• IAP( Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis)  is recommended for women in confirmed preterm labour.  The risk of GBS infection is higher with preterm delivery and the mortality rate from infection is increased (20–30% versus 2–3% at term). For this reason, IAP is recommended for women in confirmed preterm labour.
• There is no evidence that intrapartum vaginal cleansing will reduce the risk of neonatal GBS disease.
• Polymerase chain reaction or other near-patient testing at the onset of labour is not recommended.

The RAADP scheme should be regarded as supplementary to any anti-D Ig administered for sensitising episodes.

The recommended dose is - 3 g intravenous benzylpenicillin be given as soon as possible after the onset of labour  and 1.5 g 4 hourly until delivery.
The first dose should be given at least 4 hours prior to delivery.

• No screening test is entirely accurate.
• 17% to 25% of women who have a positive swab at 35–37 weeks of gestation will be GBS negative at delivery.
•  5% to 7% of women who are GBS negative at 35–37 weeks of gestation will be GBS positive at delivery.
• Many of the babies who are severely affected from GBS infection are born prematurely, before the suggested time for screening.

Cord presentation is the presence of the umbilical cord between the fetal presenting part and the cervix, with or without intact membranes. ( i.e if the cord  is present ABOVE the cervix, with ruptured membranes- this is cord PRESENTATION)

Cord prolapse is descent of the umbilical cord through the cervix  in the presence of ruptured membranes.

Cord prolapse can be occult ( Alongside the presenting part) or OVERT (Past the presenting part)

Bonus info- There is at least one more condition in which the delivery should be delayed for some time after appearance of the condition- Chickenpox ! In varicella rash- planned delivery should normally be avoided for at least 7 days after the onset of the maternal rash to allow for the passive transfer of antibodies from mother to child.

If the placenta is thought to be low lying (less than 20 mm from the internal os) or praevia
(covering the os) at the routine fetal anomaly scan, a follow-up ultrasound examination
including a TVS is recommended at 32 weeks of gestation to diagnose persistent low-lying
placenta and/or placenta praevia.

Use of TVS- to accurately see the placental edge. Also, cervical length is a predictor of antepartum bleeding and emergency preterm caesarean section in placenta praevia. Women with a cervical length of less than 31 mm have a 16 times higher risk of emergency
caesarean section due to massive haemorrhage.

The UK National Screening Committee examined the issue of strategies recommended that routine screening using bacteriological culture or near-patient testing techniques should not be introduced into UK practice.

The US Guidelines advise that all pregnant women should be offered screening for GBS carriage at 35–37 weeks of gestation and those found to be colonised with GBS should be offered intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis.

Antenatal treatment for vaginal or rectal colonisation does not reduce the likelihood of GBS colonisation at the time of delivery and so is not indicated in this situation.

IAP should be offered to GBS-colonised women

Planned VBAC is contraindicated in women with previous uterine rupture or classical caesarean scar.

Women who have had two or more prior lower segment caesarean deliveries may be offered VBAC after counselling by a senior obstetrician. This should include the risk of uterine rupture and maternal morbidity, and the individual likelihood of successful VBAC.

After collection, swabs should be placed in a non-nutrient transport medium, such as Amies or Stuart. Specimens should be transported and processed as soon as possible. If processing is delayed, specimens should be refrigerated. When testing for GBS, the lab should be specifically informed that the swab is for GBS testing.

It should be done at 32–34 weeks of gestation for women with twins.

The recommended time of testing is 3–5 weeks prior to the anticipated delivery date- therefore  35–37 weeks of gestation in singleton pregnancies with no risk factors for preterm delivery.

GBS is present in the bowel flora of 20–40% of adults (this is called ‘colonisation’). People who are colonised are called
‘carriers’. This includes pregnant women (there is no evidence that its carriage rate is specifically affected by pregnancy).

Conception during tamoxifen therapy should be avoided because
of potential teratogenicity, and a ‘washout period’ of 2–3 months is advised

- For pregnancies at more than 16 weeks of gestation the term low-lying placenta should be used when the placental edge is less than 20 mm from the internal os on transabdominal or transvaginal scanning (TVS).

If the distance between the internal os and the placental edge is 20 mm or more on TVS, the placental location should be recorded as normal and managed as per routine

• The term placenta praevia should be used when the placenta lies directly over the internal os.