What is group B streptococcus screening and when is it done? A positive or negative result, antibiotics in labour and approaches that differ by country.
Group B streptococcus screening is a culture test done on a vaginal and rectal swab in the last period of pregnancy; it investigates whether you carry the GBS bacterium that can be passed to the baby during birth. This bacterium most often gives no symptoms and is not harmful to the mother; its real importance is that it can be passed to the baby during birth. A positive result means that giving antibiotics through a vein is considered once labour starts. The screening approach varies by country: while culture screening is recommended for all pregnant women in the United States, routine screening is not offered in the United Kingdom. In Turkey, the doctor who follows you plans whether and when the test will be requested.
Does being a GBS carrier mean illness?
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacterium that can be carried in the vagina or the rectum (the last part of the bowel). GBS generally gives no symptoms and is not harmful to the mother. Being a carrier is not regarded as a person's mistake or neglect.
Why is GBS important for the baby?
The bacterium can pass to the baby during labour or after the membranes have opened and can occasionally cause a serious infection in the newborn. For this reason the aim of screening is to identify carriage beforehand and to make it possible to take measures to protect the baby during birth.
How is GBS screening done?
Screening is done by culturing, in the laboratory, swabs taken from the vagina and rectum. It is important that the sample is taken correctly and that the laboratory procedure is carried out correctly.
When is GBS screening done?
Screening is planned for the last period of pregnancy, close to birth. The doctor who follows you determines the exact time.
Is screening done for everyone?
The approach on this subject differs by country. In the United States, vaginal and rectal culture screening is recommended for all pregnant women in the last period of pregnancy. In the United Kingdom, on the other hand, routine screening is not offered to all pregnant women; the country's national screening committee does not recommend universal swab screening. Even so, those who want to have the test done privately can talk about it with their midwife or doctor. In Turkey, to whom and when the test is done is planned together with the doctor who follows you.
What is done if your GBS result is positive?
A positive result shows that the bacterium is being carried; it does not mean that there is a disease. Pregnant women in whom GBS is detected are offered antibiotics through a vein when labour or the opening of the membranes starts; this antibiotic is generally of the penicillin group. Antibiotics given during pregnancy before birth do not reduce the baby's risk. For this reason do not use antibiotics on your own; the decision about medicine is made according to your doctor's plan.
Is an antibiotic for GBS needed in a planned caesarean?
In a planned caesarean section done before labour has started and before the membranes have opened, an antibiotic specific to GBS is not needed. If labour or the opening of the membranes starts, the situation is reassessed; your doctor makes this assessment.
Does a negative result completely rule out carriage?
A negative result does not mean that carriage is completely ruled out; a negative swab result does not exactly rule out carriage.
Does your baby need to be monitored after birth?
In pregnant women in whom GBS has been detected, birth in hospital and monitoring of the baby for a time after birth may be recommended. Monitoring of the baby after birth depends on your doctor's assessment.
What information should you share when you see your doctor?
- If GBS was detected positive before, or if your earlier baby was affected by GBS, report this.
- Tell them if you have a medicine allergy, particularly an allergy to antibiotics of the penicillin group.
- Ask whether a GBS culture is planned in this pregnancy, when it will be taken and how the result will be communicated to you.
- If your result is positive, find out what will happen during birth.
- If a caesarean is planned, ask how the antibiotic subject will be handled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GBS sexually transmitted, and does my partner need to be assessed too?
No. GBS is not a sexually transmitted infection; carriage is common and should not be linked to a person's behaviour. You can ask your doctor whether your partner needs to be assessed.
I was GBS positive in my earlier pregnancy; will antibiotics be needed again in this pregnancy?
Antibiotics through a vein in labour are offered to pregnant women in whom GBS has been detected. In addition, they may also be offered to those whose earlier baby was affected by GBS, who show signs of infection in labour or whose labour starts early. If only carriage was detected in the earlier pregnancy, your doctor decides whether the test will be repeated in this pregnancy and the antibiotic plan; the approach varies by country.
GBS came out in urine or in a swab taken for another reason; what does it mean?
GBS is often detected in a urine or vaginal swab test taken for another reason. Your doctor assesses how such a result will be reflected in the antibiotic plan at birth; pass the result on to your doctor together with its report.
What benefit does the antibiotic given at birth bring the baby?
When GBS is detected, the antibiotic given through a vein during birth markedly reduces the risk of the baby becoming ill. How the practice is planned according to the course of birth depends on your doctor.
Does being GBS positive mean I am ill?
No. A positive result shows that you carry the bacterium. Carriage most often gives no symptoms and should not be interpreted as a mistake or neglect on your part.
Is blood taken for the screening?
No. GBS screening is done by culturing vaginal and rectal swabs in the laboratory.
Is GBS screening done for everyone in every country?
No. While culture screening is recommended for all pregnant women in the United States, routine screening is not offered in the United Kingdom. In Turkey, the doctor who follows you determines the plan.
If my GBS result is negative, is carriage completely ruled out?
No. A negative swab result does not exactly rule out carriage.
With a positive result, should I start antibiotics on my own during pregnancy?
No. Antibiotics given during pregnancy before birth do not reduce the baby's risk. The decision about medicine is made according to your doctor's birth plan.
Is a GBS antibiotic needed in every planned caesarean?
No. In a planned caesarean done before labour has started and before the membranes have opened, an antibiotic specific to GBS is not needed. If labour or the opening of the membranes starts, your doctor reassesses.
Should I tell them beforehand that I have a penicillin allergy?
Yes. Tell your doctor in particular about an allergy to antibiotics of the penicillin group. You can discuss beforehand the plan to be applied during birth.
Could monitoring of my baby be considered after birth?
Yes. In pregnant women in whom GBS has been detected, monitoring of the baby for a time after birth may be recommended. Your doctor assesses the necessity.
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