Group Beta Streptococcus (GBS) is a bacteria that is present in the gastrointestinal and genital tracts of 15-40% of pregnant people. This bacteria is not harmful nor does it cause any symptoms to these individuals. However, when it is present around the time of birth, there is a chance that the baby will pick up the bacteria on the way out of the birth canal (vagina). 50% of pregnant people who are GBS positive will give the bacteria to their baby at the time of birth and 1-2% of those newborns will get sick from the bacteria. In the newborn, GBS is the leading cause of newborn infections and can result in sepsis (the body’s overreaction to a disease causing inflammation and damage), pneumonia (infection of the lungs), and meningitis (infection of the brain).
Due to this, if you’ve had a positive GBS test, you will receive IV antibiotics in labor to prevent a newborn infection. The antibiotics help by crossing the placenta and covering the baby, as well as clearing the vaginal area of the bacteria.
Treatment for GBS + individuals at the time of birth:
- Penicillin or ampicillin will be given IV every 4 hours once you are in active labor or when your water breaks (whichever one comes first)
- To be considered “treated” and therefore less likely that your baby will get the bacteria, we need the first dose we give you to be in you for at least 4 hours before birth
- If you give birth before we can get any doses in or before the 4-hour mark, it does not mean your baby will get sick from the bacteria. It does mean, however, that we will observe your baby over the next 24-48 hours for signs of infection
- If you have a penicillin allergy, your provider will discuss this in-depth with you,. Depending on your type of allergy, you may still be eligible for penicillin as it is the best treatment for the newborn in preventing a GBS infection. Additionally, your provider may also send your GBS culture for further testing to evaluate what alternative antibiotics can be given
Additional support
- Taking a probiotic once a day starting around 34-36 weeks can help to establish good gut bacteria and lower the potential side effects (including loose stools and yeast infections) from the IV antibiotics you will receive in labor.
- Breastfeeding will support your newborn’s gut in replenishing the good bacteria.
- You can also give your newborn a probiotic to support the replenishing of good bacteria.
