When do they check for gbs

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To find out more, visit the cookies section of our privacy policy. What is group B streptococcus GBS? What does the screening test involve? What are the risk factors for transmission of GBS to my baby? These include: Starting labour or rupture of membranes before 37 weeks gestation Your membranes rupture during labour at full term, and the labour it is likely to last more than 18 hours You have an unexplained, mild fever during labour You have previously had a baby with a GBS infection You have had GBS detected in your urine or have had a bladder infection caused by GBS What if I test positive for GBS?

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If you go into labor earlier than 36 weeks, you may be tested at that time. For a swab test , you will lie on your back on an exam table. Your health care provider will use a small cotton swab to take a sample of cells and fluids from your vagina and rectum. For a urine test , you will most likely be told to use the "clean catch method" to ensure your sample is sterile. It includes the following steps. For a blood test , a health care professional will use a small needle to take a blood sample from your baby's heel.

After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. Your baby may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. A spinal tap , also known as a lumbar puncture, is a test that collects and looks at spinal fluid, the clear liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. During the procedure:. There is no risk to you from a swab or urine test. Your baby may have slight pain or bruising after a blood test, but that should go away quickly.

Your baby will likely feel some pain after a spinal tap, but that shouldn't last too long. There is also a small risk of infection or bleeding after a spinal tap.

If you are pregnant and results show you have GBS bacteria, you will be given antibiotics intravenously directly to your veins during labor, at least four hours before delivery. This will prevent you from passing the bacteria to your baby. Taking antibiotics earlier in your pregnancy is not effective, because the bacteria can grow back very quickly. It's also more effective to take antibiotics through your vein, rather than by mouth. You may not need antibiotics if you are having a planned delivery by Cesarean section C-section.

During a C-section, a baby is delivered through the mother's abdomen rather than vaginally. But you still should be tested during pregnancy because you may go into labor before your scheduled C-section.

If your baby's results show a GBS infection, he or she will be treated with antibiotics. If your provider suspects a GBS infection, he or she may treat your baby before test results are available.

This is because GBS can cause serious illness or death. If you have questions about your results or your baby's results, talk to your health care provider. Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. Strep B is one type of strep bacteria. Group B strep is normally harmless and most people will not realise they have it. It's usually only a problem if it affects: pregnant woman — it could spread to the baby young babies — it can make them very ill elderly people or those who are already very ill — it can cause repeated or serious infections This page focuses on group B strep in pregnancy and babies.

Group B strep in pregnancy Group B strep is common in pregnant women and rarely causes any problems. Risks in pregnancy If you have group B strep while you're pregnant: your baby will usually be healthy there's a small risk it could spread to your baby during labour and make them ill — this happens in about 1 in 1, pregnancies there's an extremely small risk you could miscarry or lose your baby What to do if you're worried If you're worried about group B strep, speak to your midwife or GP for advice.

Talk to them about the risks to your baby and ask their advice about whether to get tested. Find out more about getting tested for group B strep on the Group B Strep Support website What happens if you have group B strep If tests find group B strep, or you've had a baby that's been affected by it before, you may need extra care and treatment.

You may be advised to: speak to your midwife about your birth plan — they may recommend giving birth in hospital contact your midwife as soon as you go into labour or your waters break have antibiotics into a vein during labour — this can significantly reduce the risk of your baby getting ill stay in hospital for at least 12 hours after giving birth so your baby can be monitored — this is not always necessary Group B strep in babies If you had group B strep during pregnancy, there's a small risk it could spread to your baby and make them very ill.

They'll be given antibiotics into a vein if they develop symptoms.