While Group B Strep is common and often doesn’t cause harm to the mother, it can be risky for your baby if transmitted during labor. Group B Strep screening helps identify if you are carrying the bacteria, so you can take appropriate steps to protect your baby.

At United Wellness, we recommend this screening for all pregnant women between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. If the test shows that you carry Group B Strep, we can provide antibiotics during labor to reduce the risk of passing the bacteria to your baby.

The Group B Strep test is quick, easy, and typically involves two swabs:

1. Vaginal Swab – A small cotton swab is gently inserted into the vagina to collect a sample.

2. Rectal Swab – Another swab is used to take a sample from the rectum.

The procedure is painless and takes just a few minutes. There’s no need for any special preparation before the test.

Understanding Your Results

Once the swab samples are collected, they will be sent to the lab for testing. The results typically come back within a few days. If the test is positive for Group B Strep, we’ll discuss the appropriate steps with you, including the use of antibiotics during labor to protect your baby.

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