International Group B Strep Awareness Month

July is International Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Awareness Month. GBS, or sometimes referred to as group B strep, is a type of bacteria that is naturally found in the digestive and lower reproductive tracts of both men and women. Anyone can carry GBS and it can be passed between people through body fluids and through birth. “About 1 in 5 pregnant individuals worldwide "carry" or are "colonized" with group B strep (GBS)” (Group B Strep International, n.d.).

Although it is common for pregnant women to be carriers it is still very dangerous for the health of her baby. Babies can be infected from before their birth to several months old. This is due to his/her exposure to the infection in the birth canal and his/her underdeveloped immune system. Pregnancies affected by GBS can result in miscarriages or still births. Babies that are infected during birth are at risk for sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia, bone and joint infections, and for handicaps such as blindness, deafness, and mental challenges, and cerebral palsy (Group B Strep International, n.d.).

It is so important that doctors test women for GBS in the last few weeks of their pregnancy as GBS can come and go. When I was pregnant with my second son I had a very happy, and thankfully, healthy pregnancy. However, it was not until I got to the hospital, in labor, that I found out I was positive for Strep B. 

I had never heard of Strep B before and had not had it during my first pregnancy a few years prior. I was confused and worried this would harm my baby. I had no idea what the risk factors or potential side effects were. Thankfully, the nurses tested me and were able to give me antibiotics through my IV to protect the baby from the infection before he was born. My son then received another round of antibiotics after his birth. He arrived safe and healthy due to this and never caught the infection. If GBS had not been tested for, our journey may have been very different. I might not have a sweet, wild four year old that I get to chase after. For this reason, I encourage all expectant parents to stay informed, monitor their health during pregnancy, and speak up if something doesn’t feel right. Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor about testing and ways to protect your baby.

Reference:

Group B Strep International. (n.d.). What is group B strep? 

https://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/what-is-group-b-strep.html