Group B Streptococcus (GBS) status:
• Done at 36 weeks (earlier if threatened preterm labour)
• Single combined culture from vagina and anorectal area - patient may do own swab after instruction
• If positive, antibiotic prophylaxis given in labour to reduce risk of neonatal GBS infection
• If negative, swab within 5 weeks of delivery, no antibiotics in labour unless indicated for maternal pyrexia, etc.
• If any GBS bacteriuria during pregnancy, treat as GBS positive (indicator of heavy colonization, no need to do vaginal-rectal swab)
• This is NOT a maternal infection: about 10-30% of women are carriers of GBS; status can change over time