Vaginal swab for Streptococcus agalactiae (SGB) is important screening testwhich is performed in late pregnancy, usually during weeks 35 and 37 pregnancy. The purpose of the test is to check whether the pregnant woman is temporarily or permanently colonised a with a bacterium group B streptococcus, which often does not cause problems in a pregnant woman, but may pose a risk to the newborn during labour.
Although SGB is not usually a problem in a pregnant woman, it can be passed on to the newborn during
childbirth and in the newborn baby causes serious infectionssuch as sepsis, meningitis or pneumonia. Early detection of the presence of the bacterium allows infection prevention, usually by prophylactic antibiotic therapy during childbirth. The smear helps to make the birth safer for the baby and reduces the risk of serious complications.
The procedure is quick, painless and safe. Using a small cotton swab, take a swab from the vagina and/or perineum. The sample is sent to a laboratory to be checked for the presence of SGB.
So a vaginal swab for SGB is easy, but crucial check, that helps protect the health of the newborn and allows a calmer birth for the pregnant woman.