Garlic for Strep B

[MJoKirk]

Okay, so I declined the strep B test, and have decided to just do some simple, natural things to lower the potential that I could be positive at birth. I severely doubt I am positive, as I show none of the risk factors, etc. but I really dont feel it is a bad idea to do some simple stuff to reduce my chances. So, I have been taking probiotics and vitamin C. I also know that garlic is a natural antibiotic/antiseptic. So, I was planning on doing something with garlic, such as washes or something. I have now read about just using garlic cloves as suppositories. That seems kinda icky, mainly just because I think it would smell....so...I am looking for some input here.

Does it stink?
How often do you need to do it? (Like, could I just put on in over night and not wear one during the day and still get benefits?)
How exactly do you go about it? Just stick one up there, or what?

Any other advice (and other suggestions) would be good too. I feel pretty prepared, and this is absolutely not something that is mandatory for me, and if I dont feel comfortable with the responses I get, I will talk to my midwives more about it. But...I just wanted to ask a group of people that seems pretty knowledgeable and get a good balanced feedback! Thanks mamas!

[MJoKirk]

No one?!

[Ironica]

I did a google search, and found a link that described exactly how to do the garlic suppository thing. They suggested cutting a clove in half, and only using half a clove at a time... and also cutting slits on the outer skin part. They also recommended running a thread through it, to ease removal. And it was just overnight, not during the day. ;-)

[xelakann]

To add to what the other person said, I read that you should start off with a one or two slits in the garlic and build up to more... as it can be an adjustment.

BTW... what are some of the symptoms or risk factors associated with group strep b? I'd like to decline when the time comes, but I have no idea whether that would be safe for me.

And one more thing, I heard a very diluted hydrogen peroxide douche solution works too... an OB nurse shared this with me. I may try it.

[EKilgore]

I don't really get declining the test b/c you have no risk factors- basically about 30% of women carry the bacteria and most will have no symptoms, so there really aren't risk factors which would indicate that a person is or isn't a carrier, other than UTI's which may indicate you are a carrier, though I am a carrier and have never had a UTI. Additionally, there is a very low risk of transmission to the baby during labor, barring risk factors such as PROM, maternal fever during labor, and delivery before 37 weeks- were these the risk factors you were referring to? At any rate, I declined abx for my homebirth and followed a regiment of oral vitamin c, garlic, probiotics & echinacea, I swabbed my vaginal area with garlic oil from capsules each night and I washed with Hibiclens (chlorohexadine) a couple of weeks before baby came and during labor.

[MJoKirk]

Originally Posted by EKilgore

I don't really get declining the test b/c you have no risk factors- basically about 30% of women carry the bacteria and most will have no symptoms, so there really aren't risk factors which would indicate that a person is or isn't a carrier, other than UTI's which may indicate you are a carrier, though I am a carrier and have never had a UTI. Additionally, there is a very low risk of transmission to the baby during labor, barring risk factors such as PROM, maternal fever during labor, and delivery before 37 weeks- were these the risk factors you were referring to? At any rate, I declined abx for my homebirth and followed a regiment of oral vitamin c, garlic, probiotics & echinacea, I swabbed my vaginal area with garlic oil from capsules each night and I washed with Hibiclens (chlorohexadine) a couple of weeks before baby came and during labor.

According to what I have read and heard, the risk factors for strep b can be UTI, lots of vaginal infections such as yeast and other infections, and such. I guess, a lot of women have strep b without any of these indicators, but there is a much lower transmission rate if the woman is just a carrier and it is not affecting her in any way...I have read. I am not 100% sure, but I feel confident in my choice. Also, as far as PROM, fever, and early delivery, these are also later risk factors, but I dont think those will be a problem. I do not know yet, but I am doing almost exactly what you did except I was unsure about the garlic thing. Thanks for your input everyone!

And, to xelakann, the risk factors associated with strep b (or lack there of) do not actually indicate your status. Just the lack of "symptoms" (per se) means you are a carrier that has strong antibodies against strep b so you will probably not pass it on. HTH...

AND, please correct anything I have here that may or may not be incorrect. This is based on fairly loose research, and I am learning myself. So, feel free to add or change my info! THANKS!