I’ve seen some controversy over whether or not GBS screening is necessary during pregnancy - any good resources that explains this simply? For context, I’m under GP care in BC.
Hi!
There’s a lot of discussion online about Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening. The good news is that the recommendation for routine screening is based on evidence and is standard care in BC.
GBS is a common type of bacteria that many healthy adults carry naturally in their intestines or vagina. It usually doesn’t cause any symptoms or problems for the pregnant person, but it can be passed to the baby during labour and birth, where it can cause serious infections.
In BC, pregnant people are typically offered a simple vaginal/rectal swab between 35–37 weeks of pregnancy. If the test is positive, antibiotics are offered during labour to reduce the risk of the baby developing a GBS infection.
These are excellent resources if you’re interested:
Your doctor will likely discuss the GBS swab with you as you approach 35-37 weeks of pregnancy!