Lactnetters:
   As a friend of the Group B Strep rep for the state of FL I write to make
sure you are aware of the necessary testing for GBS in pregnancy.  Most of
this newborn sepsis is GBS, it is the number 1 cause of sepsis in newborns.
 Women need a low vaginal or  vaginal/rectal culture between 35-37 weeks
gestation.  What to do with the results is still contriversal, but if
antibotics are given during labor they need to be given through the IV, orals
are NOT effective.
For more information you can contact the CDC at http://wwww.cdc.gov/cdc.html
Good luck to all of you, and I am sorry to all of you who have suffered with
newborn sepsis.                        Stephanie Ehlert, AAHCC
                                                 Jacksonville, FL