Group B Strep test - DIY or via GP?

[Salme101]

Hi everyone,

This is probably a daft question, but I am 37 wks today, have just had Group B Strep testing kit by post after a small delay, and I was wondering if I could get away with taking swabs myself, or should I really go via GP? Like pretty much everyone else on here, I have had no information about GBS via the NHS...

Thanks.

I'm in exactly the same situation as you - 37 weeks today too and have dug out my test kit to take to a midwife appointement later on this afternoon. Sure i could do it myself, but thought worth asking a professional instead just to be sure it's done properly. Will then pop in the post afterwards.

I think what i meant to say was - if i had an appointment with a GP/midwife already in the diary I'd probably get them to do it. If not, I'd go ahead and do it myself, to make sure it was done as close to the 35-37 optimum time as possible. If i couldn't get an appointment with my GP for ages (more likely than not), I'd do it myself today and get it in the post.

Hope this helps.

35 - 37 weeks optimum time.

I have just done one of these last week. I got it throught the post from a private clinic. It said on it either to do it myself or get my midwife to. I rang my midwife and she said just to do it myself so I did. It was really easy. Just two swabs and then posted it back to them. They texted me with the result a couple of days later.

Thank you all. I did the test and posted in on Thursday and have had negative result by text today! Always good to seize the day...

www.gbs.org.uk for the test.

the test available on the NHS or via a MW, is a HVS test which is not as accurate as the ECM test available privately via the website.

sorry, it is

www.gbss.org.uk

missed an 's' !

i did not think Group B could be detected unless it is actually active at the time of testing. i have it and it was picked up in my last pregnancy in a routine urine sample in the last trimester. my friends never got picked up. i think that is why it is not routinely tested. also something about money on the NHS i think!

Thanks Lulu I have just ordered my kit.