Group B Strep Infection in Pregnancy: Signs and Care

GBS can live in the vagina or bowel without making you ill. That is carriage. An infection can occur when bacteria are found in urine or another body site together with symptoms or clinical findings. Urinary infection may bring burning when passing urine, needing to pass urine often, lower abdominal discomfort, fever, or feeling unwell, although pregnancy itself can alter urinary symptoms.

A GBS result does not tell you that your baby has an infection. The maternity team considers your symptoms, examination, urine findings, and pregnancy stage. A newborn who becomes unwell may need prompt assessment because early infection can progress quickly.

Tell your doctor or maternity team about fever, painful urination, unusual back or side pain, worsening pelvic discomfort, or a sudden change in how you feel. They may request a urine sample or other tests and prescribe an antibiotic that is appropriate for pregnancy. Take prescribed treatment exactly as directed and report a reaction such as rash, swelling, or breathing trouble.

Even after a treated infection, your birth record may need a GBS note. Ask how the infection affects labour planning and whether your newborn will need observation after birth. Avoid self-treating with pharmacy medicines without checking their pregnancy suitability.

Seek urgent maternity or emergency care for a high fever, shaking chills, confusion, faintness, difficulty breathing, severe back or abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, or reduced fetal movement. Contact your maternity unit if your waters break or labour begins, especially if you have had GBS in urine or a previous GBS-related newborn illness.

Ask: Does my result show carriage or infection? Was a urine culture needed? Which warning signs should make me return? Will this finding change antibiotics during labour or newborn checks?