Quick read
Key points
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Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacterium that many people carry in their gut or vagina without any symptoms or problems. In most cases, it causes no issues at all, but if present in the vagina during labour, there's a small chance it can be passed to the baby, which can occasionally cause a serious infection in newborns.
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Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
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You have specific risk factors, such as a previous baby affected by GBS infection, or GBS found in a current urine test
01 · Know
What is Group B Streptococcus (Group B Strep)?
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacterium that many people carry in their gut or vagina without any symptoms or problems. In most cases, it causes no issues at all, but if present in the vagina during labour, there's a small chance it can be passed to the baby, which can occasionally cause a serious infection in newborns.
Testing and preventive antibiotics during labour for those found to carry GBS significantly reduce this risk. Not everyone is routinely tested for GBS in pregnancy in Ireland, but it's worth discussing with your maternity team, particularly if you have specific risk factors.
02 · Understand
Clinical context
Carrying GBS is common and not a sign of poor hygiene
GBS is naturally present in many people's bodies without causing any illness — carrying it isn't related to hygiene and doesn't need treatment outside of the specific precautions taken around labour and birth.
03 · Act
When to Discuss GBS with Your Maternity Team
- 1You have specific risk factors, such as a previous baby affected by GBS infection, or GBS found in a current urine test
- 2You'd like to discuss testing options for GBS during your pregnancy
- 3You go into labour prematurely or your waters break early, as this affects GBS risk assessment
- 4Your newborn shows signs of being unwell, such as poor feeding, breathing difficulty, or being unusually floppy — seek prompt medical assessment
04 · Prevent & manage
Practical steps
Preventive Antibiotics During Labour Are Highly Effective
If you're found to carry GBS or have relevant risk factors, antibiotics given during labour significantly reduce the risk of passing the infection to your baby.
- 1Discuss GBS testing or risk factors with your maternity team.This helps determine whether preventive antibiotics during labour are recommended for you.
- 2Inform your maternity team promptly if your waters break or labour starts early.This affects how GBS risk is assessed and managed.
- 3Take preventive antibiotics during labour if recommended.These are highly effective at reducing the risk to your baby.
- 4Monitor your newborn closely in the days after birth.Report any signs of your baby being unwell promptly to your care team.
Evidence
References
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
- HSE: Group B streptococcus (group B strep) ↗
Medical information notice
Health education, not individual medical advice
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
BarnMD Bottom Line
GBS is common and usually harmless, and effective preventive measures during labour significantly reduce any risk to newborns.
Discussing your specific risk factors with your maternity team helps determine whether preventive antibiotics are recommended for your labour.