Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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Pregnancy and group B strep

Group B streptococci can temporarily be present in the bowel or vagina without symptoms and are not a sexually transmitted infection. GBS can rarely pass to the baby during birth and cause serious infection. Screening and intravenous antibiotics during labour are planned according to local policy and individual risk factors.

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Group B streptococci can temporarily be present in the bowel or vagina without symptoms and are not a sexually transmitted infection. GBS can rarely pass to the baby during birth and cause serious infection. Screening and intravenous antibiotics during labour depend on local policy and individual risk factors.

  • Pregnant people who carry GBS usually have no symptoms.
  • A GBS urinary tract infection may cause burning when urinating, frequent small amounts of urine, fever or flank pain.
  • Keep your GBS result and make sure your partner and birth facility know when antibiotics should start according to your plan.
  • Call at the agreed time when contractions start or your waters break, and immediately mention that you are GBS-positive.
  • Call your local maternity team as soon as contractions start or your waters break. Tell them immediately if you are GBS-positive or previously had a baby with GBS infection.
  • For urgent GP care outside office hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediate threat to life.

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