Another Hibiclens question...

[taralv]

Okay, I have my GBS test in 2 weeks and I was GBS positive last time, so I want to avoid it if possible. I have been searching the threads and read a lot about Hibiclens but I still have a couple of questions: 1. Why does the bottle specifically say NOT to use it in the genital area? and 2. Once I have the diluted solution and I rinse with the peri bottle do I let it dry and leave it or rinse it off? Thanks in advance for your input.

Tara

[~Adorkable~]

Hibicleans is a very strong cleaner that is very harsh on mucus membranes. By the way it also can cause blindness and hearing loss if you get it in those respective areas. I personally would pick a less toxic cleaner, there are a few out there though they are harder for average folks to get their hands on.

I'm not saying don't use it, but please respect how strong and harsh it can be. And I would 100 not want to leave that on my skin I would wash it off for sure.

[taralv]

Wow! Now Im scared to use it at all! When I was reading all the GBS threads, so many referred to using a hibiclens wash that I assumed it was compatible with the region I need it for. Anyway, I am a little confused...

Tara

[~Adorkable~]

Start with reading the lable and go from there, I personally have always been shocked that it is talked about so much around here. It is a medication not a soap. In some cases it may be the lessor of two evils, but I was in a industry that needed high level cleaners like that daily and I know we stopped using it over a decade ago for high level cleaners that were far less toxic. There are surgical scrubs that are ok'd for use in eyes and genitals, and I'm sure those would work just as well if not better because they are less irritating to tissue.

[VeganCupcake]

I personally haven't used it, but I think I will this time around. I asked my midwife whether it was irritating to the tissues and she said she hadn't had any complaints from her clients about it. (Most of her clients use TTO suppositories instead, though.)

Hibiclens (diluted) is the preferred GBS treatment in Europe for births. I'm not too concerned about it.

[Sihaya]

I have also been surprised at how casually it is suggested here as a preventative measure. I would be willing to use it to treat if I tested positive, but much prefer to use natural methods to boost my immune system and attack germs to prevent a positive in the first place. But, I have always been extremely wary of vaginal douching/cleansing and doing it during pregnancy just doesn't sit well with me.

I also worry (but cannot confirm) that Hibiclens can get rid of "good" germs along with GBS and other "bad" ones. That seems counterproductive to me.

[~Adorkable~]

sihaya, you are very correct that hibicleanse is a broad spectrum surgical grade antimicrobial. It kills nearly everything in it's path, good and bad. Using it or things similarly powerful on a daily basis would certainly disrupt your body defense system. Now it has it's use to " wipe the slate clean" but it's good to keep in mind that resident or good flora is usually easier to kill of than invading things. So if it's strong enough to kill the bad stuff it is killing the good stuff too. If it is diluted to the point where it is not unbalancing you, iti s probably also not doing anything much more than making you smell like a soap dispenser.

If peoples goal is to not take abx and the reason for that is the disruption of the system that those abx cause, this is doing a similar thing and it would be good to understand that. Both have their uses and their drawbacks, just be informed.

[taralv]

I'm glad I posted this question because your responses have made me change my mind about using the Hibiclens. It's weird, though, when I googled "Hibiclens GBS test" or something like that, I got multiple sites used by midwives that explained the protocol for using it. So, I guess it is used by many women under the care of a midwife or other health practitioner. Still, I get concerned when the manufacturer itself says not to use it in the genital area. Anyway, thanks for taking the time (Adorkable) to fill me in.

Tara

[VeganCupcake]

Adorkable, what surgical antiseptics for the genitals are you familiar with? Anything available to the general public?

See, I'm still swayed by the fact that it's used so widely in Europe, and there are several studies by respected people (Michael Odent, for instance) that show its efficacy.

[liberal_chick]

So what do you do if you are having a HB and are GBS+ and not using the hibicleans protocol? I have no option for abx unless I go to the hospital and I'm a bit nervous not doing anything for it, especially b/c I've had recurrent UTIs this pregnancy (I'm worried that the UTIs have been caused by GBS, which would mean I was highly colonized).

[VeganCupcake]

Originally Posted by liberal_chick

So what do you do if you are having a HB and are GBS+ and not using the hibicleans protocol? I have no option for abx unless I go to the hospital and I'm a bit nervous not doing anything for it, especially b/c I've had recurrent UTIs this pregnancy (I'm worried that the UTIs have been caused by GBS, which would mean I was highly colonized).

You can do garlic suppositories or TTO suppositories for sure. You can follow that up with probiotic suppositories--that's a lot of suppositories!

I did TTO and probiotics. I wasn't tested, so I don't know if I was + or -, but I did want to do something as a preventative.

[~Adorkable~]

I am looking into what option I can feel good recommending, The one I most used to use is no longer being made.
Keep in mind that a agree it is about pickingbhte lessor to two evils and doing whatever you do fully informed. I'm not saying that in no way hibicleanse should be used I'm just saying that it is a powerful drug with it's own issues that seem to get glossed over.

If it was the one thing keeping me from a home birth I would certainly be willing to take it on in the smartest way I could!!
Let me talk to a fee folks that specialize in this stuff ( would care and chemical info, not GBS and birth) and get back to you, I want to know as well.