Five Minutes or Less for Health Weekly Tip: Pregnant? Check for Group B Strep

Group B streptococcal bacteria (also called GBS, group B strep, or baby strep) is very common and can be passed on to your baby during childbirth. Your baby can get very sick and even die if you are not tested and treated. Take a few minutes to prevent your baby from getting GBS.

• Ask your doctor for a GBS test when you are 35 to 37 weeks pregnant (in your 9th month). The test is an easy swab of the vagina and rectum that should not hurt.
• Each time you are pregnant, you need to be tested for GBS. It doesn't matter if you did or did not have this type of bacteria before; each pregnancy is different.

Learn More

• Pregnancy Information
• Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep