GBS test

[Wendy HS]

I was wondering if there was anything I could do before hand to make sure I don't test postive for the GBS test? My plan is to labor and maybe even deliver in water and my midwife has already told me I would get an IV if I tested positive. I've had two kids and always tested negative, but my understanding is that GBS can come and go. Also I know that the IV will be just used for antibotics but it will still have to stay in for Labor. I would prefer not to have to be messing with worrying about my arm going under water, or my DH constantly bumping it (that really hurts!!!) which is what he did with my first DS, while he was helping during the pushing stage to hold my legs.

[XanaduMama]

A hibiclens rinse is highly effective against GBS--I did it before testing with #2 (was positive the first time), and tested negative. Here's the protocol (you can get it in most drugstores: it's usually with the first aid, I think--it's just an antiseptic):

www.birthcottage.com/images/GBS%20Protocol.PDF

More generally, you can work on boosting your immunity by taking loads of vitamin C, probiotics, and garlic daily, and by using garlic and/or natural yogurt vaginally. I did all of these, but wanted to make sure I was negative by the time I tested, so I did the hibiclens the night before.

[WaitingForKiddos]

The hibiclens is wonderful. If the goal is to kinda fake out the test and show up neg when you might have a small colonization it'll work. If you want to really be neg. then I'd start doing external hibiclens wipes after poops and add the other methods a search here will show.....garlic, vit C etc.

Now, if you're just concerned about the IV (and don't want the antibiotics) you have an options.... a hibiclens douche at labor onset and then every 4 hours. The antibiotics are also able to be given through an IV tnat can be removed after use so you wont have a hep lock (no tubing) through labor.

I tested positive for a scant amount of GBS. I'm doing lots of hibiclens wiping after pooping, will do a douche at labor onset and will prolly' go with the iv bag of antibiotics but ask for a new IV rather than a hep lock. I HATE IVs too. Be active in where it's placed and how that will affect your positions.

[Wendy HS]

Okay I will make sure I have the hibicleanse on hand early. I already do 4000 mg of Vit C daily and Probiotics after every meal. I've not done the garlic, but will look into that. Thanks.

[branbran54]

Isn't 4000 mg a day high? The daily recommendation is 85mg and the max dose while pregnant is 2000. Is that a typo and you are actually taking 400?

[XanaduMama]

4,000 a day is quite safe. My MW recommended 1,000mg every 4 hours during pg for GBS. The RDA for vitamin C is crazy low, btw: it's the minimum required to avoid scurvy, not the requisite amount for good health--let alone fighting something off.

[sparkysgirl]

You only need to do it just before the test (bottle says its good for 6hrs) doing it too much might irritate tender tissues down there. Same advice for labor, try not to do it too much, my plan was to do it after my water broke, which it never did, so I did it midway through labor, with premade bottles. Careful with douching, there is something about doing that with with pregnancy so a peribottle might be better. Also some careproviders also swab inside the anal area, so get that spot to. Better yet, talk them into letting you do the swab instead while your giving your urine sample (that's what I did)

[~Adorkable~]

Hibiclens is a very strong disinfectant with a lot of health warnings, including big issues if it gets in eyes or ears. I would really look into it's MSDS sheet and usage before using it. I personally would not use it as there are other full spectrum antimicrobials out there that are less destructive.
I understand the goal here, I just would like folks to be very careful with that stuff. I'm going to go look for some links that may be helpful. I'll post back soon.

[LaydieBugs]

I couldn't do the Hibiclens because I'm sensitive to the Red 40 dye in it.

Some of my midwife's other suggestions were: Make a douche with tea tree oil and few drops of castille soap; take echinacea/goldenseal capsules; put sea salt in the bath tub and swish it in a little; wipe in a little plain yogurt; douche with some probiotics.

We didn't have time to test me a second time but I didn't do antibiotics (she said in her 20 years of practice she's never seen a newborn acquire the infection from the mother - but she's also extremely low-invasion (doesn't check dilation, won't sweep membranes, etc).