but my directions are as soon as my waters break (assuming they do) I am to immediately make my way to the hospital to start antibiotics. I am not to wait at home for labour to progress further. If my waters do not break, but labour starts, I am to make my way there when becoming more imminent, however it was advised I start antibiotics at least four house before the baby arrives. But what got me so upset and stressed, was the fact I questioned my own personal hygiene or whether it was sexually transmitted because I was left in the dark a bit, but anyone else who may be thinking this, rest assured there is no correlation between any of these and being strep +. Just have my fingers and toes crossed now that my baby is healthy and unaffected by strep b.

angiemomo5 - 78 days ago.
I tested + for GBS. I reminded my doc AGAIN that I have fast deliveries (if my water breaks on its own baby is crowning) and he actually told me that as long as the baby doesn't spend too much time in the birth canal the risk is relatively small and not to worry. That may be true, but how long is too long and is he really willing to take that risk on my baby? I plan on calling to try and change doctors. Not sure if I can do it this far into the game, but it's worth a try.

MAYBAYBAY - 79 days ago.
i tested positive and im devastated reading that it can really harm baby and 20% die or are mentally challenged without treatment. My hospital doesn't admit unless u are 4 cm or active contractions BUT you have to take the meds. 4-6 hrs. before deliver to ensure it treats the infection or tests have to be done on the baby im worried so is my hubby, i now am gonna wanna jump to go head to the hospital when i even think the time is near and probaly be sent home, if your water breaks it could affect the baby so im gonna try to go before this happens, and they won't induce until 41 weeks so i am upset and worried!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sunny3 - 93 days ago.
they swab u at 36 weeks

KimberlyAnn08 - 93 days ago.
How do they test you for Strep B? I am 35 weeks and my doctors haven't even talked to me about it yet, so next week at my appointment I am going to ask them. I asked my sister who has two children, and she said they only used a swab in her vagina.. but I read they also check your rectal area. How has everyone else been tested?

Its-Chelle - 102 days ago.
i had that too and got treated while in labor, antibiotics were all done just before i had my son and everything turned out fine..

Carlaz - 105 days ago.
In two pregnancies previous I tested pos for GBS so natruraly thought that I'd test positive again. I was upset that the consultant would not test me in this pregnancy regardless of the history of it previous. When I asked him why it was his opinion that I didn't have to test positive again, well I couldn't understand that because of how dangerous it would be if gone undetected for the baby more so than me and I insisted that I have the test regardless since he wouldn't necessarily be doing my C section should I have to go in on an emergancy which I did, then no one would know that there was the possibility of the baby contracting GBS which can and does potentially kill 20% of babies if gone undetected luckily for him on this occasion rightly said It was neg but it could well have gone so terribly wrong. I never trust anyones diagnosis without fact and I'm glad I insisted on been tested, consultants are known for getting it wrong, their not the ones going home after a long pregnancy and no baby to show for it. We cannot sue here in Britan only in extreeme cases of neglect and our Health service get away with literal murder. Who'd want money insted of their baby? I know I'd want a healthy baby anyday.

caitie - 109 days ago.
well my doctor said i tested positive for gbs and now i feel kinda bad. Although in good news since i did test postitive i am now going to be induced in two weeks if he doesnt show up on his own by then.

lizvt - 110 days ago.
Hi ladies...? for those who tested + and had antibiotics during labor.... did you basically have one IV bag of antibiotics during labor? I am having a homebirth, tested + for strep B, and have been given IV antibiotics as a choice by my midwife, but am just not sure what is involved. It is the only reason I would need an IV and have any medication, so I am wondering how long it takes, what is involved, etc. Thanks

mzlady85 - 114 days ago.
today my doctor told me that I tested + for group b strep and tht when I go into labor I'll have to be on antibotics

bigmommat - 123 days ago.
My Dr. said that once you have it you usually have it everytime. This is my 3rd child and pregnancy and I had with my other 2 as well. Just an antibiotic while your in labour and it takes care of it.

kimevansandt - 124 days ago.
lovingmom, my sister tested positive with her first child. With her second child, her doctor didn't even test her because they just assume if you had it the first time, you'll have it again. Maybe not all doctors do it this way but my sister was relieved that she didn't need another rectal swab! haha :)