Active BV infection at the end of pregnancy

[Mama Poot]

I'm still battling BV. Right now things are "quiet" but I know its still there, I still have symptoms. So I'm wondering now what happens if I simply can't get rid of it and the infection is still present when I go into labor. What, if any, risks does this pose to the baby? Are there things I could do right before/during labor to kill off the bacteria as much as possible? The only thing I've heard about is that Hibiclens soap, would something like that be useful in my situation? I wish I could say I'd definitely be able to get the infection gone, but I've tried everything except antibiotics and it just doesn't want to go away. So I need to plan ahead at this point.

[Linzie2]

Sorry if I'm being thick, but what is BV?

[mom2_3birds]

check out the UTI thread on the UC forum. BV was mentioned in there and someone suggested orally garlic and GSE and then a semi douche with hydrogen peroxide....

[Cathieq]

I think I remember hearing that the problem was more that BV can send you into preterm labor. I don't think it matters so much to the baby.

[Treeof3]

With my first medically managed birth, I had BV too that I couldn't kick with anything natural. By 27 weeks I was having bloody discharge bc my cervix was all irritated from it. I had to sit in the hospital for most of a day under observation with the monitors etc. They gave me some abx for it. I used the pills for one round and the creme for another. Not exactly natural but it did kick it and I did get a vaginal delivery. So - I don't know what happens if you have it at delivery, but I do know it can get very messy and maybe cause ptl since they made me sit there all day under monitoring? Try the garlic and gse and see where you get and then maybe consider getting some abx...

[Elipsisqueen]

First, make sure you healthcare provider knows.

Second, go get some L. Acidopholus (Sp?) at a healthfood store. Next, start eating all the yogurt you can get your hands on! Even get some plain yogurt and put it "down there."

Also, take a shower in the morning and at night and avoid underwear and tight clothes as much as possible.

Good luck!

[whoziwhatsit]

I would think you would want to take care of this as soon as you can. Not only can it cause preterm labor, but if you do end up having to resort to abx, you want as much time as possible to get your flora back in order before the birth to avoid thrush in you and the babe. I remember a great article several years ago in Midwifery Today on natural remedies for BV. Don't know if it's available online, though.

[ashesofyou]

Originally Posted by Elipsisqueen

...Second, go get some L. Acidopholus (Sp?) at a healthfood store. Next, start eating all the yogurt you can get your hands on! Even get some plain yogurt and put it "down there." ...

I think probiotics are only useful for yeast/thrush, and will do nothing for BV. BV is, well, bacterial, and things that promote bacteria will not help... Or at least, when I had BV and thought it was yeast, because I had never had it previously, yogurt, probiotics, and even monistat did absolutely no good.

I would first go the garlic route, it is a good antibiotic, and how much more natural can you get? But *trust me*.... if you decide to insert garlic vaginally, thread a needle through it first... so there won't be another "oh my gawdz, I have garlic in my vagina, and I can't get it out!" thread.

[CallMeMommy]

Not the popular opinion, I know, but get antibiotics ASAP. BV is the cause for my 31-week preemie. By the time my water broke I was on my last day of antibiotics but it was still too late, and when I got to the hospital I was 2 cm dilated and 100% effaced and I had NO CLUE.

[aprilibarra]

go get a good liquid probiotic culture, take it a couple of times a day

this study shows that probiotics were effective with both yeasts and bv.

http://www.danoneinstitute.org/publi...Probiotics.pdf

its better to not kill off everything if you can avoid it. The problem is the ph level which the probiotics contribute to the normalizing of. You can apply topically as well, but don't do just that. Ihave heard of success stories with probiotics taking out group b strep as well. I wouldn't take the antibiotic, its pretty harsh.

[Mama Poot]

Thanks everyone. I've already done the garlic-in-the-puss thing multiple times, I even stuck tea trea oil on a tampon and tried that. Nothing worked. I guess I'll have to get antibiotics. Sigh.

[Mama Poot]

Originally Posted by Linzie2

Sorry if I'm being thick, but what is BV?

bacterial vaginosis

[TrippyLongstocking]

Originally Posted by ashesofyou

"oh my gawdz, I have garlic in my vagina, and I can't get it out!" thread.

[Theia]

I tested positive for GBS and BV 2 weeks ago at 34 weeks, and I was having light bleeding then from an irritated cervix, the bleeding has stopped since I started this remedy. I have Aviva Romm's "The Natural Pregnancy Book" and that is where I got this information. You said you had tried many things, but not what they were, so I hope my suggestion is not redundant.

AR suggests echinacea and burdock root as infusion or tincture. You can also add astragulas. I bought the tinctures, the dosage is 1/2 teaspoon each twice daily. I also agree with the PP's about garlic and probiotics. I haven't retested yet, but my bleeding has stopped and so I know that something good is happening.

Good luck with this.

[Elipsisqueen]

I have bv right now and the probiotics are really working. I got my acidophillus at the GNC.

Here's where I found the idea to use probiotics for my bv in the first place:

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/arti...ne-acidophilus

PS- Thanks peacelaughing for the other tips. eucinachea was mentioned in my natural remedies book. Definitely will have to try that.

[Elipsisqueen]

The only plain yogurt to use "topically" (haha)I could find did not have acidophilus. Do you think it could be beneficial or should I just use the yogurt with flavorings that has acidophillus? Do you think flavorings and sugar could hurt you "down there?"


Once I had a yeast infection and yogurt really helped a lot. Instant relief...

Oh, I actually did call my doctor and get a prescription for antibiotics. THen I started researching and found that this antibiotic, flagyl, makes people deathly ill. It's also a carcinogen. Great.... sure hope the acidophillus works!

[homewithtwinsmama]

Originally Posted by CallMeMommy

Not the popular opinion, I know, but get antibiotics ASAP. BV is the cause for my 31-week preemie. By the time my water broke I was on my last day of antibiotics but it was still too late, and when I got to the hospital I was 2 cm dilated and 100% effaced and I had NO CLUE.

I second this. BV is notoriously difficult to knock back naturally and there are too many risks to baby.

[elizaMM]

Originally Posted by Elipsisqueen

Do you think flavorings and sugar could hurt you "down there?"

Yeast like to eat sugar. But lactose is sugar, and you'd think yogurt has it, unless the bacteria have eaten it up. Bacteria probably like to eat sugar too (don't we all?).

I wouldn't risk it w/o some serious research. Keep looking for the plain. But MUST it have acidophilus? Bifidus is good too, is it not?

[nashvillemidwife]

BV is not an infection, it's a condition of pH imbalance that allows foreign bacteria to grow there. The presence of the bacteria may be considered an infection, but many times it just grows there unnaturally without causing any actual problems. Usually the vagina is very acidic and filled with acidic bacteria (Lactobacillus), but if the pH becomes too alkaline then the normal good bacteria can no longer grow there and alkaline bacteria start to live there instead. It is associated with preterm labor, but there's nothing about the condition that puts the baby at risk from delivery. It might put you at risk for tearing since the health of your tissue is altered.

Hydrogen peroxide has an acidic pH; you can use a bulb syringe to rinse the vagina with it to restore the natural acidity. Then you can apply plain live active yogurt directly to vagina to hasten recolonization with Lactobacilli. I recommend drawing it up in a syringe if you can find one, or use it as a lubricant during intercourse. I repeat in one week if signs or symptoms are still present.

Do not use soap near the vagina. It is alkaline and exposure to it can alter the pH imbalance to be less acidic. Plain water and a wet wash cloth are all you should need to maintain proper hygiene. Wear only cotton crotch panties or no panties at all whenever possible. It's not enough to just get rid of it, you've got to learn and maintain healthy habits or else the pH balance will keep getting knocked off and it'll keep coming back.

[Elipsisqueen]

I respectfully disagree with nashville midwife about using soap... I went for a while not using soap thinking I was irritating things and I can tell you that the bacteria flourished. My condition definitely got worse. Using soap gently twice a day plus taking my acidophillus has just about eradicated my bv. Just my personal experience...