Over the last ten years, at least ten articles have been published on GBS and pregnancy. Some of the highlights of findings descried in these reports include the following.

Laufenberg (Am Fam Phys, 1989) reinforces that, as many GBS patients know, this disorder can occur during pregnancy and GBS patients can become pregnant. Symptoms potentially seen with both pregnancy and GBS include weakness, general malaise, tilgling of the fingers and breathing discomfort. It is the prudent obstetric practitioner who appreciates that these symptoms, when developing during pregnancy, may reflect that state or an evolving neurologic disorder such as GBS. Several authors emphasize that GBS is not usually affected by pregnancy and does not carry a risk of prematurity (Bouaggad Rev. Fr Gyn Obst, 1944; and Nelson, Obst Ggn, 1985). Some authors (Laugenberg, and Quinlin, S. Afr Med J 1998) emphasize that management of the pregnant GBS patient may not necessarily differ that much from managing the non-pregnant patient. Comprehensive multidisciplinary supportive care is warranted including, as needed, the use of an intensive care unit and avoidance of unnecessary obstetric interventions.

GBS may affect delivery procedures. For example, one parent (Rolf, Acta Neur Scand, 1994), because of severe GBS and respiratory insufficiency, was delivered by caesarean section. Another patient (Baron, Ginec Obst Mex 1993), with weakness of all four limbs and muscle atrophy, delivered a healthy girl by C-section and did well afterwards. Perhaps one of the most regarding cases of GBS during pregnancy was described in 1988 (Quinlin) in which a 33 week pregnant patient with severe GBS, went into premature labor two days after requiring mechanical ventilation. Although labor and delivery required the assistance of a drug, Oxytocin, to assist labor contractions and delivery was assisted by forceps, the patient, after twenty days of artificial ventilation and extensive physical therapy, was discharged without disability. She had delivered a healthy baby.

In addition to the use of supportive care as treatment for the pregnant GBS patient, other treatments such as plasma exchange can also be considered. Two authors (Bouaggad and Clifton, J Am Osteop Asso 1992) reported the use of plasmapheresis during pregnancy without complications to mother or fetus. Apparently, the literature describes the safe treatment of at least six pregnant GBS patients with plasma exchange.

At least 35 cases of pregnancy with GBS have been reported. The overall outcome has been quite good (Nelson) with a live baby delivery rate of 96%.
In summary, although GBS during pregnancy can be challenging to both mother and physician, the outcome is usually good.