Anne: There's a combination of things going on with the Beta Strep-prophylactic antibiotics situation. First, there IS an increase in the diagnostic rate because there's been an increased rate of testing; however, that also means that there's more false positives out there too. Much of this was prompted by a published study (don't have the citation right here) on the prevalence rate of B-Strep in pregnant women and the rate of infection. Anyone have the study handy? In this article, the authors recommended a change in OB protocol to administer IV antibiotics throughout labor to prevent the transmission of B-Strep to the infant. Second, there probably IS an actual increase in the incidence--apart from the diagnositc side. Third, the use of routine vaginal exams, AROM, and internal fetal monitors has increased the rate of transmission to the infant. There is speculation that transmission is not very likely in the actual passage through the vaginal canal, but that all of these interventions allow a much greater time of exposure and in conditions where the baby may still be "breathing/swallowing" amniotic fluid, opening his/her eyes, etc. Last, YES all of this IV antibiotic DOES lead to greater problems with Candida/yeast...has anyone out there implemented a counter prophylatic Nystatin protocol? Chris : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : )Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC email: [log in to unmask] : ) : )HSR & Health Educational Consultant voice/fax: 541 753 7340 : ) : ) **CHANGE THE WORLD, NURTURE A CHILD!** : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : )