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.

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.

When testing for GBS carrier status, a swab should be taken from the lower vagina and the anorectum.

A single swab (vagina then anorectum) or two different swabs can be used.

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.

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)

• 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.

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

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

Successful VBAC is more likely among women with previous caesarean for
fetal malpresentation (84%) compared with women with previous caesarean for either labour dystocia (64%) or fetal distress (73%) indications.

• Anthracyline regimens are safe
• There are fewer data on taxanes, which should be reserved for high-risk (node-positive) or metastatic disease.
• Tamoxifen is not used until after delivery.
• Trastuzumab  is contraindicated during pregnancy.
• Haemopoietic growth factors (granulocyte colony stimulating factor) may be employed to ameliorate chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

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.