The swab would be to check from Strep b which is a bactieria that is perfectly normal in something like 70% of women & is harmless BUT if you are positive for this you need to have injections of penicillian (sp?) within 6 hours of giving birth. Apparently while this bacteria is harmless in every day life it can be quite deadly to a new baby who can pick it up as they are born.

When I had mine done I was able to take it home & do it my self & just take it back. Its not the same as a pap smear. Its a long steril cotton bud that you insert like a tampon & swosh it around a bit then remove & place back into the steril container.