Group B Strep/How to avoid testing +

[EENS]

I have tested positive for GBS in 1 out of 3 births. I am due for the test again in about 6 weeks. Is there a way I can increase my odds of testing negative for gbs? Supplements? Refraining from sex? I have opted out of most of my other tests, but I don't feel comfortable opting out of the gbs. If I did test positive, I would feel compelled to accept the antibiotics during labor.

I'm convinced antibiotics during one labor really contributed to a lot of post-partum problems.

Thanks for any information.

[AlpineMama]

I would love to know too; I'm due for my GBS test I think this Friday. I was JUST trying to research this today, but I didn't come up with any great pearls of wisdom. So I'll be watching.

[EENS]

I was googling and found this in the mothering archives, it mentions large amounts of probiotics which I already take:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions.../t-623809.html

[1006baby]

I have no idea it this really works, but I tried it and was GBS neg. But I could have been GBS neg already. For two weeks before the test I took garlic tablets. I cooked everything with garlic too. I have heard of women inserting a garlic cloves inside of thier vagina too - but I did not do that.

I also read somewhere (and again - I am not coming for a place of fact more of an old wives tale) that washing really well with antibacterial soap on the day of the test can cause a neg. result. Now that one is harder to believe because they swab inside not externally. But, unless you are prone to yeast infections, I don't think it could hurt.

Good luck.

[Nan'sMom]

Many people (myself included) decline the test. Maybe a thought?

[PlayaMama]

i'd just like to emphasize that if you do insert the garlic clove DON'T FORGET THE STRING!!! i thought i didn't need it and the garlic got stuck. removal was not pleasant and someone suggested to wrap the clove in gauze and tie a string to that.

if you search google for midwife and GBS you will come up with the link to i think (midwifery today) and there is a recommendation for probiotics and garlic.

[possum]

I am reposting a reply to a similar ? in a recent thread:

There was a great article in Mothering Mag:
http://www.mothering.com/articles/pr...n/group-b.html

"There are three significant factors that place a woman at increased risk of delivering an infant who becomes ill from GBS: fever during labor, her water breaking 18 hours or more before delivery (prolonged rupture of membranes, or PROM), and/or labor or broken water before 37 weeks gestation.
. . .
In the absence of the first three risk factors (fever during labor, PROM, or labor before 37 weeks), the risk of a newborn developing GBS infection is very small."

I declined testing, and my mw's agreed that it was unnecessary. If you have those risk factors, your baby might benefit from anti-biotics - there are obvuisly many things to weigh. Also, since the test is done ahead of time - often more than a month before the baby actually arrives, it tells you nothing about the bacteria in your vagina at the time of birth. You could get a - and actually be colonized at the birth or vice versa.
Melinda