According to the World Health Organization (WHO),  each year nearly 20 million pregnant women carry group B strep (GBS). Although GBS is harmless for most pregnant individuals, it can be extremely serious when it passes to babies during pregnancy, childbirth or in the first months of life.

Not all babies exposed to GBS become infected, but, for those who do, the results can be devastating. GBS can cause babies to be miscarried, stillborn, born prematurely, become very sick, have lifelong handicaps, or die. Even babies born to someone who tests negative can become infected by group B strep.

Fortunately there are many ways to help protect babies from group B strep. This website contains resources for you to learn more about GBS and help prevent its devastating effects. 

Check out our resources to help you get started!
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Special thanks to Aayan's mother for sharing her son's voice making the grunting sounds which are a common, yet often unrecognized, sign of GBS meningitis
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Website Translation | en français (in French)​

Highlight

October is Prenatal-Onset Group B Strep (GBS) Disease Recognition Month, dedicated to raising awareness about GBS infections that occur during pregnancy, before labor has started. Prenatal-onset GBS disease can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or babies born already sick.
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This awareness month highlights the need for increased education, research, and prevention strategies to protect unborn babies. It encourages expectant parents and healthcare providers to recognize the signs of GBS-related complications, advocate for better screening methods, and explore potential interventions.

Story Spotlight

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Emma & Braiden | Prenatal-onset
"I had back to back pregnancies. I lost Emma at 20 weeks in 2012 and Braiden at 17 weeks in 2013. For both babies I went in for a normal appointment and no heartbeat could be found. I gave birth, and both autopsies showed GBS as cause of death since the babies had GBS in their hearts. I was told after Emma that this was a once in a lifetime thing to happen and it would not happen again."

What We Do

  • Provide complimentary GBS awareness info and materials
  • Exhibit and present at conferences worldwide​​.
  • Advocate to close the gaps in GBS care for ALL babies​

What You Should Know

Each of the three distinct time periods when GBS can infect babies has its own prevention challenges and strategies.

How You Can Help 

There are many ways to help from sharing a brochure with a pregnant friend to organizing a trail ride fundraiser to starting an awareness campaign with your department of health!

The WAVES Study
Participate in the WAVES Study to help determine the gaps in GBS care and communication. If you’ve had a baby (with or without group B strep disease) conceived on or after January 1, 2003, we want to hear from you! Help prevent future babies from becoming infected!

Remember to share with friends and family so we can all wave goodbye to group B strep disease in babies!

GBS Research Connect

​Join our collaborative, GBS Research Connect, to connect with fellow researchers, healthcare professionals, and professional health advocates/academics involved in furthering group B strep research and disease prevention!

Membership is free and includes access to events, the ability to join forums, collaborate, upload your research, explore blogs, and more!

Projects, Campaigns, and News Worldwide

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We want to make sure that prenatal-onset GBS disease is recognized and that more pregnant women and healthcare professionals become aware that pregnancy is a distinct time period in which babies can be infected by GBS. Check out our linked toolkit to help us spread the word!
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October 9-15 is Baby Loss Awareness Week to come together as a community to remember all of the much-loved babies gone too soon. The week culminates October 15 in the global Wave of Light for one hour starting at 7 PM local time in memory of all the babies who have died too soon.

Quick Links
Recently published articles: Learn more about our Campaigns and Projects!

Our past events and GBS news can be viewed in our Event & News Archive.
Please see all we’ve accomplished with your support!

GBSI's Newsletter: The Globe, October 2026

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​Donations
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​As a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, we rely on your donations to enable us to promote awareness and prevention of group B strep disease in babies worldwide!

Please help save babies and their families from the devastation of GBS disease!