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Anyone Decline GBS test?  

post #1 of 26
2/26/07 at 10:59pm
Thread Starter 
I am planning to decline the GBS test when my m/w offers it. I didn't want it last time and the only reason we consented was the hospital's policy of treating the baby to a spinal tap and a 48 hr observation for positive and UNKNOWN status moms...grrr...anyway, tested negative and was out of the hospital in 12 hours or so.
This time I don't think it's necessary, as we'll be at home, I know the signs to look for, etc.
If you declined the GBS test, did you take probiotics, eat a lot of yogurt, etc instead?

Thanks!
post #2 of 26
2/26/07 at 11:18pm
Hi, I took it with my first and had a HB transfer because of it SO with my second two I declined it. But I did follow a treatment of garlic, echinacea, adn grape seed extract for two weeks at aroung 35 weeks to clear my system. It was wonderful not to hear any results that wouldnt change my birth in any way.
post #3 of 26
2/27/07 at 1:04am
I declined it last time and will again this time. Didn't do anything special.

-Angela
post #4 of 26
2/27/07 at 1:07am
I don't do it, I do eat lots of yogurt normally.
post #5 of 26
2/27/07 at 1:27am
gbs is the one test i don't decline (don't do afp, nuchal, ultrasound, glucose, and am even refusing prenatal rhogam this time), although i do take probiotics and eat lots of yogurt and kefir and fermented vegetables--i give birth at home, but i would really hate to need to transfer for any reason and have my babe subjected to all that additional testing/poking just because i didn't have a swab.

*j
post #6 of 26
2/27/07 at 2:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jecaly View Post
but i would really hate to need to transfer for any reason and have my babe subjected to all that additional testing/poking just because i didn't have a swab.

*j
Like everything else, you CAN refuse the testing- with or without GBS results. It's your baby. You're in control (despite what they want you to think)

-Angela
post #7 of 26
2/27/07 at 10:35am
I did decline but after being transferred to the hospital the baby and I both were pumped with IV antibiotics. I think I still have some sort of infection from all the antibiotics I was given.
post #8 of 26
2/27/07 at 11:52am
What is the treatment you can follow for 2 wks? I will decline the test as I did with my past 2 homebirths, but I would to see what this treatment is...
post #9 of 26
2/27/07 at 11:57am
I declined it this last time & didn't do anything special. I didn't expect to have a long period of time btwn my waters breaking & the births (twins that time) b/c of my previous birth so I really wasn't concerned regardless.
post #10 of 26
2/27/07 at 3:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2+twins View Post
I declined it this last time & didn't do anything special. I didn't expect to have a long period of time btwn my waters breaking & the births (twins that time) b/c of my previous birth so I really wasn't concerned regardless.
I guess I should add that I labored at home for 24 hrs after my waters breaking before transferring to the hosp. That has a lot to do with all of the intravenous antibiotics I received.
post #11 of 26
2/27/07 at 4:16pm
I declined testing, but had a homebirth, so it wasn't an issue. I'm sure in the hospital it may be simpler to just get tested(since they do like to treat if the status is unknown), but you have do choose what's best for you.
post #12 of 26
2/27/07 at 4:28pm
Thread Starter 
I guess I should clarify that I AM having a hb, so I am not concerned about the treatment of the baby following the birth this time, just wondering what the experiences of others are.
Thanks!
post #13 of 26
2/27/07 at 4:32pm
I gave birth abroad in Holland and this test is not routinely given to pregnant women. I was not advised to eat something "probiotic" because it's simply nothing to worry about unless it's the rare case when GBS symptoms show up (and are then easily treated) during labor.
post #14 of 26
2/27/07 at 9:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by alegna View Post
Like everything else, you CAN refuse the testing- with or without GBS results. It's your baby. You're in control (despite what they want you to think)

-Angela
hm, that's true in theory, but i've heard lots of stories to the contrary, too, and my impression is that the ante is much higher in a medical setting when one is arguing on behalf of a newborn rather than (or in addition to) just their own body. i mean, i'm hoping not to set foot in the hospital at all, but if i do, i'd like to at least be armed with a negative gbs test (simple enough to accomplish, with probiotics).
post #15 of 26
2/28/07 at 12:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jecaly View Post
hm, that's true in theory, but i've heard lots of stories to the contrary, too, and my impression is that the ante is much higher in a medical setting when one is arguing on behalf of a newborn rather than (or in addition to) just their own body. i mean, i'm hoping not to set foot in the hospital at all, but if i do, i'd like to at least be armed with a negative gbs test (simple enough to accomplish, with probiotics).
It of course depends on a lot of factors. But in general, it can be done.

-Angela
post #16 of 26
2/28/07 at 4:05am
I declined and had a HBAC transfer (vaginally) They did not even try to take the baby for anything (like we would have let them). We left in 10 hours.
post #17 of 26
3/1/07 at 3:12am
I tested GBS + with my last pregnancy but still had no time for antibiotics and all was fine.. This time, I am having a homebirth and declined the test.. Since I did test GBS + for it last time we have decided to do the chlorohexidine douche during labor.
post #18 of 26
3/1/07 at 9:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by badgerbaby View Post
I guess I should clarify that I AM having a hb, so I am not concerned about the treatment of the baby following the birth this time, just wondering what the experiences of others are.
Thanks!
This is exactly what I said too but you should always prepare in your head for a "just in case I get transferred" scenario. As much as we hate to think about it, nobody is immune to this possibility.

Some posters are saying that even when they transferred their babies were not taken away from them but that wasn't the situation we had. We were separated and not any begging, demanding, etc. was going to change that.

I'm not saying to do anything differently. I'm just saying that you should look at all possibilities. Believe me, I didn't want to go to the hospital but after 24 hrs and no progression it was the only option on the table.
post #19 of 26
3/1/07 at 10:53pm
I was never really worried about whether moms had it or not, I offered it, but most didn't do it. However, because transport is always a possibility and the hospitals policies around here with unknown status, I have been urging the parents to get it done. If positive we can treat several ways, retest, and have that paperwork on hand. The test isn't that bad, moms can do it themselves, it's not that expensive and it can save so much hassle and pain for the newborn if transported that I feel it's worth it.

I know lots of others disagree, that's just my opinion, take it for what it's worth.
post #20 of 26
3/1/07 at 10:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maggi315 View Post
The test isn't that bad, moms can do it themselves, it's not that expensive and it can save so much hassle and pain for the newborn if transported that I feel it's worth it.
Once again- you can decline testing of the newborn.

-Angela
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