To make sure everything is developing appropriately when you are pregnant, you will go through a variety of standard scans and lab tests, from anatomy scans to the oral glucose test. Your obstetrician will advise a group B streptococcus (GBS), or group B strep test, at the conclusion of your pregnancy (weeks 36 through week 37).
You’ve probably never heard of GBS unless you’ve already given birth. GBS is not a sexually transmitted infection and neither is overgrowth associated with a hygiene issue. It is a type of bacteria that colonizes the reproductive or urinary tract. The reason why some pregnant women have this bacteria and others do not is truly unknown to medical professionals, but they do know that it is highly common, affecting 20% to 30% of pregnant women.
Despite the fact that we are unsure of what causes GBS, it is important to test for the bacterium during pregnancy and get medical attention if you do. Your baby may be in grave danger. For the first three months of life, GBS infection is the most common cause of meningitis and blood infections in the United States. According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), GBS infections in pregnant women are responsible for 150,000 avoidable stillbirths and infant deaths globally each year.
Bacteria known as group B strep (GBS) can spread from the intestines to invade the urinary or reproductive system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that one in four American pregnant women have GBS in their bodies. Experts aren’t completely certain. GBS colonization can occur intermittently, and the majority of GBS carriers exhibit no symptoms or indications of infection. Rarely, those who have GBS colonization may experience urinary tract infection symptoms.
Risk elements linked to GBS include:
possessing several sexual partners
having oral sex between men and women
getting sex recently or frequently
employing tampons
minimal hand washing
being under 20 years of age
