Some hospitals offer it and some don't. It isn't routine (even a 2nd trimester scan isn't routine here!). To be honest i'm not sure why they tested her, i think she may even have paid to be tested herself, thinking it was a good idea. In scotland it is routine to give all women who have not given birth within 18 hours of rupture of membranes IV antibiotics to counteract risk of any infection, including Strep B and this is usually effective. You don't even have to have them IV - i gave birth at 6pm but if i'd been 9pm or later the midwives had oral anti-b's from the Ped for me to take JIC.

I did look into it all when i was PG - giving birth at home i thought it was a better idea to cover all my bases (because there wouldn't be a paed there to check on her), but everything i read suggested i'd be increasing my risk of intervention and not making my baby any safer. Strep B is a continuous presence but not a continously active infection, you really CAN have it one week and not the next and it is not a danger to the newborn unless it is active (like HPV). I have read of women testing +ve in week 39 and -ve at delivery just a few days later. The friend in question went on to have another elective section because, she told me "My body is infected, i can't give birth to my children", once again the spinal failed, general was needed, once again BFing was made so difficult she didn't continue past day 2, and she is still suffering with PND following this second birth (bubs is 2). I would be interested to read your paper when it's done. Are you going to look at comparative intervantion rates withing groups tested or not tested as well as neonatal mortality and morbidity?

Bx