I talked 

with my doctor 

and made a 

plan for labor. 

It helps put 

my mind 

at ease to be 

prepared. 

GROUP B STREP (GBS) 

Get tested for group B strep (GBS) 

If you are pregnant, talk with your 

doctor or midwife about getting a group 

B strep (GBS) test when you are 35–37 

weeks pregnant. 

If you have GBS, your baby can get very 

sick and even die if you are not tested 

and treated. 

Talk to your healthcare provider about the test for GBS. 

If you think you might have a C-section or go into labor early, 

talk with your doctor or midwife about making a GBS plan. 

Talk with your doctor about getting tested for GBS. 

If you test negative for GBS, you don’t need to do anything more. 

❚ Talk with your doctor about a plan for your labor. 

You will get IV antibiotics (medicine through the vein) during 

labor. This will help keep your baby safe from GBS. 

Are you allergic to penicillin or other antibiotics? Make sure to 

tell your doctor or midwife about any allergic reactions you have 

had. If you are allergic to penicillin, other antibiotics can be used 

during labor. 

Continue your regular check-ups, and always call your doctor or

midwife if you have any problems. 

❚❚

❚❚

❚

When your water breaks or when you go into labor 

❚❚

❚❚

❚❚

Go to the hospital. The antibiotics work best if you get them at 

least 4 hours before you deliver. 

Tell the labor and delivery staff that you are GBS positive. 

Tell the labor and delivery staff if you are allergic to penicillin. 

Remind the staff that you have not had a GBS test. 

Your action plan for keeping your baby safe from GBS 

Before 35 weeks 

At 35 to 37 weeks 

(your ninth month 

of pregnancy) 

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE 

If you go into labor, or 

your water breaks, but 

you haven’t had the 

GBS test 

National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases 

Division of Bacterial Diseases 
 

 

PAGE 2 

If you tested positive for GBS, you will need to get to the hospital right away 

when your water breaks or you go into labor. 

Frequently asked questions about GBS 

and the GBS test 

What is GBS? 

It is a common type of bacteria. GBS is often found in 

the vagina and rectum of healthy women of all races and 

ethnicities. In fact, about 1 in 4 women in the United 

States carry this type of bacteria. These bacteria can come 

and go naturally in the body. 

If you have GBS bacteria in your body, you would not feel 

sick or have any symptoms. GBS is usually not harmful to 

you. Other people in the house, including kids, are not at 

risk of getting sick from GBS. 

GBS can be passed on to babies during childbirth, and 

that’s dangerous for them. 

What is the GBS test? 

This a test that is recommended for all pregnant women 

to get at 35–37 weeks to find out if they have GBS 

bacteria in their body. 

Should I be tested for GBS before I am 35 weeks pregnant? 

The GBS test is recommended between 35–37 weeks of 

pregnancy. If you think you might go into labor early, talk 

with your doctor or midwife about making a GBS plan. 

Is there any risk to getting the GBS test? 

There are no risks to being tested for GBS. 

How does the doctor or midwife do the GBS test? 

The test is an easy swab of the vagina and rectum that 

should not hurt. 

What does it mean to “test positive” for GBS? 

If you test positive, that does not mean you have an 

infection. It only means that you have these bacteria in 

your body. Testing positive for GBS does not mean that 

you are not clean. It does not mean that you have a 

sexually transmitted disease. The bacteria are not spread 

from food, sex, water, or anything that you might have 

come into contact with. 

I tested positive. Why isn’t my doctor or midwife giving me 

antibiotics immediately? 

The antibiotic is only given during labor — you do not 

need to worry about getting it before you go into labor. 

Taking the medicine before you begin labor does not 

prevent the bacteria from spreading to your baby during 

childbirth. This is because the bacteria can grow back 

very fast. 

How will my doctor or midwife protect my baby? 

You will get antibiotics during labor by IV (through 

the vein). 

Your baby’s doctor will check on the baby once he or she 

is born. The baby likely won’t need extra antibiotics or 

other medicine after birth, unless the doctor tells you that 

they are needed. 

Will I need a GBS test only for my first pregnancy, or for 

every pregnancy? 

Each time you are pregnant, you need to be tested for 

GBS. It doesn’t matter if you did not have this type of 

bacteria before — each pregnancy is different. 

Can I breastfeed if I tested positive for GBS? 

Yes, it is safe to breastfeed if you tested positive for GBS. 

Find more information on GBS at 

www.cdc.gov/groupbstrep. 

Talk to your doctor or midwife 

if you have any questions. 

CS260896-A 

Nov 2015 

GROUP B STREP