Sum it up
Group B strep is a normal bacteria that live in the microbiome of many people. During labor, if a pregnant woman is positive with GBS, it can be transferred to the baby.
Group B Strep in Pregnancy
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information. This post is for general informational and educational purposes only and encourage the readers to read your full disclaimer.
During pregnancy there are so many health conditions and tests that are discussed at your appointments and these might be something you are hearing for the first time in your life. It can feel overwhelming to know how to navigate all of this, especially if it’s your first pregnancy. It’s common to feel nervous about the different tests that come up when you are pregnant so let’s talk about what the Group B Strep test is all about.
What is Group B Strep?
Group B Strep (GBS) is one of many bacteria that live in the body whether you are pregnant or not. In pregnancy it can be found in the vagina or rectum and therefore has the possibility of being transferred to the baby upon delivery. About 25% of pregnant women have this bacteria and there is a 1-2% chance that the baby will be infected with GBS.
Can you prevent GBS in pregnancy?
There are things that you can try out to help prevent a positive GBS test. Of course, this is not medical advice and you should discuss with your healthcare provider before trying any of the following.
One commonly suggested way to help prevent GBS is to take a probiotic. This is because probiotics help you to have beneficial bacteria in the gut, such as Lactobacillus, that can make the vagina more acidic which doesn’t allow for an ideal place for GBS to grow. Check out Ogranic Olivia’s Not Your Average Probiotic or Flora V probiotic and get $10 off your first order if you follow this Organic Olivia referral link.
You can also try to prevent GBS by taking raw garlic. This can be done by taking garlic like it’s medicine, by chopping it up in little pieces so you don’t choke and then swallowing with water or adding it to some honey if it’s too spicy for you. Women also have inserted a clove inside their vagina.
It’s also thought that Vitamin C might be able to help prevent GBS in pregnancy. Since vitamin c can help boost your immune system it can help prevent an infection from occurring. You can of course get vitamin C from your diet or you can supplement. Oliveda has a great tincture with naturally occurring vitamin c from camu camu in it called I01 Orac and Camu Camu that can easily be added to any beverage of choice. If you prefer a powder or capsule then Perfect Supplements has a great option that’s made from acerola cherry powder, another type of natural and food based vitamin C.
Testing for GBS in Pregnancy
You will likely be tested for GBS during week 36 or 37 of pregnancy. It’s important to remember that you can accept or decline any testing you do not want to do during your pregnancy, including GBS. You or your provider will do a vaginal swab to collect the sample.
What if I test Positive for GBS?
The World Health Organization recommends that every pregnant woman who tests positive for GBS should receive IV antibiotics during labor. The antibiotics work best when given at least four hours before delivery which can help prevent about 90% of infections. But just like testing, you can also decline or accept any treatment you don’t feel comfortable with. It’s important to discuss with your midwife or doctor the impact of antibiotics for you and your baby so you can make an informed decision.
If you plan on having a cesarean then you do not need to get IV antibiotics in labor if your labor has not started and your water has not broken.
Gain confidence in your pregnancy with
How does GBS impact the baby?
The effect on the baby can be very serious. Early-onset disease can cause inflammation of the covering of the brain or spinal cord or infection of the lungs or blood.
With early-onset disease, a baby typically gets sick within 12 to 48 hours after birth. Signs of this are rapid breathing, continuous grunting, or flared nostrils. This will be noticed early on and you will be able to seek treatment right away to avoid any serious complications. Remember there is a 1-2% chance of this happening to baby if mom has GBS.
With late-onset disease, a baby gets sick between a week to a few months after birth. These signs include coughing and congestion, trouble eating, fever, drowsiness and seizures in severe cases. It’s a great idea to become familiar with newborn/baby sickness so you can decipher when something needs direct medical attention or not.
Majority of babies who contract GBS can successfully be treated with antibiotics. If severe, babies may need more extensive treatment and will need to be in the NICU.
Final thoughts
It’s important to remember that GBS is a normal part of a person’s microbiome and can be problematic only some of the time. And it’s a very small percentage, 1-2% of newborns may contract infections, from a mom who isn’t treated with antibiotics in pregnancy. As always it is up to you to decide if you want to test for GBS and if you are positive for GBS then it is up to you to decide if you want antibiotics or not. And of course there is no harm in at least trying to prevent having GBS in pregnancy by taking a probiotic, garlic or vitamin c (so long as your provider doesn’t see an issue). The best thing you can do is learn about the risks and discuss what you’re comfortable with with your midwife or doctor.
What is GBS in Pregnancy?
Pinterest Instagram Pinterest Sum it up Group B strep is a normal bacteria that live in the microbiome of many people. During labor, if a
Postpartum Meal Ideas
Pinterest Instagram Pinterest What I’m Making for Postpartum with Baby #2 This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at
Postpartum Mom Gift Guide
Pinterest Instagram Pinterest Sum it up The way that a woman feels supported and loved and taken care of after having a baby is pivotal
I created Natural and Empowered Birth because I want to help women have a positive birth experience.
I’ve always been fascinated by birth and love hearing other mama’s birth stories. Learning about how women can have a beautiful and empowering birth set me on a path to have one myself and now I want to help women have a great birthing experience too.
Talk to us
Have any questions? We are always open to talk about your business, new projects, creative opportunities and how we can help you.