A Colchester mother has welcomed news all pregnant women will be offered information on a condition that almost claimed her daughter’s life.

East Anglian Daily Times: Su Newton with children William and Emily. Picture: GREGG BROWNSu Newton with children William and Emily. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Su Newton, 47, is a volunteer ambassador for charity Group B Strep Support, which has jointly prepared a new leaflet about Group B Streptococcal (GBS) with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. It will be given to all pregnant women as part of their routine antenatal care.

Mrs Newton’s daughter, Emily, eight, was left fighting for survival at birth due to GBS, but she fortunately made a full recovery.

“I’m pleased about the fact the leaflet will be handed out to every pregnant woman,” Mrs Newton said. “It’s arming women with the information they need to protect their babies.”

GBS is a bacterium that is carried by 20–40% of UK women, and it can occasionally cause serious infection in newborn babies.