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.

• 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.

Methotrexate adjuvant therapy should not be used for expectant management as it is of unproven benefit and has significant adverse effects.

Non-hormonal contraceptive methods are recommended.

According to UKMEC- For women with 'Current breast cancer' , Cu IUCD is Category 1 , all other contraceptive methods are category 4.

For women with 'Past' breast cancer' , Cu IUCD is Category 1 , all other contraceptive methods are category 3.

Systemic chemotherapy is contraindicated in the first trimester because of a high rate of fetal
abnormality,but is safe from the second trimester.

• The timing of delivery should be tailored to the patient.
• If history of vaginal bleeding/ other risk factors for preterm delivery- consider ‘Late preterm delivery’- 34+0 to 36 +6 weeks.
• If uncomplicated placenta previa- Consider between 36+ 0 and 37+0.

The likelihood of maternal GBS carriage in this pregnancy is 50%.
What should be done?- Discuss the options- a. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis ( IAP).
b. Bacteriological testing in late pregnancy and the offer of IAP if still positive. ( This is the only group of women who are eligible for GBS screening funded by NHS)

Up to 10% of women scheduled for ERCS go into labour before
39+0 weeks. Therefore it is good practice to to discuss and document a plan for delivery if labour starts prior to the scheduled date.

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.

Read about Intrapartum Care in VBAC-

https://obgresource.com/2021/12/10/intrapartum-care-in-vbac-2/

• 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.