Newbie

[mamahen2coop]

Hi, I'm trying to decide about homebirth and one question I have is what is the protocol with GBS?  Do midwives test for it and what do they do if you're positive?  I'm just getting to this forum so I know I have a lot of research to do.  Right now my biggest obstacle is getting hubby on board among other very complicated issues.

[Marissamom]

in WA state, all licensed midwives can order lab-work and ultrasounds (they will do your blood draws and swabs and send them to a lab). I'm opting out of GBS testing, so didn't ask what my midwives do when you're positive. but most midwives will do a free interview and would be able to answer that question (protocols will vary from midwife to midwife)

[Aliy]

here i believe you just go into the hospital and they administer the antibiotic and then you go home.

I find out what my test results are this weeks.. should have last week but they didn't end up calling casue my midwife didn't have my file for my homevisit.. I'm asuming it was negative cause I haven't been notified

[bignerpie]

My midwife does not require GBS testing, but she recommends it. The reason is in the event of a transfer, she says that the first thing she's asked is, "What's the GBS status?" If there is no answer one way or the other, the hospital can treat the mother and baby as if they are both positive, which could mean anything up to and including giving the baby a spinal tap.

I don't think getting the test done is that big of a deal, so I plan to get it. I was tested with my first and was negative. If I happen to test positive this time, here's the midwife's recommendation:

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Using the following herbal treatment can prevent or clear GBS colonization. If a woman knows she is GBS positive, also have the husband take this regimen to prevent passing it back and forth with intimacy.

Twice Daily

Acidophilus - 4 billion cells per dose

Echinacea - 350mg capsules x 2

Garlic - 580mg capsules x 2

Vitamin C - 500mg with 200mg flavnoids

Grapefruit Seed Extract - 15 drops

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If you test positive, and are planning a hospital birth, you will be administered IV antibiotics during labor. Hope that helps!

[crunchymama214]

Here in TX, the laws are very accomodating to the homebirth midwives. My MW didn't even test me for GBS, so I have no idea if I was positive or negative. But the thing I really don't like about the GBS test is that you could be positive at the time of the test, but a week later, be negative. But of course you don't know exactly when you will go into labor, so it's really a seemingly useless test *to me*. But, should you want to be tested for GBS and it comes back positive, it's up to you and your MW with how to proceed. As another poster shared above, there are ways to try and reduce the colonization of GBS prior to the birth OR you could have an IV put in during labor and get the antibiotics put through that way OR you could just get a hep lock so your MW can administer the meds when needed OR....you could do nothing and just know and watch for the signs of GBS infection in your newborn. That's what I did. As I said, I wasn't tested and knew there was a small possibility of GBS infection in my baby, but I read up on the signs and watched for them. I took baby's temp every few hrs the first few days and I was at complete peace with my choice. 

In the end, I think that's truly what it comes down to....what are YOU comfortable with doing? Because you do not want to look back and say, "I wish I had....", you know? So, talk with your caregiver, see what the laws of your state say, then figure out what you need to do to have the birth you want despite your GBS status!!!