Screening for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is performed on pregnant women in their third trimester.
GBS is a bacterium and a normal part of vaginal and gastrointestinal flora that is present in between 14% and 25% of pregnant women.
However, it can (rarely) cause life-threatening septicaemia or meningitis in a newborn child. It can also cause infections in pregnant women and immunosuppressed people.
To determine if you are currently colonised with GBS this test requires you to collect a swab from your vagina and then from your anus. This specimen will be sent to the laboratory where screening will take place and the result will be given to your health care provider, who will then discuss the result with you.
Collection instructions
The staff will provide you with gloves and one swab to use while collecting your specimen.
STEP 1: Wash your hands and put on the gloves. Find a comfortable position, either lying on the bed or standing.
STEP 2: Open the packaging and remove swab by holding the plastic end of the swab.
STEP 3: Insert cotton end of the swab 2 cm into your vagina and remove. Using the same swab, insert cotton end 1 cm into your anus and remove.
STEP 4: Take the plastic tube from the packaging and remove cap. Place swab into the tube and replace the cap, ensuring it is firmly in place.
STEP 5: Label the plastic tube with your name, date of birth, today’s date and the time that you collected your sample.
STEP 6: Remove your gloves and dispose of them in a bin, wash your hands.
