Group B Strep « Back to Group Discussions

[whoabethy]

Hi ladies!

Can anyone give me some info about GBS - my doc (who is AMAZING) wants to test next week. I'm a VBAC mama, so I'm trying to understand what affect a + result would have on my birth. Last birth I had planned a homebirth, but DD was breech at 35wks and I ended up with a c-section. I don't think I even made it to GBS test point in my pregnancy. Any info/resources would help!

[Jenny01]

I think if you give birth in a hospital and are positive, you have to take antibiotics while in labour?  Not sure if you have a choice or not.  I'm planning a home birth and my midwife gave me the choice to test or not.  She said she does like to know though, just in case (so they can watch baby for the first little while after birth) but she is fine with me not taking antibiotics if I am positive - the choice is mine.

So, I've decided to do the test.  We do it at 36 weeks, and my doula has me on some supplements to encourage a negative result.  Probiotics, garlic and grape seed extract.  Cutting out sugar can also help...I think if you are prone to yeast and bladder infections, you are more likely to have a positive result. 

Just my experience so far!  I haven't had the test yet.  Even if you are positive there is only a small chance that it will transfer to the baby, from what I've read.

[kellybeth]

they do the test at my doctor for every pregnant woman at 36 weeks. i'll have it done at my next appointment. it's not supposed to be a big deal test, they're just testing for a type of bacteria, so i haven't thought about it in the slightest. if you're overall healthy, it shouldn't be an issue. they give you a shot if you're positive. 

[buko]

Originally Posted by kellybeth 

they do the test at my doctor for every pregnant woman at 36 weeks. i'll have it done at my next appointment. it's not supposed to be a big deal test, they're just testing for a type of bacteria, so i haven't thought about it in the slightest. if you're overall healthy, it shouldn't be an issue. they give you a shot if you're positive. 

They give you a "shot?"  I've never heard of this, but am very interested if there is a new course of treatment out there!

My understanding is that it's a bacteria that we all basically have in our GI tracts, and is pretty harmless there, but that if your vagina is colonized, it can possibly be transmitted to baby during birth, and if so, it can possibly lead to death.  It "comes and goes," thus your vagina could be colonized, then a few weeks later not, then a few weeks later, colonized again, so testing at 36 weeks gives a decent idea of whether you will be colonized at birth.

The treatments are usually either IV antibiotics (a couple rounds, I think, starting at least 6 hours before the baby comes through the vagina) or possibly IV abx for the baby if he/she comes too fast.  The alternative is a hibiclens abx "wash" of the vulva area, which shows a lot of promise as well.  If you test + OR have an unknown GBS status, your baby will be subject to more observation, especially if you don't get abx "in time."  As mentioned above, there are things that may be helpful in reducing the likelihood you will test/be positive (garlic, etc.).

There are a lot of tests I have declined (haven't even had an u/s), but I am good with this one.  Though it will be a minor pain (and I will take probiotics to balance out the abx load on my system), I am also good with the IV abx my HB MWs will give me if I'm positive.  Because it would be just a couple of courses, I would mostly labor without an IV, and only have it in my heplock/saline lock for a couple times, something like 15 minutes each time.  

It's one of those things that... though death from GBS is fairly rare, I personally feel the benefits of testing and treatment outweigh the risks or inconveniences.  Especially with my care providers, who will not freak out about it.  It is worth noting, however, that GBS testing is not standard in many places that have better infant/neonatal mortality rates than the US does (Europe, etc.)     

[LadyCatherine185]

^^ yeah that to what Buko said... and it really has nothing to do with whether you are healthy or not, both of my (very healthy) SIL's were GBS+ and a friend of mine, who just delivered her baby 3 months ago and is one of the healthiest people I know, tested negative for GBS and her baby actually got GBS anyway! The baby was hospitalized for a couple days and given abx, but all is fine. Just something to be informed about and to watch out for.

I had my GBS test today.. it is really a no biggie test!

[etsdtm99]

I always do the test, though i've never been positive -  i'm really not ok with antibiotics in labor, but my midwife will do them before labor, like whenever you test pos. and i'm slightly more ok with that - i just  really don't like the connection between thrush and antibiotics in labor among other things..  I have been taking probiotics my entire 3rd trimester because i read that it can reduce pos. group b strep results.. & it can't hurt! 
 

[ScienceGeek]

Group B Strep should be taken seriously. In the U.S., Group B Strep is the leading cause of meningitis (infection of the fluid and lining around the brain) and sepsis (infection of the blood) in a newborn’s first week of life (early-onset disease).

If you are positive you absolutely should receive antibiotics - A pregnant woman who tests positive for Group B Strep and gets antibiotics during labor has only a 1 in 4,000 chance of delivering a baby with group B strep disease, compared to a 1 in 200 chance if she does not get antibiotics during labor. If the right test is used to detect group B strep (ALL mothers should be asking for a BROTH ENRICHED MOLECULAR TEST). If this method is not used, there is an extremely high chance that you will get a false negative result - meaning you really are positive but the test said negative, therefore you would not recieve antibiotics during labor increasing the chances of your baby getting early-onset GBS disease.

I have come across a great web page that explains the need for Group B Strep testing - http://www.meridianbioscience.com/disease-information/group-b-streptococcus/patients.aspx

[kellybeth]

wow, the last doctor that i saw (the one i was speaking ill of months ago, since i see a practice not just one doctor) really gave me some crap information on this test. 

[Teles]

Yeah, I've been opting out of a lot of things but I'm planning to go through with the Strep B test. I'm going to chat with my doctor about alternatives to having them put an IV in me for the antibiotics while I'm in labor if I'm positive though, since I really don't want an IV (for fear that they'll give me something I don't want, like narcotics, as well as being tied down).
 

[buko]

Originally Posted by Teles 

Yeah, I've been opting out of a lot of things but I'm planning to go through with the Strep B test. I'm going to chat with my doctor about alternatives to having them put an IV in me for the antibiotics while I'm in labor if I'm positive though, since I really don't want an IV (for fear that they'll give me something I don't want, like narcotics, as well as being tied down).
 

They SHOULD be able to do it with just a heplock/IV port-- or hopefully you can make them do it that way.  That is, they can put the port in, give you your 15 mins or whatever of abx, then take the IV out (leaving the port on your hand or wherever).  They can give any subsequent dose(s) the same way.  It will be a little annoying to have that little port in/taped to you, but you won't actually be "tied" to anything for longer than the ~15 mins it takes to give you your abx dose (the IV pole should be "portable" anyway, so you won't have to remain still even during your dose).  And there won't be a way for them to slip in saline, glucose, or any drugs without hooking you back up to tubing (which you'd notice!)  

In case I'm not being clear or you've never had one, here's a photo of just a port in, no IV currently attached:

http://asweetlife.org.s148351.gridserver.com.s148351.gridserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/IV-port1.jpg

That's how my MWs will be doing it, anyway...  if I'm GBS positive, I mean.  And I have heard of/seen this in hospital protocols as well.

[odinsmama]

I've opted out of everything except initial blood draw, an iron test at around 25 weeks and the pee sticks I do at home.
I'll be doing the GBS test next week. No reason not to test, you can still decide what you want to do about it. I'm hugely anti-abx but if I'm positive I'm not willing to risk it with the babe. Thrush sucks horribly, and my GI system will be royally screwed up, but it's still not worth it, IMO, to risk opting out of SOME kind of treatment if need be.

I don't think my mw does iv abx though, and I can't remember what she told me she does instead. Will find out next week!

[lovebeingamomma]

If I'm positive I will not be getting the abx (it's about as clear cut as the decision as to vaccinate- in other words, there's controversy).  I was positive with the first two, so my last I did a vaginal garlic regimen and I was negative.  I've just been taking oral garlic this time, if I test positive, I'll do the vaginal regimen and test again, and if I'm still positive, I'll be doing the hibiclens.

And let's be clear, you ALWAYS have the choice to decline any medication, Penicillin is no different.
 

[Chloe'sMama]

I also was positive with both girls.  DD1 I had the IV antibiotics in the hospital and DD1 had the WORST diaper rash for a month after birth (bleeding ulcers, it was awful).  I did hibiclens with DD2 and think she had leaky gut from it.... this time I am doing a no refined sugar/ grains diet and will be starting the vaginal garlic tonight and see if I can get it to be negative when I test (or not) next week.  Have not decided if I am going to test yet.

[buko]

I am planning on doing vaginal garlic, FWIW, starting a week or so before my test. Because I am not trying to "cheat" the test and really just trying to stay negative, I will continue w/vaginal garlic until birth. If I can tolerate it, I mean. At the very least, I will restart garlic by 38 or 39 weeks (assuming labor doesn't seem imminent any sooner).

[Chloe'sMama]

I have about 4 weeks left and plan on doing vaginal garlic for the rest of the time.  MW was shocked, but I don't want to 'cheat the test' like you said buko and then actually have something to worry about.  We will see if DH wants to get near me.

[buko]

Originally Posted by Chloe'sMama 

I have about 4 weeks left and plan on doing vaginal garlic for the rest of the time.  MW was shocked, but I don't want to 'cheat the test' like you said buko and then actually have something to worry about.  We will see if DH wants to get near me.

I am lucky DH is Filipino, LOL...  (Most Filipinos are garlic lovers-- might also work if your partner is Italian, French, etc.)

[kellybeth]

this baby has made me absolutely hate garlic. if i smell it my stomach turns. i won't be doing that, but i take a good belly shot every morning, have been for weeks. 

[lovebeingamomma]

Originally Posted by Chloe'sMama 

I have about 4 weeks left and plan on doing vaginal garlic for the rest of the time.  MW was shocked, but I don't want to 'cheat the test' like you said buko and then actually have something to worry about.  We will see if DH wants to get near me.

I continued the vaginal garlic every other day for the rest of the pregnancy after I tested negative, nobody noticed but me, I didn't smell like garlic at all!  But it DOES give that disgusting instant garlic taste in your mouth all night yuck!!

[Chloe'sMama]

Originally Posted by lovebeingamomma 

I continued the vaginal garlic every other day for the rest of the pregnancy after I tested negative, nobody noticed but me, I didn't smell like garlic at all!  But it DOES give that disgusting instant garlic taste in your mouth all night yuck!!

I was thinking about doing it every other day after the test next week, just to cut back on the number of days I have to do it.  I was surprised that I didn't taste more garlic or smell more like it.  

Do you know if it kills any of the beneficial bacteria at the same time?  I am taking 2 fem-biotics and also another super potent general probiotic and hoping that my flora will be good for baby.  After 2 babies with leaky gut (from GBS treatment), I am hoping for a different situation this time.

[lovebeingamomma]

Originally Posted by Chloe'sMama 

I was thinking about doing it every other day after the test next week, just to cut back on the number of days I have to do it.  I was surprised that I didn't taste more garlic or smell more like it.  

Do you know if it kills any of the beneficial bacteria at the same time?  I am taking 2 fem-biotics and also another super potent general probiotic and hoping that my flora will be good for baby.  After 2 babies with leaky gut (from GBS treatment), I am hoping for a different situation this time.

I hadn't thought about it killing the good...don't know!  I get probiotics in my diet as well so I'm worried.