Antenatal Results And Choices

ARC offers information and support to parents who are:

• Making decisions before, during and after the antenatal testing process
• Told that their unborn baby has an abnormality
• Having to make difficult decisions about continuing the pregnancy
• Having to make difficult decisions about ending the pregnancy.

Group B Streptococcus Screening Information

What is Group B Streptococcus?

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies in the UK. Most GBS infections can be prevented by giving all women with GBS intravenous antibiotics at the onset of labour, as well as to those delivering prematurely or with a history of GBS. This recommended use of antibiotics reduces the likelihood of early-onset GBS infection developing in a baby born to a woman carrying GBS at the time of delivery from around 1 in 300 to less than 1 in 6000.

Detecting a GBS carrier

Testing for GBS infection is not generally available in the NHS but is routinely undertaken at The Doctors Laboratory. Two swabs (lower vaginal and rectal) need to be cultured at 35-37 weeks’ gestation
to best predict colonization with GBS around the time of delivery.

What should be done next?

Testing for GBS needs to be included in the pregnancy and birth plan and discussed with the midwife, Obstetrician or GP with an understanding of what should happen if GBS is isolated.

Procedure for testing

Screening for GBS needs to be undertaken between 35-37 weeks. Two swabs need to be taken and accompanied by a completed request form.

Cost of GBS Screen £32.00

How to request GBS Screening Pack(s)

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