Pre-GBS test protocal

[DeChRi]

I know there are many questions on this, as I have spent a lot of time going through threads. I am hoping for some ideas specific to my situation. Here are the details.

This is baby 3 for me, first two I was GBS+ and got the abx at the hospital. I am allergic to penicillan to have to do a little song and dance with the whole abx protocal. I have one OB practice around here that is covered by my insurance, and they require the test in order to continue care. My practice will also not retest is the first comes back positive. They do the test around 36 weeks. If I go to the hospital without time to get the two doses, they automatically keep you 48 hrs after birth. I have kiddos at home and prefer get outta there asap. Checking out AMA early also unfolds a chain of irritation that we don't feel is worth it.

So knowing that I am having the test, that if it is + I cannot try and get rid of it, and that I dont feel like I am in a position to decline the test....

I would like to prep my system to get the best chance of a negative result. I have read many options, but am hoping to put together a good protocal over the next few weeks. I am 27 wks now.

As part of my normal protocal now I do take a daily probiotic. Should I start something like including kefir (never drank it in my life) to help get things balanced out? I would like to start far enough ahead of time to get my system in optimal condition. Also, would a hibicleanse be advisable right before the test?

Thanks for any information!

[npl]

Can only comment on the Penicillin issue.
I'm allergic to penicillin and got antibiotics during my last labour. They just used something else (not sure what). That was in the USA.
This time, I tested positive again, and the midwife said that they do a culture to figure out what will fight it effectively. Not sure if this is a different protocol because it's Canada, or because it's a midwife (shouldn't be, because she is following the hospital protocols).
Either way, there are ways to treat during labour without having to take Penicillin itself.

[WaitingForKiddos]

Sounds like you're concerned about testing gbs- rather than actually not having a growth of gbs. To test - I'd go for a hibiclens wash, internally but low and slow, nightly for 72 hours pre test. There's lots of good info when you google 'hibiclens GBS'.

I was gbs + for pregnancy #1 and had the most severe complication. For me it was important to actually be gbs - . I did an internal garlic treatment the month before getting pregnant with #2. Then I kept up with external hibiclens washes after every poop and every 48 hours if I happened not to poop. I've been gbs- since day one of this pregnancy....and I've had several cultures to make sure I remain gbs- .

[DeChRi]

Originally Posted by npl

Can only comment on the Penicillin issue.
I'm allergic to penicillin and got antibiotics during my last labour. They just used something else (not sure what). That was in the USA.
This time, I tested positive again, and the midwife said that they do a culture to figure out what will fight it effectively. Not sure if this is a different protocol because it's Canada, or because it's a midwife (shouldn't be, because she is following the hospital protocols).
Either way, there are ways to treat during labour without having to take Penicillin itself.

I am in the US as well. My problem was that the abx type that fell within my allergy safe zone had to be dosed 3 hours apart, which meant a long time at the hospital. I can't remember what it was off of the top of my head. I am pretty lucky that abx has not caused much issue for me or new babe as far as yeast/thrush that I know many mamas have trouble with. I just would love to avoid an extra few horus at the hospital if I can. I will do a bit a digging and see if there are other abx that they can dose closer. Thanks!

[buckeye_bebe]

I prepared myself by rinsing with Nolvasan (like Hibiclens) each time I used the W/C. It stung after awhile though. I ended up not getting tested because I kind of...gave up on pre-natal care, so chances are they going to give abx at delivery if I don't give birth at home. Honestly, I don't believe in a lot of one-shot only tests, so if I tested positive, I would ask for the opportunty for further testing, to see if results were replicated.

[DeChRi]

Originally Posted by WaitingForKiddos

Sounds like you're concerned about testing gbs- rather than actually not having a growth of gbs. To test - I'd go for a hibiclens wash, internally but low and slow, nightly for 72 hours pre test. There's lots of good info when you google 'hibiclens GBS'.

I was gbs + for pregnancy #1 and had the most severe complication. For me it was important to actually be gbs - . I did an internal garlic treatment the month before getting pregnant with #2. Then I kept up with external hibiclens washes after every poop and every 48 hours if I happened not to poop. I've been gbs- since day one of this pregnancy....and I've had several cultures to make sure I remain gbs- .

Thanks for the info and thoughts. I would, of course, prefer not have an overgrowth of GBS. I maybe did a poor job of explaining my question, but I would like to have a protocal before hand that internally and systemically helps eliminate GBS. If I can help the negative test by washing externally, I am all for that as well. I also know that because one test negative at 35 or 36 weeks, if baby comes 6 weeks later, there is no indication that the result is accurate at that time. I'd probably continue the protocal through delivery. With DD1 my water didn't break until late in labor, so I didn't think much about it. With DD2 my water broke on a Thursday and by Friday I still was not having contrax. Because I had tested GBS+ I got the abx and consented to pitocin after 24 hrs to start labor. It was a hellish 10 hr on pit with no pain meds. I would like to do what I can to avoid that situation again. So to speak to our comment, I am definately concerned with both eliminating GBS in general, but would probably see the few weeks after the test but before delivery being the most important in doing that. If that makes any sense.

[Sihaya]

For different reasons, I need to test negative on my GBS test as well. I recently looked at a lot of different threads and developed my own protocol which I plan on using this time around. As a disclaimer, I have not used this or known anyone who used it. I did a couple of preventative things last time around, but not an in-depth regimen, and I tested negative for GBS. My regimen is meant to both help me test negative and to keep GBS away for the birth as well. Hopefully, this can be a place for you to start in developing your own protocol.

What I plan to do:
Starting at 34 weeks (or 2 weeks before GBS test), begin taking powdered probiotics orally daily and continue until birth. At 34-35 weeks (or 1-2 weeks before GBS test), start taking Vitamin C to bowel tolerance and continue until birth. Starting at 35 weeks (or 1 week before GBS test), increase oral intake of garlic, at least 2-3 cloves/day, raw if possible. Also aim to eat 1 cup of yogurt daily for 1 week prior to test. Drink 1 cup Echinacea tea daily for two weeks starting at 35 weeks (or 1 week before GBS test). Five days before GBS test (approx 35w2d), insert halved garlic clove dipped in tea tree oil vaginally overnight three nights in a row.

After GBS test, continue aiming for at least 1 garlic clove/day orally, raw if possible, until birth. Aim for 3-4 cups yogurt/week until birth. Also repeat vaginal garlic dipped in tea tree oil once weekly until birth. At 39 weeks, begin drinking 1 cup Echinacea tea daily again for two weeks or until birth, whichever comes first.

A few other options:

• Elderberry (to boost immune system)
• Grapefruit seed extract (taken orally)
• Tea Tree Oil: Take a tampon or cotton ball and roll lightly in olive oil and then in a few drops of TTO. Insert vaginally and leave overnight.
• Yogurt: Get a rubber glove and fill the fingers with yogurt and tie/rubber band them off and snip off your little yogurt pops. Freeze. You could also put a few drops of TTO in there. Unwrap and insert vaginally. Wear pantyliner/pad as it may get messy

Hope that helps you!

[WaitingForKiddos]

Oh and three things....

If you do a garlic treatment remember to thread it and make a strong knot!

The hibiclens dilution is 20:1

I forgot I've been taking gse, no idea if it's doing anything but Ive heard it's great for ridding the body of gbs and yeasts.