Strep B - everybody tested?

[Superslinger]

Sorry, I'm all questions this week... I've not been tested for strep B. Is this normal? 38 weeks now and told by midwife don't need to see her again til 40 weeks. Happy not to be tested if that's normal, but got the impression elsewhere (can't remember where!) that it was a must?!

You need to request it. You may need to push for it as I've read that the NHS can be reluctant to offer screening, but it needs to be done now.

I rested positive last pregnancy, so I will automatically be tested this time around.

The NHS do not routinely test unfortunately, you need to order your own test from www.gbss.org.uk

Not routine - only found out I was due to bleeding in early pg and having a swab done. This is my 3 rd pg so prob was also strep b positive then too.

Don't know if this is true in all areas, but here booking urine at 12ish weeks would have been tested - check your notes to see.

You can have it in your urine or your vagina, it's the vaginal swabs which aren't routine. Why not just give your midwife a call if you're concerned you've missed something that should have happened?

I did the private one suggested above which cost about £35, but afterwards my MW said she would have done it for free on the NHS if I'd asked. If you send off for a test yourself they send you two separate swabs (long cotton buds)- one for the vagina, one for the bottom. Your nurse/ MW will help take the swab if you'd like them to. It can't be done as a urine test. Most people I know didn't take the test, but I felt it was really important.