Resources During Pregnancy

What are the symptoms of late onset Strep B
One third of GBS infections are late onset, and can present between 7 days and 3 months as meningitis and sepsis, septic arthritis (infection in the joints) and osteomyelitis (infection in the bone). Typical signs of late-onset group B Strep...
Group B Strep, Strep B Testing

Understand the different types of tests available for Group B Strep Carriage.

Make sure you take the right test.
Strep B - why should I test when pregnant?

In the UK, every month an average of 66 babies are diagnosed with Group B Strep infection - 40 in the first 6 days (Early on-set) and 26 later in the first week to three months of life (Late –on-set). Group B Strep infection is the most common cause of infection in newborn babies that causes meningitis, sepsis, and pneumonia.
Approximately 25% of pregnant women carry the Strep B bacterium
One newborn baby a day develops a Group B Strep infection coming into contact with GBS during labour and birth. If Group B Strep is passed to a baby, they are at risk of developing a GBS infection.
Raising Awareness of Group B Strep in Pregnancy
The Strepelle Strep B home to laboratory test kit lets parents know, with great accuracy whether Group B Strep will be present during labour and gives them the opportunity to work with their medical team to stop the infection before it is passed to their baby.
Have you tested for Group B Strep yet?

Why take a Strep B test?

GBS is symptomless and usually harmless to the mother, but in some cases it can cause life-threatening infection to a newborn. When a mother carrying Strep B is untreated 1 in 400 will develop a GBS infection, 1 baby will die and 1 baby will survive with long term disability.
A guide to Group B Strep
British Journal of Midwifery: A guide to Group B Strep This month Strepelle sponsored the British Journal of Midwifery's Guide to Group B Strep for health professionals. The royal college of obstetricians and gynaecologists (RCOG) recommend that all pregnant women...
Group B Strep screening - GBS3 Trial in UK
This landmark NIHR-funded clinical GBS3 trial aims to improve the diagnosis and treatment of GBS infection in new-born babies. The UK...
Strep B infection in babies - The signs to look for.
Group B Strep infection in babies Around two thirds of GBS infections are early-onset and occur within the first 6 days of a baby’s life. Most infections are visible at birth or within the first 12 hours so usually picked...
Test designed specifically to detect Group B Strep
Strepelle is the most accurate Group B Strep test kit currently on the market. It is designed specifically to detect Group B Streptococcus (Group B Strep, GBS). Being highly sensitive, Strepelle utilises the gold standard method of testing. The Enrichment...
What I should know about Group B Strep and Pregnancy?
What is Group B Strep? Although GBS is rarely harmful to the mother it can pass to the baby, particularly during labour. This can cause serious complications such as sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis that can be life threatening for the...
How to Test for Group B Strep
What is the test for Group B Streptococcus? Testing for Group B Streptococcus (Group B Strep or GBS) is not routinely available through the NHS, unlike countries such as the USA, France, Germany, Poland, and many others. Strepelle use the...
The importance of testing for Group B Streptococcus
The importance of testing for Group B Streptococcus In the UK routine antenatal testing for GBS is currently not offered by the NHS. This is in sharp contrast to many other developed countries such as Australia, France, Germany, Spain and...
Testing Mothers for Group B Strep saves lives
Testing for Group B Strep can save lives Mothers tested GBS positive should be offered Intravenous antibiotics in labour to reduce the risk of GBS transmission. What Complications can GBS infection cause? Group B streptococcus (GBS, or group B strep)...
July is Group B Strep awareness month
July is international Group B Strep (GBS) Awareness Month. GBS is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies. On average in the UK, two babies a day develop GBS infection; one baby per week dies from GBS...
Mummymitchell's review of our Group B Strep test
Read how Mummymitchell, a first time expectant mother, included our Group B strep test in her "Big baby buys" list and read her honest review below! Mummymitchell-BigBabyBuys
Naomi's story
I am one of the lucky mums. My daughter caught Group B Strep infection from me and she survived. I bled at 6 months pregnant and was told via post that I had Group B Strep, my midwife posted a...
Lucy Mitchell Strepelle review
Lucy Mitchell Strepelle review Group B Strep (GBS) is the leading cause of newborn infection in the UK. 1 in 4 women carry the GBS bacteria which can cause life-threatening infection to a newborn. Most GBS infections can be prevented...
Pilot shows that screening mothers for Group B Strep saves babies
Testing for Group B Strep can save lives A Group B Strep (GBS) screening pilot at Northwick Park hospital resulted in an 80 percent reduction in newborn infection. More than 5,300 mothers at the North West Healthcare NHS trust were...
Testing with Strepelle is simple
Testing for GBS with Strepelle Strepelle makes it easy to test for GBS, it's convenient, easy to use and you can test in the comfort of your own home. Our ECM test is specifically designed to detect GBS, fully CE...
Losing baby Violet to Group B Strep
In October 2017 Grace and her husband received the heartbreaking news that their baby Violet was delivered stillborn caused by Group B Strep (GBS) infection. It is estimated that less than 50% of pregnant women in the UK are aware...