My Pregnancy

Group B streptococcus & pregnancy

Group B streptococcus & pregnancy

What group B strep (Streptococcus) have to do with pregnancy.

Group B strep is a harmless bacteria, can be found in intestine and lower genital tract of 25 % of pregnant women without causing any disease.

However during labour group B strep can pass from birth canal to baby water bag and make them infected. 

In babies infection can be very serious and fatal due to underdeveloped immune system. It can cause new born death in 1 in 20 newborns infected with group B streptococcus. 

However it all preventable.

Your OB doctor will check you for Group B strep carriage in late third trimester.

If you test positive for group B strep, you’ll be given IV antibiotics as soon as active labor begins or your water breaks, whichever comes first.