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Signs and Symptoms of Group B Strep During Pregnancy

Protecting the health of their babies is of utmost importance to expectant mothers. This means that women will have to monitor changes in their own bodies to make sure their babies are not affected by sickness or infections, such as Group B strep. Group B strep can cause complications for the mother as well but can be treated with certain medications.

  1. Group B Strep

    • Group B strep is a strain of bacteria that is often found in the human body. According to MedicineNet.com, 10 to 35 percent of healthy adult women have Group B strep. It is not the same as Group A strep, which is the bacteria responsible for strep throat. Often, Group B strep is not active in a woman's body and doesn't cause symptoms, but it may start to cause problems in a pregnant woman if she has a compromised immune system or has suffered from chronic medical conditions before or during pregnancy. Symptoms, such as urinary tract infections and unusually high fever, could be indicators that Group B strep is present in the body.

    Uterus and Placenta Infection

    • Group B strep can be found in the vagina, rectum or intestines of a pregnant woman, so it is easy to pass this infection along to the baby if it is not treated quickly and effectively. The placenta and uterus can also become infectious as Group B strep spreads, which may result in labor and delivery complications for the mother as well as stillbirth.

    Pneumonia

    • If a woman has or has had cancer or diabetes, Group B strep can result in pneumonia. Pneumonia, which is an inflammation of the lungs caused by infection, can often be treated with antibiotics, but some cases of pneumonia in women with Group B strep can be very serious and need to be treated right away. According to the Mayo Clinic, antibiotic medications, like keflex and penicillin G, are safe to take while pregnant.

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