Do you belong to the big group of women with group B strep? Testing for group B strep will help you find out.
Group B strep (GBS) is a type of common bacteria typically found in the vaginal areas of lots of healthy women (quotes are between 10 and 35 percent of all women). It is harmless to the women who have it, but during birth it can be sent to the baby, triggering a serious infection (though only one in every 200 children born with GBS-positive moms will be affected). If you test favorable (significance you’re a carrier), you’ll be given IV antibiotics during labor– and this totally gets rid of any risk to your baby.
Who Group B Strep Testing Is For?
If you’re a GBS provider, you won’t have any symptoms (that’s a plus). But that also indicates you’re not likely to understand you’re a provider (that’s a minus– one that could potentially spell trouble for your baby come delivery). Which is why all pregnant women must be regularly tested for GBS. Women who enter into preterm labor, have premature rupture of the membranes and fever during labor are considered at risk for group B stress during pregnancy and will likely get IV antibiotics during labor.
How Group B Strep Testing Is Done?
During a pelvic test, your professional will test for group B strep during pregnancy by taking a swab of your vagina and a different swab of your anus (sorry!). The swabs will be sent to a lab for analysis.
When Group B Strep Testing Is Done During Pregnancy?
This test is typically performed in between week 35 to week 37 of pregnancy (testing before week 35 isn’t precise in forecasting who will be carrying GBS at the time of delivery). Coming quickly to a hospital near you (though not yet widely offered): A quick GBS test that can screen women during labor and offer results within the hour, which may make testing in between weeks 35 and 37 unneeded.
If your professional does not provide the GBS test during late pregnancy, you can request it, according to iytmed.com. Even if you weren’t tested however wind up in labor with particular risk factors that point to GBS, your specialist will simply treat you with IV antibiotics to be sure you do not pass the infection to your baby. If you’ve formerly delivered a baby with GBS, your specialist may likewise decide not to test you at 35 to 37 weeks and simply proceed straight to treatment during labor.
What Is Used for Group B Strep Test?
The group B strep test is carried out like a Pap smear, using vaginal and rectal swabs. (GBS can likewise appear in your urine during a regular pee-in-cup test at a prenatal checkup. If it does, it’ll be treated right away with oral antibiotics).
Is Test Dangerous for Your Baby?
There are no known dangers related to having the test for GBS. Playing it safe through testing– and, if necessary, treatment– suggests that your baby will be safe from GBS. And that’s a very good thing.
