Group B Streptococcus..

It's a bit of a mouthful and is usually known as GBS for short, or just Group B Strep. Most mums have never heard of it, although it is more common than spina bifida or rubella. Here, about 700 babies a year will develop the disease of which around 100 will die, although many more suffer long-term problems.

Some 30% of the population carry the strep B virus without it causing a problem. Only when the bacteria comes into contact with a weak immune system (like a new baby's) can difficulties arise. Unfortunately, the problem isn't straightforward: only around half of the mothers who carry the bacteria pass it on to their baby, and less than one percent of the babies with the bacteria will develop the disease.

So, do you shrug your shoulders, cross your fingers and do nothing? Well, it is possible to pinpoint risk factors that would indicate that your baby could be at risk. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have issued guidelines recommending that hospitals offer antibiotics to women in labour if they have any of the following risk factors:

- premature birth (before 37 weeks),

- a temperature above 38˚C during labour,

- membranes ruptured for more than 18 hours before delivery,

- a positive test for the bacteria at any time during pregnancy.