About Group B Streptococcus

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the many bacteria that normally live in our bodies and which usually cause no harm.

If you carry GBS, most of the time your baby will be born safely and will not develop an infection. However, it can rarely cause serious infection such as sepsis, pneumonia or meningitis.

Recommended information

We recommend you read more about GBS if you are expecting a baby, planning to become pregnant, or have recently had a baby. It includes the current UK recommendations for preventing GBS infection in newborn babies.

Web version, with options for large print and audio versions.

PDF version.

Front cover of GBS PDF

Contact information

Maternity helpline

Telephone:

020 8934 2802