Group B Streptococcus

WHAT IS IT?

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacteria found in all people’s bodies. It lives in the intestines (gut) and can sometimes grow inside the rectum (bum), the birth canal (vagina) and the urinary tract (where your urine comes out). It is an opportunistic bacteria that comes and goes and is benign (not harmful) to adults and is therefore not routinely tested. It is not related to poor hygiene or from having sex with people who have this bacteria.
➢ 15% to 40% of pregnant people will have GBS in their rectum, birth canal or urinary tract at any given time. The bacteria can come and go in these areas.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

While most healthy adults do not get sick from GBS, it can make some babies very sick.

HOW IS IT TESTED?

The test is usually done late in pregnancy (around 35-37 weeks) and involves running a swab along the affected area, sending that swab to the lab, where they will test to determine whether GBS is on the skin at that time. This test can be done by the pregnant person (does not need to be done by the midwife or other health care provider). If the result is negative, no need to do anything further unless the pregnancy continues for more than 5 weeks. If the test is positive, antibiotics can be administered while in labour to reduce the chance that the baby will become sick.

BENEFITS
➢ Allows the pregnant person to have more information to guide decision making in labour to reduce risk to the fetus.

ARE THERE REASONS NOT TO TEST?
➢ Some people want to avoid testing and interventions, however, the test can be done in privacy by the pregnant person themselves, and regardless of the result, pregnant people have choice surrounding the use of antibiotics. Midwives discuss options for those clients who choose not to test or who test positive for GBS.

ALTERNATIVES
➢ None

For more information about Group B Streptococcus and treatment options, please click here.