Group B strep
Abbreviation: GBS
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria that lives harmlessly in the digestive and vaginal tracts of roughly one in four adults. During pregnancy it causes no symptoms, but if passed to a baby during birth it can cause serious newborn infections including sepsis, meningitis, and pneumonia. That is why doctors screen for it late in pregnancy, typically around 35 to 37 weeks, using a vaginal and rectal swab. If you test positive, you will be offered intravenous antibiotics during labor to greatly reduce the risk of passing the bacteria to your baby. Most GBS-positive mothers have healthy babies without any complications.
What This Means for You
Understanding Group B strep is an important part of your third trimester journey. During pregnancy, your care team will use this term regularly. Being familiar with it means you can ask better questions and feel more confident at your antenatal appointments.
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A positive GBS result does not mean anything is wrong with your health or your baby, and it does not require treatment before labor begins. Let the labor ward team know your GBS status when you arrive so antibiotics can be started promptly, ideally at least four hours before delivery.
Related Terms
Source: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/dictionary
Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
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