Gbs+

[onetrumpeter]

I just found out last week that my GBS culture came back positive. I was bummed for various reasons, but especially as I'd love to birth as naturally as possible, and the rec'd IV antibiotics seem like that might make it more difficult for me. I'm pretty needle-phobic.

I'm guessing this could be controversial, but would appreciate hearing perspectives on why/not to go with IV antibiotics during the birthing time.

Thanks!

-Annie (guess date: 10/18. Yay - we're IN October now! )

[ASusan]

Can you request another test from your HCP? Between now and the second test, there are things you can do to reduce the GBS in your system. (probiotics, garlic...).

Before my test, I asked my OB if I could request a second test if the first were positive. He said yes. My test was negative, though.

I think you may have enough time.

[Tattiana]

I know that many refuse the test and/or abx. Knowing people who have had babies very sick with GBS related infections that are, indeed, rare really made DH and I think the issue out. We have had things happen to us or our babies that are rarer than a sick baby to GBS, we know that someone has to be in that low percentage. So, I decided to do the test, but I took probiotics, GSE, garlic, echinacea, vitamin C, tea tree oil rinses, etc and unfortunately, and rather upsettingly still tested positive. I literally broke down in the doc's office when I found out since I had such a bad experience last time (the only other time I tested positive). The doc is going to use a different abx with me to try to minimize the terrible thrush, etc I had last time. I still know it is an antibiotic, but it is given every 6 hours instead of every 4 and I hope that increases my chances of having LESS of the stuff. I don't like the idea of taking abx, but DH in particular is just more willing to take our chances with that vs. a sick baby. It is a very personal decision. I recommend looking at all side before making a decision.

[swimswamswum]

If my test was positive, I would be treated with a hibacleanse wash every 3 or 4 hours during the birth. My midwives do not use antibiotics for GBS.

[aylaanne]

I am not testing, nor would I accept abx if I had tested and come out positive. Babies still contract GBS disease when their moms get abx during labor, and when that happens, it's much harder to treat. Babies whose moms get abx are also more likely to contract antibiotic-resistant strains of other bacteria besides gbs. I'm worried with the increase in antibiotic resistant bacteria in general, and don't want to put myself or my baby at risk like that. The risk of your baby getting GBS is 0.5%, now that you've tested positive. That means 99.5% of GBS+ mothers will NOT spread GBS to their babies during birth, without antibiotics. To me, that is not a good enough reason to give a broad-spectrum prophylatic antibiotic. I'd like to see more research done into determining which mothers are more likely to fall in that 0.5%.

I'm also not going to allow my baby to be tested for any kind of infection unless there's clear signs of infection. One high temperature reading does not an infection make, but I've heard stories of babies getting whisked off for spinal taps and NICU stays when really they just needed to be unwrapped for a little bit.

That's me, though, and I have extensive health care knowledge/education. YMMV.

[pixiesmommy]

Those of us in the November DDC stalk you guys to see if you're having babies, and I came across this post as I was doing so.

Here is a link to a thread I actually began in our DDC. It is supposed to only take 2 weeks to rid yourself of GBS, and there is also mention of a douche you can do to eliminate it temporarily for testing.

Eliminating GBS thread

Also, I would not request another test- I would DEMAND one.

My 2c!
Manda

[Thandiwe]

Just wanted to give you this link. I posted it in another discussion about this on another board. I found it very useful.

http://www.mothering.com/articles/pr...n/group-b.html

Before I did my test, my midwife said if it was positive, we would retest following an even more intense regimen from my original. We would increase the probiotics, increase the raw garlic, increase the vitamin c, etc.

For me, we decided we wouldn't do the antbx in case of transfer to the hospital. We decided we would try to avoid that, and maybe compromise with a simple blood test of the baby or the baby's cord. We were, however, warned that if we would have had to transfer as GBS+ or unknown, refusing the antbx would most likely result in a call to child protective services. Our midwife warned us to get all the studies we could find collected in order to back up our decision.

I hope you find the answers that work for you. When you choose to "step out of the box" (mainstream that is) so many people you come into contact with make you feel like you're really jeopardizing your child's life by doing so. For me, I've had to really search deep down to be sure I was comfortable with my decisions. Best wishes and big hugs!!