Understanding Group B Strep During Pregnancy
Group B Streptococcus (group B strep, GBS) is a type of bacteria often found in the urinary tract, digestive system, and reproductive tracts. About 1 out of every 4 women have GBS.
The bacteria come and go from our bodies, so most people who have it don't know that they do. GBS usually doesn't cause health problems, but in pregnant women, it can be passed to babies during labor and delivery.
The good news is that with routine testing and proper treatment during labor, most babies born to GBS-positive mothers do not have any problems.
What Is Group B Strep?
Group B Streptococcus (group B strep, GBS) is a type of bacteria often found in the urinary tract, digestive system, and reproductive tracts.
Group B Streptococcus (group B strep, GBS) is a type of bacteria often found in the urinary tract, digestive system, and reproductive tracts.
The bacteria come and go from our bodies, so most people who have it don't know that they do.
GBS usually doesn't cause health problems. Health problems from GBS are not common, but it can cause illness in some people, such as the elderly and those with some medical conditions.
GBS can cause infections in such areas of the body as the blood, lungs, skin, or bones.
About 1 out of every 4 women have GBS.
What Problems Can Group B Strep Cause?
In pregnant women, GBS can cause infections and may be passed to babies during labor and delivery.
In pregnant women, GBS can cause infection of the urinary tract, placenta, womb, and amniotic fluid.
Even if they haven't had any symptoms of infection, pregnant women can pass the infection to their babies during labor and delivery.
When women with GBS are treated with antibiotics during labor, most of their babies do not have any problems.
But some babies can become very sick from GBS. Premature babies are more likely to be infected with GBS than full-term babies because their bodies and immune systems are less developed.
How Does Group B Strep Affect Babies?
There are two types of GBS disease in babies: early-onset and late-onset infections.
When women with GBS are treated with antibiotics during labor, most of their babies do not have any problems.
But some babies can become very sick from GBS. Premature babies are more likely to be infected with GBS than full-term babies because their bodies and immune systems are less developed.
Types of GBS Disease:
- Early-onset infections: These happen during the first week of life. Babies often have symptoms within 24 hours of birth.
- Late-onset infections: These develop weeks to months after birth. This type of GBS disease is not well understood.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of GBS Disease?
Newborns and infants with GBS disease may show various signs and symptoms, and can develop serious complications.
Newborns and infants with GBS disease might show these signs: a fever, feeding problems, breathing problems, irritability or fussiness, inactivity or limpness, and trouble keeping a healthy body temperature.
Babies with GBS disease can develop serious problems, such as pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis (infection of the fluid and lining around the brain).
Meningitis is more common with late-onset GBS disease and, in some cases, can lead to hearing loss, vision loss, learning disabilities, seizures, and even death.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Fever
- Feeding problems
- Breathing problems
- Irritability or fussiness
- Inactivity or limpness
- Trouble keeping a healthy body temperature
Serious Complications:
- Pneumonia
- Sepsis
- Meningitis (infection of the fluid and lining around the brain)
- Hearing loss (with meningitis)
- Vision loss (with meningitis)
- Learning disabilities (with meningitis)
- Seizures (with meningitis)
- Death (rare but possible)
How Is Group B Strep Diagnosed?
Pregnant women are routinely tested for GBS late in pregnancy, usually between weeks 35 and 37.
Pregnant women are routinely tested for GBS late in the pregnancy, usually between weeks 35 and 37.
The test is simple, inexpensive, and painless. Called a culture, it involves using a large cotton swab to collect samples from the vagina and rectum.
These samples are tested in a lab to check for GBS. The results are usually available in 1 to 3 days.
If a test finds GBS, the woman is said to be "GBS-positive." This means only that she has the bacteria in her body — not that she or her baby will become sick from it.
GBS infection in babies is diagnosed by testing a sample of blood or spinal fluid. But not all babies born to GBS-positive mothers need testing. Most healthy babies are simply watched to see if they have signs of infection.
How Is Group B Strep Treated?
Doctors treat GBS-positive pregnant women with antibiotics during labor to prevent the infection from being passed to the baby.
Doctors will test a pregnant woman to see if she has GBS. If she does, she will get intravenous (IV) antibiotics during labor to kill the bacteria.
Doctors usually use penicillin, but can give other medicines if a woman is allergic to it.
It's best for a woman to get antibiotics for at least 4 hours before delivery. This simple step greatly helps to prevent the spread of GBS to the baby.
Doctors also might give antibiotics during labor to a pregnant woman if she goes into labor prematurely (before being tested for GBS), hasn't been tested for GBS and her water breaks 18 or more hours before delivery, hasn't been tested for GBS and has a fever during labor, had a GBS bladder infection during the pregnancy, or had a baby before with GBS disease.
Giving antibiotics during labor helps to prevent early-onset GBS disease only. The cause of late-onset disease isn't known, so no method has yet been found to prevent it. Researchers are working to develop a vaccine to prevent GBS infection.
Babies who get GBS disease are treated with antibiotics. These are started as soon as possible to help prevent problems. These babies also may need other treatments, like breathing help and IV fluids.
How Can I Help Prevent Group B Strep Infection?
Because GBS comes and goes from the body, a woman should be tested for it during each pregnancy.
Because GBS comes and goes from the body, a woman should be tested for it during each pregnancy.
Women who are GBS-positive and get antibiotics at the right time during labor do well, and most don't pass the infection to their babies.
If you are GBS-positive and begin to go into labor, go to the hospital rather than laboring at home.
By getting IV antibiotics for at least 4 hours before delivery, you can help protect your baby against early-onset GBS disease.
Prevention Tips
You can help protect your baby from GBS infection by following these steps:
- Get tested for GBS during each pregnancy (between weeks 35–37)
- If GBS-positive, receive IV antibiotics during labor
- Aim to receive antibiotics for at least 4 hours before delivery
- Go to the hospital promptly when labor begins if you're GBS-positive
- Don't labor at home if you're GBS-positive
- Follow your healthcare provider's treatment plan
Important: If you are GBS-positive and begin to go into labor, go to the hospital rather than laboring at home. By getting IV antibiotics for at least 4 hours before delivery, you can help protect your baby against early-onset GBS disease.
Key Takeaways
Routine Testing
Pregnant women are tested for GBS between weeks 35–37 of pregnancy with a simple, painless test.
Antibiotic Treatment
GBS-positive women receive IV antibiotics during labor to prevent passing the infection to their baby.
Timing Matters
It's best to receive antibiotics for at least 4 hours before delivery for maximum protection.
Most Babies Are Fine
With proper treatment, most babies born to GBS-positive mothers do not have any problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Group B Strep (GBS)?
Group B Streptococcus (group B strep, GBS) is a type of bacteria often found in the urinary tract, digestive system, and reproductive tracts. About 1 out of every 4 women have GBS. The bacteria come and go from our bodies, and most people who have it don't know that they do. GBS usually doesn't cause health problems, but it can be passed to babies during labor and delivery.
How common is Group B Strep in pregnant women?
About 1 out of every 4 pregnant women (25%) have GBS. It's a common bacteria that can come and go from the body, which is why women are tested for it during each pregnancy.
How is Group B Strep diagnosed during pregnancy?
Pregnant women are routinely tested for GBS late in pregnancy, usually between weeks 35 and 37. The test is simple, inexpensive, and painless. It involves using a large cotton swab to collect samples from the vagina and rectum. These samples are tested in a lab, with results usually available in 1 to 3 days.
What does it mean to be GBS-positive?
If a test finds GBS, the woman is said to be "GBS-positive." This means only that she has the bacteria in her body — not that she or her baby will become sick from it. With proper treatment during labor, most babies born to GBS-positive mothers do not have any problems.
How is Group B Strep treated during pregnancy?
If a woman tests positive for GBS, she will receive intravenous (IV) antibiotics during labor to kill the bacteria. Doctors usually use penicillin, but can give other medicines if a woman is allergic to it. It's best to receive antibiotics for at least 4 hours before delivery to help prevent the spread of GBS to the baby.
What are the symptoms of GBS disease in babies?
Newborns and infants with GBS disease might show signs such as fever, feeding problems, breathing problems, irritability or fussiness, inactivity or limpness, and trouble keeping a healthy body temperature. Babies with GBS disease can develop serious problems like pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis.
What are early-onset and late-onset GBS disease?
Early-onset infections happen during the first week of life, with babies often showing symptoms within 24 hours of birth. Late-onset infections develop weeks to months after birth. Antibiotics during labor help prevent early-onset disease, but no method has yet been found to prevent late-onset disease, which is not well understood.
What if I go into labor before being tested for GBS?
If you go into labor prematurely before being tested for GBS, or if you haven't been tested and your water breaks 18 or more hours before delivery, or if you have a fever during labor, doctors will give you antibiotics during labor as a precaution. They may also give antibiotics if you had a GBS bladder infection during pregnancy or had a baby before with GBS disease.
How can I prevent passing GBS to my baby?
If you are GBS-positive and begin to go into labor, go to the hospital rather than laboring at home. By getting IV antibiotics for at least 4 hours before delivery, you can help protect your baby against early-onset GBS disease. Women who get antibiotics at the right time during labor do well, and most don't pass the infection to their babies.
Will I be tested for GBS in future pregnancies?
Yes, because GBS comes and goes from the body, a woman should be tested for it during each pregnancy, even if she tested negative in previous pregnancies. The test is routine and happens between weeks 35 and 37 of pregnancy.
Important Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your healthcare provider or obstetrician for personalized guidance regarding Group B Strep testing, treatment, and prevention during pregnancy and labor.
GBS testing and treatment are standard parts of prenatal care. Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations for testing and treatment to help protect your baby's health. If you have concerns about GBS or notice any signs of infection in your newborn, contact your healthcare provider immediately.