Group B Strep or Group Beta Streptococcus (GBS) is a harmless bacteria that can colonize in the vagina as well as the gastrointenstinal and respiratory tracts. Approximately, 25% of pregnant women have GBS in the vagina or rectum. GBS can become hazardous if it colonizes in the urinary tract and causes a urinary tract infection or if it colonizes on the skin of a newborn. This is why all women are screened at 35-37 weeks for the presence of GBS in their vagina and rectum. If a woman is positive for GBS, she will be given antibiotics through an IV during labor to prevent the bacteria from being able to colonize on the newborn's skin.
Screening
All pregnant women are screened at 35–37 weeks of gestation unless preterm labor is suspected. Women are screened by obtaining a single swab (cotton tip) specimen from the lower vagina and rectum.
Treatment
If a woman's culture comes back positive for GBS, she will be treated propholactically in labor with IV antibootics to prevent the bacterial from colonizing on her newborn's skin. Common antibotics useed are penicillin and ampicillin. Clindamyicin may be used if a patient is allergic to penicillin. Be sure to notify your provider of all medicataion allergies. If a cesearean is planned, she will not need antibotics for GBS.
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