Our beautiful baby Zachary Victor Taylor-Smith

Hannah Smith is organizing this fundraiser.

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We now have an update that Zachary tested positive for GBSS (group B strep) This is something that is not currently screened for in the UK, unless it’s coincidently picked up on a swab or you request private screening. Around 20-40% of women carry GBS. Group B strep can have early or late onset and babies can become poorly extremely quickly. Transmission happens during labour/c-section and the mother can be asymptomatic and completely unaware they are carrying it. There are many countries who carry out routine screenings and there is statistical data to show a dramatic decrease in deaths. Our NHS currently don”t routinely swab despite this being an easily preventable infection, mothers can be given antibiotics in labour 4hourly to prevent transmission. To diagnose GBS a vaginal swab is done as close to labour as possible, usually between 36-38 weeks. More information on this can be found on the gbs.org website. Private screening is available and there is randomised pilots taking place in a few hospitals in the Uk whereby they are swabbing ladies.

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