Group B Streptococcus is a bacteria which can be found in our bodies, most commonly in the vagina and rectum. To us it is completely harmless however it can cause problems for a baby during a vaginal delivery.

Most women will have Group B Strep bacteria present in their bodies at one time or another and around 25% of pregnant women in the UK have it. It can dissappear before labour but if still present at the point of labour and delivery and not properly managed it can lead to early onset Group B Strep infection in your baby.

Some babies who contract the infection will develop septiceamia, pneumonia or meningitis. Ultimately this may be fatal.

If you have been tested positive for GBS in your final weeks of pregnancy or have previously had a baby that contracted the GBS infection then your midwife or doctor will probably offer you antibiotics during your labour to help protect your baby.

Unfortunately a Group B Strep test is not offered routinely in the UK however you can discuss it with your midwife and request a test. The test is done by taking then testing 2 swabs (1 vaginal and 1 rectal). Tests can be ordered privately over the internet then sent off to a lab for testing. The test should be done at 35 - 37 weeks of gestation and takes around 3 weeks to be returned.

Many companies send the test for free and you just have to pay around £30 - £40 for the lab fees. If you test positive then IV antibiotics should be administered from the point you go into labour or your waters break.