Your Pregnancy, Week 35

It’s test time again. But don’t worry. The screening for Group B streptococcus (GBS) is simple and painless.

GBS are bacteria found in the rectum and lower genital tract of about 25 percent of women. GBS rarely causes symptoms or problems in women before pregnancy. But it can cause severe infections in newborns. 

For the test, your healthcare provider will use a sterile swab to collect a sample from your vagina and rectum. This sample is then sent to a lab for testing. If you test positive for GBS, you’ll receive antibiotics through an IV during labor. The antibiotics help stop the bacteria from passing to your baby.