What to Expect During Labor If You Are GBS+
Most American obstetricians and midwives will do a screening between 36 and 38 weeks of pregnancy to see if there is an active colony of Group Beta Strep (GBS) around your vagina and anus. This is typically done at a standard prenatal office visit. Occasionally, some care providers will also test urine earlier in the pregnancy for the precense of GBS. If this bacteria is found to be present during any screening you will be considered GBS+ at the time of labor and birth. If you go into labor before 37 weeks then you will also likely be treated for GBS even if you have not yet been screened.
The presence of this bacteria may change a few things for you about your labor and birth. Typically this means you will be given an antibiotic through your IV every 4 hours that you are in labor until your baby is born. The antibiotic that is typically given is penicillin but there are alternatives if you are allergic to penicillin. The antibiotic typically takes about 40-45 minutes via IV to get a dose into your system. You are still able to move about during this time, you would just need to have your IV pole travel with you. Once the dose is fully administered, you can be unhooked from the IV until it is time for your next dose.
If your water breaks before you are in labor or before you go to the hospital, you will need to call your care provider. Most care providers will want you to come to the hospital soon after your water breaks. It is considered best practice to treat GBS+ folks in labor by administering at least 2 doses of antibiotics before the birth of the baby. If your baby is born before 2 doses are administered you will likely stay in the hospital an additional day so your baby can be more closely monitored for any signs of infection.
If you are being induced your provider may plan to break your water as part of the induction plan. They will likely make sure you have had at least one dose of the antibiotic before they do this. If this is your 2nd or 3rd+ baby, then they may wait to break your water until the 2nd dose is either underway or has been fully administered.
Once your baby is born the hospital staff will monitor the baby’s vitals to watch for any potential signs of infection. Once you and the baby are discharged from the hospital, most pediatricians will want to see your baby in their office the day after you get home from the hospital. Again, this is so a care provider can monitor them closely for any signs of infection.