Let's Talk About Group B Strep

Group B strep is a common condition in pregnant women. Because it can pose serious risks during pregnancy, it’s important for expectant moms to be aware of group B strep and know how to recognize it.

About 25% of women have group B strep today, although many don’t know it because it rarely causes symptoms.

At Trusted Women’s Health Center in Kendall and Miami, Florida, patient-centric OB/GYN Sidiq Aldabbagh, MD, provides comprehensive care for women, including addressing important concerns like group B strep (GBS) during pregnancy. Here’s what you should know about group B strep as an expectant mom.

What is group B strep?

Group B strep is a type of bacteria that can grow within the intestines, rectum, or vagina. Although generally not a threat to adults, that changes during pregnancy.

Women can pass group B strep to their baby during childbirth, which can cause serious infections in the newborn. The good news is that you can stay on top of this risk with routine screenings and preventive care.

Group B strep screening during pregnancy

Group B strep rarely causes symptoms. However, it might cause another infection, like a urinary tract infection (UTI). In that situation, you could experience symptoms like painful urination, discolored urine, and pelvic pain.

Group B strep could also cause bone, lung, joint, and soft tissue infections, causing problems like fever and chills. Don’t ignore symptoms, and don’t wait for them to appear either. All pregnant women need group B strep screening.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends group B strep screening between weeks 36-38 of pregnancy. The simple test involves a quick swab of the vagina and rectum. We perform this test as part of your routine prenatal care.

What happens if you get group B strep while pregnant?

If you test positive for group B strep during your pregnancy, Dr. Aldabbagh recommends the best measures to prevent passing the infection to your baby during delivery.

We provide detailed instructions on what to expect during labor and delivery. Group B strep does affect your delivery plan because you’ll need antibiotics during labor, usually intravenous penicillin. If you’re allergic to penicillin, a different antibiotic can take its place.

The antibiotics protect your baby in the best way and greatly reduce the risk of group B strep complications.

In certain situations, Dr. Aldabbagh may recommend antibiotics during labor even if you haven’t tested positive for group B strep. For example, if your last baby got group B strep during labor.

If you never have a group B screening during pregnancy, Dr. Aldabbagh may prescribe antibiotics during labor if you start labor before 37 weeks, if it’s been over 18 hours since your water broke and your baby hasn’t arrived, or in other circumstances where group B strep is a possibility.

We can help you navigate group B strep during pregnancy

Understanding and managing group B strep risk is an integral part of having a healthy pregnancy. At Trusted Women’s Health Center, we’re committed to acting as a trusted partner in your prenatal care.

If you have questions about group B strep or need to book your screening, call 786-360-4334 or request an appointment using our online scheduling feature now.