Know All About Group B Strep During Pregnancy
Toward the end of the third trimester of my first pregnancy, I got a big fright. I had tested positive for the bacteria, Group B Strep (GBS).
I had no idea what this was or how it would affect my baby. I was worried that maybe it was some kind of sexually transmitted disease, but my healthcare provider soon put my mind at ease.
She told me that it’s a very common bacteria that’s found in the rectum or cervix of women. Although it can cause meningitis in newborns, it is very easily prevented with a dose of antibiotics administered intravenously during labor.
I was given intravenous antibiotics during labor and went on to have a healthy baby boy. I was also treated for group B strep during my next two deliveries.
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Know All About Group B Strep During Pregnancy
A lot of healthy people carry Group B Strep bacteria in their bodies. Strep bacteria is not a sexually transmitted disease. You may carry this bacteria for just a short time, it could go away and come back, or you may always have it.
Group B Strep can be spread to a baby during a vaginal delivery.
People with chronic health conditions can develop a more serious infection from Group B bacteria, although the reason for this happening in some people and not others, is not yet known.
According to the CDC, these are the facts on Group B Strep. It happens to be the leading cause of meningitis in newborns.
Around one-quarter of pregnant women test positive for it. However such diseases can be prevented by administering intravenous antibiotics during labor.
If a pregnant woman who tested positive for group B strep gets antibiotics during labor, the chances of her baby developing group B strep disease will be 1 out of 4,000, whereas, for a woman with group B strep who does not get treatment, the chances are 1 out of 200.
As always, please speak with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about the health of you and your baby.
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