WHAT EXACTLY IS GBS IN PREGNANCY?

June 30, 2024 /

Written by Lucy Hall

Pregnancy is mostly a wonderful and exciting experience, it’s filled with excitement and joy, knowing that the new life you are growing inside of you is going to be joining your family very soon. Being pregnant also comes with some difficulties and concerns that you may not necessarily have known about before you decided to embark on this crazy journey.

One concern that you’ll need to be aware of is Group B Streptococcus, which is also known as GBS. GBS is a type of bacteria that is commonly found in the digestive and reproductive tracts of many healthy adults.

However GBS in pregnancy can be a little tricky and end up causing some significant risks to a newborn if the mother is a carrier. GBS can unfortunately be passed on to the baby during labor and delivery and occurs because the baby during the birthing process, comes into contact with the mothers genital and rectal areas.

If GBS does happen to infect a newborn it can cause some serious infections.  These infections can include: Pneumonia, Sepsis or Meningitis. Should your baby develop any of these infections, they can be life-threatening and could end up resulting in long-term health problems for your child.

There are a number of factors that increase a woman’s likelihood of carrying GBS during pregnancy, these can include having had a baby with GBS in a previous pregnancy, being +37 weeks pregnant or suffering from some form of a urinary tract infection due to GBS.  Women that have various other medical conditions including HIV and diabetes could also be at greater risk for GBS.

During pregnancy it is recommended that pregnant women are screened for GBS.  This screening test is the most effective way to prevent GBS complications with your newborn. Sometime between the 35th to 37th week of pregnancy you should have a  GBS screening test scheduled. Your healthcare provider will use a cotton swab to collect a sample from the vagina and rectum that will then be sent to a laboratory to determine if GBS is present.

Should a screening test return a positive result for GBS, a course of antibiotics will be administered through IV intervention during labor. This treatment option is known to be very successful and can significantly reduce the risk of GBS infections in newborn as it assists in preventing the bacteria being spread to the baby during the birthing process.

While GBS infections in newborns is generally uncommon, it can have serious consequences if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Because GBS is a fast acting bacteria,  it can make babies very ill within just a few hours of symptoms presenting. Premature babies are at a higher risk of being infected than those that are full-term, this is because a premature baby’s immune system is not fully developed.

There are two types of GBS infection that babies are at risk of, it can either early or late onset GBS infections.

Early-Onset Infections usually occur within the first 7 days of a baby’s birth. Most babies often show symptoms within 24 hours of being born.

Late-Onset Infections are comparatively low and it is not as well understood as early-onset infections. Babies will usually show symptoms of illness after the 1st week of their birth.

Some symptoms to watch out for that can indicate your baby has been infected with GBS may include:

  • Breathing Problems – This Can Including Noisy Breathing, Difficulty Breathing Or Breathing Too Quickly
  • Being Overly Sleepy
  • Not Interested In Feeding
  • Vomiting
  • Having Trouble Keeping Their Temperature At The Right Level (Being Too Hot Or Too Cold)
  • Having Pale And Or Mottled Skin Tone
  • Having Floppy Arms And Legs

Should you notice any of these symptoms either in hospital or once you arrive home, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately.

GBS may seem a little scary but by discussing GBS screening and prevention with your healthcare provider,  you are taking an important step to help you in preparation for your little one’s arrival. Having a plan put in place to ensure that your baby is protected and receives the necessary treatment should it be required will give you peace of mind.

A healthy pregnancy and delivery is the main objective for expectant mothers. Make sure that you have scheduled all your prenatal appointments, are maintaining a healthy diet as well as staying up-to-date on recommended vaccinations needed in pregnancy, this can assist you in ensuring that your baby enters the world as safely as possible!