Declining GBS testing AND IV antibiotics AND blood cultures of baby at Evanston Hospital?

[boysmom2]

I'm going to be birthing in a few weeks with Debbie Lesnik and the other mws in her group at Evanston Hospital.  I'd really like to just avoid all the craziness surrounding GBS.  Has anyone done this?  I've already declined the GBS testing, so that I can avoid the IV in labor, but then I think they'll still want to test the baby.  Can I refuse that too?  

[aphel]

Are you assuming that you're positive? Because I was negative, didn't need the abx, and didn't get an IV of any kind during labor. I always thought if you refused the test that they would strongly suggest (require?) that you have the abx, just in case.

[boysmom2]

I've always been positive in the past.  I considered doing the testing with lots of garlic and hibiclens beforehand, but I'm worried it still wouldn't work.  So far, when I talked to Debbie, she allowed me to skip the testing so that I can skip the IV, but they'll want to test the baby.  I'd like to just skip it all.  With my last birth, I had the IV, but baby was born less than 4 hours after it was started so he had to have the blood cultures done anyway.  Plus he wound up with some GI issues that I think could have had something to do with the antibiotics.  So, since my labors have been getting shorter each time (this is baby #4), I have a feeling we'd miss the 4 hour mark again.  So, that would mean another unnecessary dose of antibiotics on top of the blood cultures.  If I skip the testing, at least we can avoid the IV.  Also, I've never had any other risk factors for the baby: my water has never broken before pushing, baby and I have never had fevers, the mws don't do cervical checks often, if at all, etc.  

But, I'd also like to avoid taking a whole bunch of blood from my tiny newborn.  It just seems so ridiculous to me when we could just observe the baby, especially since a nice quick labor with ROM seconds before delivery is SO very unlikely to result in an infected baby anyway.  

I live in WI, so I'm just having one of the Evanston peds see the baby in the hospital.  Does anyone know if there is anyone who would be on my side about this?  It seems more like a ped issue anyway.  Even if my local ped agreed with me (she mostly just tolerates my crazy ways), I doubt she could have any sway with the people at Evanston.  

[tracymom1]

Call Dr. Minkus. He is a ped on staff at Evanston and is very natural minded and parent-focused. He has always let me make ALL of my own decisions regarding my kid's healthcare. We don't vax or do routine labwork and he is very supportive. I would trust his opinion and it might be worth talking to him to see what he thinks. He has worked at Evanston for a long time and will be able to tell you what they will expect from you with regards to the testing., and what you will encounter from the staff.

Happy birthing!

[boysmom2]

Originally Posted by tracymom1 

Call Dr. Minkus. He is a ped on staff at Evanston and is very natural minded and parent-focused. He has always let me make ALL of my own decisions regarding my kid's healthcare. We don't vax or do routine labwork and he is very supportive. I would trust his opinion and it might be worth talking to him to see what he thinks. He has worked at Evanston for a long time and will be able to tell you what they will expect from you with regards to the testing., and what you will encounter from the staff.
Happy birthing!

Thank you!!  I was considering calling the random ped I picked to see us while we're in the hospital, but this is much better.  Thanks!!