Key points
- Group B Streptococcus (group B strep, GBS) disease can be very serious, even deadly, for babies.
- Learn about the steps healthcare providers can take to prevent GBS disease during the first week of a newborn's life.

Overview
The best way to prevent GBS disease during the first week of life is to give antibiotics, during labor, to women at increased risk.
All pregnant women should get screened for GBS bacteria.
Antibiotics during labor
Healthcare providers give antibiotics to women who are at increased risk of having a baby who will develop GBS disease. The antibiotics help protect babies from infection, but only if given during labor.
Antibiotics can't be given before labor begins because the bacteria can grow back quickly.
Healthcare providers give the antibiotic by IV (through the vein). Beta-lactams are the type of antibiotic prescribed the most during labor to prevent GBS disease. Penicillin and ampicillin are examples of beta-lactams. However, healthcare providers can give other antibiotics to women who are severely allergic to these antibiotics.
Why prevention is important
Antibiotics are very safe
About 1 in 10 women have mild side effects from receiving penicillin. There's a rare chance (about 1 in 10,000 women) of having a severe allergic reaction that requires emergency treatment.
Antibiotics are very effective
Antibiotics are very effective at preventing GBS disease in newborns. Consider the following examples:
Treated with antibiotics
No antibiotics