Beta-Streptococcus (B-Group) Infection During Pregnancy: What to Expect

Question
i'm 38yrs. Oct.27th 2004  1st day of last menstral. Last week I had a pelvic and it came
back possitive for "beta strep"? My doctor says that there is nothing to worry about. and just to be prepared to stay in hospital 2-3 days  after my baby is born they will need to observe her carefully. and I will be put on antibotics.  Is this something  I caused, or an infection I could have prevented?  

Answer
You do not have to stay any extra days in the hospital. If you test positive for Groug B Streptococcus, it means that, at the time you go into labor (around 4 weeks later) there may be lots of Group B Strep in your vagina. For this reason, we treat you with antibiotics when you show up in labor. This prevents passage of the Strep to the baby. It is quite common for many women to be positive and be treated in this way. Don't worry about it. You can still leave the day after your delivery, with the baby.