Some women carry Group B Strep (GBS) bacteria in their vagina – you may not even know it, as the bacteria don’t usually cause problems or symptoms. However, if your baby catches the infection, he could become seriously ill.

About 0.1% of babies born each year develop the infection and sadly it causes around 100 of them to die.

Your baby is more likely to develop a GBS infection if:

• You have previously had a baby infected with GBS.
• You go into labour before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
• Your waters break before 37 weeks (with or without other signs of labour).
• Your waters break more than 18 to 24 hours before you have your baby.
• You have a raised temperature during labour.
• GBS has been found in your urine during this pregnancy. If GBSis found in your urine, it will be treated. In labour you may be given intravenous antibiotics from the start of your labour until your baby is born, to prevent infections in your baby.