National charity Group B Strep Support is campaigning for all pregnant women to be made aware of group B Streptococcus (GBS), after research found that over half of expectant mothers have not heard of the infection.

A survey of 4,673 new and expectant mums by Bounty for July’s Group B Strep Awareness Month revealed that 53 per cent were unaware of GBS, despite the fact that it is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies.

However, after learning about GBS, which kills one baby each week in the UK, 96 per cent of respondents agreed that all pregnant women should be informed about it, 94 per cent would take a test were it available on the NHS, and 91 per cent said that women should be told about the option of having the test done privately.

Jane Plumb MBE, chief executive of Group B Strep Support said: “If Mum knows she’s carrying GBS late in pregnancy, she can make an informed decision about what’s best for her and her baby based on fact.”

To sign the petition for all pregnant women to be offered GBS testing and information, visit: change.org/GBS