PREGNANCY: Frequently asked questions about GBS and the GBS test What is GBS?

It is a common type of bacteria. GBS is often found in the vagina and rectum of healthy women of all races and ethnicities. In fact, about 1 in 4 women in the United States carry this type of bacteria. These bacteria can come and go naturally in the body. If you have GBS bacteria in your body, you would not feel sick or have any symptoms. GBS is usually not harmful to you. Other people in the house, including kids, are not at risk of getting sick from GBS. GBS can be passed on to babies during childbirth, and that’s dangerous for them. What is the GBS test? This a test that is recommended for all pregnant women to get at 35–37 weeks to find out if they have GBS bacteria in their body. Should I be tested for GBS before I am 35 weeks pregnant? The GBS test is recommended between 35–37 weeks of pregnancy. If you think you might go into labor early, talk with your doctor or midwife about making a GBS plan. Is there any risk to getting the GBS test? There are no risks to being tested for GBS. How does the doctor or midwife do the GBS test? The test is an easy swab of the vagina and rectum that should not hurt. What does it mean to “test positive” for GBS? If you test positive, that does not mean you have an infection. It only means that you have these bacteria in your body. Testing positive for GBS does not mean that you are not clean. It does not mean that you have a sexually transmitted disease. The bacteria are not spread from food, sex, water, or anything that you might have come into contact with. I tested positive. Why isn’t my doctor or midwife giving me antibiotics immediately? The antibiotic is only given during labor — you do not need to worry about getting it before you go into labor. Taking the medicine before you begin labor does not prevent the bacteria from spreading to your baby during childbirth. This is because the bacteria can grow back very fast. How will my doctor or midwife protect my baby? You will get antibiotics during labor by IV (through the vein). Your baby’s doctor will check on the baby once he or she is born. The baby likely won’t need extra antibiotics or other medicine after birth, unless the doctor tells you that they are needed. Will I need a GBS test only for my first pregnancy, or for every pregnancy? Each time you are pregnant, you need to be tested for GBS. It doesn’t matter if you did not have this type of bacteria before — each pregnancy is different. Can I breastfeed if I tested positive for GBS? Yes, it is safe to breastfeed if you tested positive for GBS.