Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Q&A - by Colleen Sahy, MS,CNM

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Group B Streptococcus (GBS)

Written by: Colleen Sahy, MS, CNM

	Dear Colleen, What is GBS and why am I being tested for it?

	Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of many bacteria that usually cause no significant infections. It is normally present in the bowel, and 10 to 20 percent of women will also test positive for it vaginally. Most often they have no symptoms. During pregnancy

the bacteria can be passed from the mother to the fetus. The time when this would be most likely would be during labor. The majority of infants that get GBS from their mothers have no problems. However, 1 to 2 percent of the time the baby will get sick, and this can be a life threatening infection. Therefore, many providers choose to test patients at 35-37 weeks of pregnancy by culturing the vagina, perineum, and rectum. If GBS is found, the patient is usually then treated with antibiotics during labor. This reduces the likelihood of the baby developing GBS sepsis.

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