Anyone else GBS+ ? What are YOU doing for it?

[WindyCityMom]

I just found out today that I am GBS+ (moderate colonization, I think it said).

I was wondering what everyone is doing for preventative & precautionary measures.
Here's my current list:
-I'm going to be cutting out refined sugars & carbs.
-Taking acidophillus
-Taking garlic
-vitamin C
-garlic clove suppository from 37wks
-acidophillus capsule suppository from 37wks (alternating with the garlic)
-cotton underwear
-eating plain yogurt daily
-eating unsweetned garlic pickles daily (shouldn't be hard, I love pickles!)

My m/w does not know we are UCing, and is under the impression I'll be taking abx during labor. She wouldn't even discuss the natural remedies for it.

I also have a few questions, if anyone knows the answers or has any idea...
-What about sex? I'd like to take advantage of the prostagladins but don't know if the semen in the vagina would be such a great idea, especially if hubby has a horrible diet.
-What about Evening Primrose Oil? I'm doing these now as night suppositories, orally as well, but could I still use them if I'm doing garlic and acidophilus as well? And does the EPO have a bad effect with the GBS?

hoping we can all share what we're doing and how were dealing.

thanks!

[Kidzaplenty]

[UCmamaToMany]

Try this site's suggestions http://thebirthsource.homestead.com/gbs.html

[MyBoysBlue]

I did much the same as you but I used Collidial Silver too. I took advantage of the prostagladins only an hour before DS was born. I found out I was + at 38 weeks and had DS at 39 and 4 days. I had an extreamly quick birth so I didn't have to watch for fever or worry about PROM.

http://www.joyousbirth.info/articles...lapproach.html

[turnquia]

Hibaclens washes have shown to be great for cleaning up GBS +. My midwife had some studies on it she showed me... not sure where on the internet to find it but hibaclens can be bought at any rite aide for like 5 bucks. Use a peri bottle and make up a mixture (I think1 part hibiclens 10 parts water?? not sure on ratio) and you use it to rinse after every time you go to the bathroom. i did it and got a false on my results for the GBS (after haveing a positive)

[Comtessa]

My MW okayed both sex and evening primrose oil while I was treating my GBS, so I don't think there's any trouble with either one. I was worried about exacerbating the problem by putting anything else up there, but it didn't seem to be an issue. It didn't cause a problem for me, anyway.

Your list sounds good, but I think you should retest at 38 weeks or so to see if you've been able to get rid of the GBS bacteria. If you retest negative, you're probably fine... but if you retest positive, you should consider doing a Hibiclens wash for the last couple of weeks and during labor. GBS infection in a newborn - even if it's rare - can be really really dangerous. IMO, it's not worth the risk. The Hibiclens isn't a "natural" remedy but it certainly beats the heck out of systemic abx, and studies have shown it to be effective.

I tested positive, used Hibiclens for a week, went back and re-tested negative. I just kept using it every few days until the birth (and every few hours in labor) to make sure I stayed negative. It was a big relief for me and DH to remove that risk factor ahead of time. And because I ended up transferring to the hospital during labor, it was a VERY VERY good thing that I had a negative GBS test in my file - no arguing with the hospital people about abx.

[Happiestever]

If you don't already have a diaper sprayer, get one. You can make a DIY sprayer for about $20. I really think washing every single time I use the toilet really helps keep any bacteria at bay. However, I haven't researched it's usage to this effect, but it certainly can't hurt.

[WindyCityMom]

I'm going to get some Hibiclens also

I might start doing acidophillus vaginally during the day during DDs naptime, so that I can lay down and let it work. I also might switch nights on the garlic clove and EPO, but I'm not doing garlic cloves unless my efforts to cut out the sugars are ineffective- meaning I can't cut out as much as I'd like to. I'm pretty much banning all of that crap from our house- my DH eats it and is a horrible influence because he will eat it right in front of me- not that he has a choice about where to eat it- our home is really tiny. I mean TINY!

That's awesome info though, glad I posted Hopefully eventually I'll be able to stop EPO vaginally later on and just do acido or garlic vaginally. This is providing I get my posterior baby to go anterior, get her to engage, and push on the cervix just right, so that I begin to dilate. EPO is doing the trick it seems- if it can get me to that point where I can let baby do the rest- then I think I'm good

[Serenyd]

Originally Posted by Comtessa

retest at 38 weeks or so to see if you've been able to get rid of the GBS bacteria.

If it were me, I'd do what you're doing, plus the hibiclens protocol and then retest as suggested.

[WindyCityMom]

Anyone know the exact hibiclens protocal?

I also bought some new acidophilus because mine was only 10 million!! I got the acidophilus pearls and they're 1 billion each I believe. Would I just take one or would you do two? The box says 1 but I'm not sure if these circumstances warrant a higher dose or not.

[turnquia]

Look here... there is also some info if you search here on MDC for hibiclens.

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/gbs.html

[WindyCityMom]

Thanks It just seems like everyone has something different to reccommend about using it and I'd like to figure out my own regimen before I get it- lol Thank you again.

[Serenyd]

Originally Posted by Comtessa

I tested positive, used Hibiclens for a week, went back and re-tested negative.

Which hibiclens protocol did you use?