Is Your Unborn Baby High Risk for Group B Strep Infection (GBS+)

Tara Carpenter, NC.

Nutrition Consultant specialized in therapeutic nutrition to heal mild to severe health conditions, esp. digestive disturbances involving yeast, bacteria, parasites, and viruses.

Group B strep (GBS) is a transient pathogenic bacterium sporadically present in the gastrointestinal tract and reproductive system. Typically, these microscopic life forms do not cause harm yet can present problems for pregnant women and growing babies.

If you test positive for a GBS infection this may mean you are a group B strep carrier rather than a definitive indication that your baby will become ill. Often, it is the babies born to moms with large amounts of GBS who are at greatest risk of becoming infected.

1 out of every 200 babies whose mother carries GBS, and not treated with antibiotics, will develop GBS disease symptoms. Left untreated the chance of a baby developing GBS infection (born to GBS+ mom) is 1 in 200. If mom receives antibiotics in labor, the odds are 1 in 4000. You can see how certain factors can put you at higher risk of delivering a baby with GBS+.

Possible Risk Factors for Babies Developing GBS+

Mom’s culture test comes back GBS+.
Mom has severe urinary tract infection in last trimester.
Baby born before 37 weeks gestation (preterm labor).
Mom’s water breaks 17+ hours before delivery.
Mom has an infection of placental tissues and amniotic fluid (chorioamnionitis).
GBS bacteria detected in mom’s urine (bacteriuria) during current/previous pregnancy.
Mom eats a highly processed/refined sugar diet (Body Ecology Diet is one way to eat to avoid GBS+).
Mom runs fever before or during labor, 100 F + (38 C +).
Baby has a sustained rapid heartbeat during labor.
Mom had prior delivery of an infant with GBS+.
Mom is carrying twins or other multiples.

May all bellies be happy!

10 Possible Ways to Avoid GBS+ in Pregnancy

References

Gardner, J. (1987). Vaginal Infections. Healing Yourself During Pregnancy. Freedom, CA.: The Crossing Press

Iannelli, V. M.D. (2004). More About Group B Strep. Retrieved from https://pediatrics.about.com/cs/commoninfections/a/group_b_strep_3.htm

Nettleman, Mary. M.D. (2009). Group B Strep Infection. Retrieved from https://www.emedicinehealth.com/group_b_strep_infection/page2_em.htm

The Group B Strep Association (n.d.). Awareness of Group B Streptococcus Infection During Pregnancy.

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