Five Minutes or Less for Health Weekly Tip: Pregnant? Check for Group B Strep
Group
B streptococcal bacteria (also called GBS, group B strep, or baby strep)
is very common and can be passed on to your baby during childbirth. Your
baby can get very sick and even die if you are not tested and treated.
Take a few minutes to prevent your baby from getting GBS.
- Ask your doctor for a GBS test when you are 35 to 37 weeks pregnant (in your 9th month). The test is an easy swab of the vagina and rectum that should not hurt.
- If you’ve already been tested for GBS, ask your doctor for the results. If you’ve tested positive for it, your doctor can give you medicine to keep it from spreading to your baby.
Learn More
Protect Your Baby from Group B Step
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Content Source: CDC Office
of Women’s Health
Page last modified: July 28, 2009
Page last reviewed: July 28, 2009
Page last modified: July 28, 2009
Page last reviewed: July 28, 2009