Tests for strep & dilation

Does a Beta Strep test at 35 weeks of pregnancy render me a niddah? Is it necessary to do a bedikah afterwards? What about when the doctor checks cervix for dilation? (speculum is not used in either case)

Thanks!

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your question.

The strep test is a vaginal swab. It does not dilate the cervix (and does not even generally enter it) and thus does not make a woman niddah.  One should not perform a bedikah after this exam.  There is no halachic obligation to do so.

A bi-manual examination to check for dilation does not make a woman niddah either unless the physician states that he is stripping the membranes (which he is not likely to do at 35 weeks).

B'sha'ah tovah!

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