GBS what is it

An average of 1 in every 4 pregnant women carries GBS. GBS is the leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in newborns according to the U.S. CDC Babies can be infected during pregnancy and during the first few months of life. While, not all babies will become infected, the result for those that do can be devastating.

Expecting mothers with GBS can miscarry, have still born babies, or have their baby born prematurely. Babies with GBS are born very sick, may have lifelong handicaps or the worst they may die. Babies born to moms who test negative for GBS can be infected by group B Strep.

There are ways to protect babies from group B strep. But first we must understand what Group B Strep is. It is a type of bacteria that is naturally found in the digestive and lower reproductive tracts of both men and women. One in Four moms will carry GBS but this does not mean that they are unclean as anyone can carry GBS. It is not sexually transmitted diseease or transmitted through infecdtion and can occur on its own.

Babies can be infected by GBS before birth and up to 6 months of age. IF contacted before birth it is known as pre-natal onset. The second group occurs between birth and the first week of life this is called early onset GBS. The third group known as Late onset can occur up through babies first months. Group B strep is leading cause of meningitis and sepsis in newborns and causes over 1200 babies to become infected. There are things that you can do to protect your baby from GBS if you have questions you should ask your physician.

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