Two Oxfordshire couples whose babies died at birth are hoping to persuade the Government to introduce screening for the infection that killed their children.
Craig and Alison Richards and Susan and Nick McKeown were joining Witney MP David Cameron and 16 other families at a meeting on November 4 with Health Minister Stephen Ladyman, to encourage him to bring in a routine test for group B streptococcal.
Clockwise from front: Alison Richards and new son Adam, Nick McKeown and daughter Caitlin, Craig Richards, Susan McKeown The infection is passed on by new mothers during childbirth to about 700 babies every year.
About 100 of those die and another 20 are left with serious long-term mental and physical problems. Members of the delegation believe routine screening for all pregnant women, using a simple swab test, would prevent future deaths.
Mrs Richards, of Greenfield Crescent, Stonesfield, said: "This is all about recognising when women should be given antibiotics to prevent GBS.
"The key thing is screening for all pregnant women. Mr Ladyman will have to answer to a lot of parents if he doesn't come up with something at this meeting.
"Most women don't even know about GBS and screening is only available privately if you know where to ask. We are just asking for something that's done as standard in other countries, such as the US and across Europe."
The Richards' son Owen died hours after he was born at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital in September 2002, despite attempts to resuscitate him.
On the same day, the McKeowns, of Hedgemead Avenue, Abingdon, lost their baby, Teresa, at the JR.
Both babies could have been saved if Mrs Richards and Mrs McKeown had been screened for GBS and subsequently given antibiotics during childbirth. Through their campaigning, the couples have become firm friends.
Mr Cameron became involved 18 months ago after hearing about the Richards' story. It is the second meeting with Mr Ladyman he has organised for families and the charity GBS Support.
He said: "We have made some good progress in terms of creating awareness and in terms of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists addressing the issue."
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