Pregnancy comes with its own set of challenges that have expectant mothers on high alert for nine months. Learning you have Group B Streptococcus (GBS) can add another layer of concern and fear. With many questions swirling around in your head — What does this mean for my baby and me? What treatments are available? What are the risks? — we’re here to help put the little voice inside you to rest.
We’ve broken down information that can help keep you and your little one safe and ease some of your worries. This article will help you understand what GBS is, recognize the signs and symptoms, and learn what options are available.
What Is GBS?
GBS, also referred to as Group B Streptococcus, is a common bacterial infection affecting both men and women.4 It usually lives in either the lower part of the digestive system, the urinary tract, or the reproductive tract.5,6 In pregnant women, the infection is typically located in the vagina or rectum.4,5 On rare occasions, GBS can lead to additional infections throughout the body, such as the blood, bladder, bones, lungs, or skin.6
While moms-to-be shouldn’t immediately go into panic mode, it’s important to note that those with GBS can pass it to their babies before or during birth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 1 in 4,000 babies are affected by GBS if antibiotics are administered to expectant mothers during labor. The number increases to 1 in 200 if expectant mothers don’t have antibiotics administered.1 The bacteria poses a risk to newborns and is the most common cause of serious neonatal infections, including:7,8,10,17
- Bacteremia (an infection that enters the bloodstream)3
- Meningitis (infection of the membranes and tissue that protect the brain and spinal cord)6,7
- Pneumonia (infection of the lungs)7
- Septicemia (blood poisoning)9
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of GBS?
For most healthy adults, including those who are expecting, the GBS bacteria are harmless and may not result in any symptoms.11,12,13 This is why people are often unaware that they even have the infection.
Per the CDC, in newborns, early-onset GBS symptoms occur within the first week of life (<7 days old), and late-onset occurs from the first week through three months of life (7-90 days old).2 Symptoms may include fever, difficulty feeding, difficulty breathing, irritability or lethargy, or a blueish tint to the skin.3 Infants can also experience illness from Group B Strep weeks or months after birth (late-onset) and may have a fever, difficulty feeding, coughing or congestion, drowsiness, or seizures.12
What Causes GBS?
GBS naturally lives in the body, whether in the intestines, urinary tract, or genital tract.12 Healthy adults may also be innate carriers of the bacteria and typically have it in their body temporarily, as it can come and go.14 Others might be lifelong carriers.15 The bacteria isn’t a sexually transmitted disease, so individuals won’t catch it from another person or become infected by consuming food/water or touching objects.12
According to the CDC, 1 in 4 pregnant women are carriers of the GBS bacteria.3 However, this doesn’t equate to having the infection.16 Expectant moms won’t usually become ill or experience symptoms.5,17 But they can spread GBS to their infant during a vaginal delivery if they’re exposed to (or swallow) fluids that contain the bacteria.5,11
How Is GBS Diagnosed?
All pregnant women between 36 and 38 weeks of gestation receive testing for Group B Strep.18 During their routine prenatal visit, a healthcare provider will test for the bacteria by swabbing the inside of the vagina and rectum.18,19 The swab then goes to a lab to examine if the bacteria grows. They’ll typically have results within a few days.19
Keep in mind that women receive testing for GBS every pregnancy, even if they were positive or negative in their prior gestation.19 The bacteria levels can change with each pregnancy, causing results to differ from one pregnancy to the next.20
What Treatment Is Available if I Test Positive?
The CDC recommends that pregnant women receive antibiotics (penicillin or ampicillin) intravenously during labor to help lower the risk of GBS in newborns for both vaginal and cesarean deliveries.1 They’ll receive the medicine for at least four hours before delivery to help protect their baby from contracting the bacteria.5
You cannot take antibiotics before labor as a preventative measure. They’ve been shown to be ineffective since bacteria can grow back quickly.1 If you have any drug allergies, be sure to let your healthcare provider know so they can provide an alternative medication.
Are There Any Risks if You Opt out of Treatment?
Mothers who decline antibiotics while in labor pose the risk of their newborn contracting Group B Strep during delivery due to exposure to bodily fluids.11,21 If an infant has this infection, GBS can cause serious symptoms and lead to further detrimental infections.3 Newborns who do become ill with GBS may need care in the newborn intensive care unit. Typically, they receive treatment with antibiotics through an IV. They may require additional treatment if they contract another infection (like meningitis, pneumonia, or sepsis) or if the GBS is severe.22
If you’re GBS positive, don’t feel ashamed! There are treatment options available to you before meeting your new baby. And there are treatment options after exposure if your little one develops GBS. Talk to your healthcare provider about any questions or concerns. Remember, they’re there to guide you in this journey and, ultimately, keep you and your newborn healthy.
