Childbirth: Strep Infections During Delivery

Topic Overview

Some women carry group B streptococcus bacteria in the vagina. And for some of them, it does not cause problems. (This type of strep is not the same as the type that causes strep throat.) But a woman who has group B strep in her vagina can pass it to her baby during vaginal birth. The baby can then get an infection of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), an infection in the lungs, or an infection of the blood (sepsis).

Some babies who get severe infections caused by group B strep have brain damage, hearing loss, or blindness. Brain damage can result in cerebral palsy.

Prevention

Late in your third trimester, around 35-37 weeks gestation, your doctor is likely to check you for group B strep. If you test positive, you will get antibiotics at the onset of labour or rupture of membranes. You will also get them if you have certain risk factors for group B strep or if you aren't tested. Antibiotics make you less likely to pass group B strep to your baby.

You won't need antibiotics if you're having a planned C-section that takes place before labour has started and before your water breaks.^{footnote 1}