Gbs +

[klink2]

Crap! I'm GBS +. I see 3 midwives and a DO and it happened to be the mw who I perceive as the most "medwifey" who told me today. She didn't have anything good to say at all about alternatives to iv penicillin. I am so bummed. I think my biggest concern with antibiotics is thrush. Has anyone done the abx? Any advice or suggestions?

[MamaHen2J&J]

No advice...just and I hope it all goes smoothly!

[funfunkyfantastic]

Nope, no advice. I just looked it up online and the article did say that midwives know good alternatives to antibiotics. Supposedly there's something herbal you can take.

Here's a mothering.com article:

http://www.mothering.com/articles/pr...p-b-side1.html

[mesa]

I had penicillin with Shelby because my status was unknown. I've been taking probiotics and eating tons of yogurt (good thing I like it, huh?) and I haven't had any issues with thrush or anything else. The worst part for me was the drip itself...it burned like hell...make sure they don't turn it up too high if you decide to go with the penicillin.

[JustVanessa]

yogurt up your vagina is supposed to work, as well as lots orally. Can you ask for a reswab?
Garlic is supposed to work too!

[neomia]

Well, I am kindof a radical, so just ignore this if you want, but I have never bothered testing for it. I have heard the results can fluctuate day by day, so it seemed pointless to me. And when I weigh the risk of transmission vs. the negatives involved with antibiotics, they wouldn't be my choice anyway. Here is a good article from Mothering:

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

Sorry you are having to face this decision.

[klink2]

Thanks, everyone. I've read that Mothering article about 10 times already (as well as lots of other things) and I'm still sitting on the fence. I think I'll see a Naturopath tomorrow and try to start some kind of natural regimen and see if they'll retest me at 40 weeks (I'm sure I'll still be pregnant then.) I'm still interested if anyone else has done the abx and what your experience was like.

[butterfly1001]

No advice, but reading all the replies... I'm positive as well, and I'm not sure what I want to do. I'm allergic to penicillin, so I have to do clyndamyacin (sorry, bad spelling) if I do it. My midwife did say she carries a vaginal wash to do in case there isn't time to do a round of antibiotics... I really don't want to have the hep-lock in while at home, but at the same time.... I can't decide for myself if the benefits outweigh the risks.

[*Karen*]

Originally Posted by neomia

Well, I am kindof a radical, so just ignore this if you want, but I have never bothered testing for it. I have heard the results can fluctuate day by day, so it seemed pointless to me. And when I weigh the risk of transmission vs. the negatives involved with antibiotics, they wouldn't be my choice anyway. Here is a good article from Mothering:

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

Sorry you are having to face this decision.

:

[blessedmom68358]

I've done the abx three times (they refused to even test me for it at least one of those times), with my first three babies. It all went ok, thank goodness. However, in hindsight, I'm glad I've learned what I have about GBS and am not testing nor using abx (if all goes as planned with my first HB) this time.

results can fluctuate day by day, so it seemed pointless to me. And when I weigh the risk of transmission vs. the negatives involved with antibiotics, they wouldn't be my choice anyway

My thoughts exactly as well! I tested positive w/my first and from there on out, was just put on abx...until my fourth...and I 'tested negative' with her.

My MW now doesn't test. I'm eating yogurt, planning to start probiotics, and I suppose I'll try the garlic regimen...though not looking forward to it at all! (Bleh!) Of course, my MW, DH, and I will watch the baby very closely and if I would end up with any of the 'warning' signs (elevated temp during labor, water breaking a long time before birth, etc.), things could change. However, being at home, I'm really not too worried. At the hospital, I worry about the baby getting the abx, having ALL bacteria (the good stuff, too) wiped out of the gut, and then being subjected to nasty hospital germs (E. Coli, etc.)...but I'm paranoid like that.

GL to you, whatever you decide! I know it's a toughie; I've struggled, too.

[mamatosaskia]

any chance that you can find out what your numbers were? I know I have posted about this before, but I was gbs + and I had very high numbers (meaning I was highly colonized). I didn't get the abx during labor because I had previously tested - and so we all agreed to treat me as if I was -. Dd contracted blood sepsis and spent two weeks in NICU on 24 hour abx. In hindsight I wish I had accepted the abx, because in the end she got WAY more abx than she ever would have from two doses admininstered to me.

I know that the chances are small, but if you are on the fence AND if your midwife has a sense for your numbers (I believe my midwife later told me I was a 4+) then maybe that can help you decide what to do?

I totally respect those of you who refuse the abx, I realize there is really only a slight chance of baby becoming sick. But, if you happen to fall into the .5% like I did, it can be really scary. Best to arm yourself with as much info as you can and then go from there.

Good luck in making your decision!

Jacqueline

[swimswamswum]

Ugh. I was positive and just used a hibacleanse rinse a couple of times during labor. It's jut a rinse you insert vaginally w/ a peri bottle. It's quick and not very invasive. It's standard practice w/ my midwives.

I am really sorry you have to fight this.

[Trail]

FWIW - This week's issue of Midwifery Today focuses on the management of Group B Strep during pregnancy...

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/enews/enews1012.asp