Why is Group B Strep Testing Done During Pregnancy?

As your pregnancy progresses, and you near the end, your doctor will complete a culture that tests for the Group B Strep Bacteria. You already have so many thoughts running through your mind, that you don't need anything else to be worried about, but don't fear, this test is completely routine and just one more way to ensure the health of your baby at birth. This article will cover all the details of this culture and the Group B Strep bacteria.

First of all the Group B Strep bacteria refer to a family of bacteria that is naturally occurring in up to 20% of pregnant women. This bacteria is completely harmless to a pregnant woman, but can make a new born infant very ill is the bacteria is transferred during delivery. This group of Strep bacteria lives in the intestine, rectum and vaginal walls, and you may never know you have it as it has no symptoms.

The infant may contract the bacteria as it exits the uterus via the vagina. If the bacteria is present, there is a 1 in 200 chance the infant will become ill from the bacteria. The most common effects on the infant are pneumonia or a blood infection. If the infant is going to suffer from the bacteria, the symptoms generally appear within the first week of life. The mom may also suffer from a uterine infection is the Group B strep bacteria are present during birth.

The Group B strep test is conducted between the 36^th and 39^th week of pregnancy or immediately upon pre-term labor patients. The culture collection is done simply by swabbing the vaginal and anal area. The culture swab is then sent to the lab for testing and results are returned to your doctor within a few days. If the test comes back positive, antibiotics are not given until labor has begun. This is because the bacteria will return to the intestine shortly after antibiotics are stopped so there is no use in trying to remove the bacteria prior to labor and delivery of the baby. The bacteria are completely harmless to mother and infant during pregnancy.

If your baby suffers from a Group B strep infection after birth, intravenous antibiotics will be given to the newborn infant. This almost always clears the infection and the baby is returned to a healthy state very quickly. There is a one in six chance a baby infected with the Group B strep bacteria will become very ill. There is a very rare chance of death from the infection and because of that the testing should always be completed late in your pregnancy.

There are very little chances of the infected mother who is treated with antibiotics during labor passing the Group B Strep bacteria to the infant. The bacteria are very vulnerable to simple antibiotics and can be destroyed in the digestive tract quickly and efficiently. The chances of a mother infected with Group B strep passing the bacteria to their infant after antibiotic treatment is approximately one in four thousand. These babies usually respond to antibiotics exceptionally well and suffer no permanent damage from the infection.

Group B strep bacteria can occasionally cause a bladder or urinary tract infection as well. In this occasion, antibiotics are given to clear the infection and usually repeated during labor to ensure the safe delivery of the baby. Group B strep is not a sexually transmitted disease, but naturally occurs in the digestive tract. Penicillin is the standard antibiotic administered to clear these bacteria, but there are other options if a penicillin allergy is known or suspected.

Remember, during pregnancy prenatal appointments are of utmost importance. They are especially important during the last month of pregnancy. The doctor can help you ensure a healthy baby and mother during and after delivery, so be sure to visit your doctor's office and follow all their suggestions for your pregnancy.