GBS Awareness: Everything Expectant Michigan Families Need to Know
October is Prenatal-onset GBS Disease Recognition Month, a crucial time to focus on a common health topic for expectant parents: Group B Streptococcus (GBS). While the name sounds intimidating, understanding this bacterium is the best way to protect your newborn.
Michigan Family Doulas gives you evidence-based information, empowering you to make safe decisions about GBS.
What Exactly is GBS?
GBS stands for Group B Streptococcus, a common type of bacteria. Here is what’s important to know:
- It’s Common: Up to 1 in 4 women naturally carry the bacteria in their gastrointestinal tract and vaginas.
- It’s Normal: This bacterium is part of the body’s normal, changing flora. It is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
- It’s Harmless to Mom: The bacteria usually causes no symptoms or harm to the mother.
However, the key issue is that a baby can come into contact with the bacteria as they pass through the birth canal.
How GBS Affects Mother and Baby
For adults, the bacteria is generally benign. Newborns, however, when exposed to the bacteria can lead to serious and life-threatening infections, known collectively as GBS disease.
For the Baby (The Primary Concern):
If a newborn contracts GBS, they can develop serious conditions:
- Sepsis (blood infection)
- Pneumonia (lung infection)
- Meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord)
For this reason, the rigorous screening and treatment protocols now in place across Michigan and the U.S.
For the Mother:
While rare, GBS can sometimes cause issues for the mother, such as infections of the uterus after birth.
The Power of Prevention: Testing and Treatment
The good news is that preventing the disease is simple and highly effective!
- Testing (The Swab): Between 36 and 37 weeks of pregnancy, your healthcare provider will offer a simple swab test to check for GBS colonization.
- Treatment (The IV): If you test positive—or if your status is unknown and you have risk factors—the recommended treatment is an intravenous (IV) antibiotic (usually Penicillin) administered during labor. Receiving the antibiotic at least four hours before delivery is highly effective at preventing the baby from contracting GBS disease.
Your Doula and the GBS Protocol
This is where your Michigan Family Doula provides invaluable support. If you are positive for the bacteria and need IV antibiotics, a doula can help by:
- Supporting Informed Consent: Helping you understand the protocol and your options.
- Providing Comfort: Providing continuous comfort and distraction during the labor process, even while you are tethered to an IV pole.
- Keeping Focus: Helping you stay centered on the positive outcome: a safe and healthy start for your baby!
Learn More from Group B Strep International
We strongly encourage all expectant families to become familiar with the facts about GBS.
- To learn more about GBS disease recognition and prevention, please visit the resource endorsed by the Group B Strep International organization.
Contact Michigan Family Doulas today to discuss all your pregnancy and birth concerns, including how to prepare for your labor process.
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