Description
Group B strep (or GBS) is a common and usually harmless type of bacteria, but it can very occasionally cause serious disease in newborn babies. Many pregnant women are offered screening and prevention for GBS, but there are pros and cons to this, as the main preventative (or prophylactic) measure involves women having antibiotics given to them by intravenous drip in labour.
In this updated second edition of her popular book, Dr Sara Wickham discusses the different perspectives on GBS, the screening and prevention options that are available, the wider issues relating to this area, the alternative paths that some people take, the answers to parents’ most frequently asked questions and more.
Dr Sara Wickham is a midwife, educator and researcher. She is the author or editor of sixteen books, has edited three midwifery journals and provides in-person and online educational and consultancy services for midwifery and health-related organisations around the world.
“Sara has written an excellent and important book. She has pulled all of the evidence (in its many forms) together into a comprehensive woman-centred resource. Sara’s writing makes complex information accessible to all. I’d recommend this book to women, and anyone involved in caring for childbearing women. I learned lots.” – Dr Rachel Reed, Midwifery Lecturer and Author of MidwifeThinking.
“Sara has a remarkable ability to search through extensive amounts of research and to translate it into simple, easy to understand language. She has achieved that once again in this beautifully written book. The choices women face as they negotiate their births are challenging, but are always made easier by having accurate, easy to understand information. This is THE book to go to for everything you need to know about GBS.” – Dr Kirsten Small, Obstetrician Gynaecologist.
“After induction of labour, one of the most frequent calls I receive is for women whose waters have broken and have been told they need to be induced because of the risk of the infection group B streptococcus. You may not come into this group, but the number of women is large enough for it to make sense to be prepared and have the information in advance. It is too late to start doing your research then, so read the book now.”
Katharine Graves
