GBS+ after probiotics & Vit C

[zaner'smama]

When I was about 28 weeks pregnant I found out that I had been GBS+ in my first trimester when they did a pap.
So I started taking 1,000 mg sodium ascorbate and 4 billion cells acidophilus 2 x a day. I did a vaginal garlic treatment for 3 nights around 28 weeks and again for 2 nights right before I was retested at 36 weeks.
I still tested positive.

I was planning to decline antibiotics and use hibiclens instead. However I'm wondering if I have a particularly bad colonization since the things I did to treat the infection didn't work? My OB is fine with using the hibiclens, but the nurse at the birthing center made me a bit nervous yesterday when I spoke to her about it.

Any thoughts for a nervous mama?

[chambom]

I also tested positive after trying garlic and acidophilus. I wonder too if I am somehow a case where it really is a risk.

I haven't asked my midwives about the hibiclens and they have only mentioned the abx.

Anyone have more experience with Strep B?

[zaner'smama]

anyone?:innocent

[NatureMama3]

have you tried taking grapefruit seed extract capsules for it? it's supposed to be very effective, as is tea tree oil topically.

[khanni]

How many weeks are you?

Last time, I soaked a tampon in olive oil that had 2-3 drops of tea tree oil in it and wore it overnight, and it killed it. I also took TONS of garlic pills.

You have to do what you are going to feel most comfortable with. I would continue different treatments, even if you never retest.

My understanding that in studies that were done, the hibiclens was just as effective as antibiotics, without the potential side effects of thrush and an stronger strain of GBS+ and anaphylactic shock (I'm pretty sure I spelled that wrong). You should do a google search to see.

Also, the longer your baby's in the womb, the less chance it is of being a problem. The less time your water bag is broken, the less chance it is of being a problem. So--I definitely would NOT let them break my water bag to speed up labor. Also, vaginal exams can make it spread, so you can turn down any unnecessary ones.

[XanaduMama]

:yeah:

You could do the hibiclens now, if you want to test again: it's really effective (as effective as abx without the nasty side effects). GBS comes and goes, so even if you were - at one point, you may have been recolonized. If you have time, I'd do the wash and try to test again.

And yes--even if you are +, the risks to baby are very low, esp in the absence of the risk factors (preterm birth, prolonged ROM, fever during labor, etc). So, like PP said, don't let them break your water, sweep membranes (which can cause PROM), or do ANY INTERNAL EXAMS from now until it's reeeeally necessary (ie, you feel like pushing!).

[Ironica]

There's currently efforts underway to develop a vaccine for GBS.

When I first heard this, I thought, "Ok, that's weird... how do you vaccinate against something that DOESN'T MAKE YOU SICK?" After all, don't vaccines provoke the same immune response that a pathogen normally does, but without causing the illness?

Looked into it a little. It turns out, there IS an immune response to GBS colonization. Women who are positive for this particular immunoglobulin or whatever it is are FAR, FAR less likely to pass GBS sepsis on to their babies.

Hm, interesting. I couldn't find out if they'd looked at the differences between women who have produced the immunity and those who haven't, but I'm guessing that the amount of time it's been kicking around your body would be indicative. So... I'm pretty much assuming that, if I've still got GBS colonization (I was + last time), I probably also have the immunity.

I'm also taking probiotics and Vitamin C, and will be doing the Hibiclens wash in early labor. After all, these things are pretty easy and low-impact. Probably going to do the garlic thing for a week or so before my culture also. But I'm not getting the antibiotics, regardless of what the culture says (and my OB is fine with that; he's very cool with anything that he feels sure is an informed decision). If I *am* positive for GBS, I'll stay at the hospital for 48 hours after birth just in case, since early-onset GBS sepsis can happen VERY fast, but is almost unheard of by two days after birth.

[MonP'titBoudain]

Personally I've decided the risks of using antibiotics are not worth it. I would continue doing home remedy treatments until you deliver but I would also do the hibiclens wash (and maybe re-test at 38 weeks? or closer to delivery?). But, that's just what I would do!

[ELTAZ]

IMHO... It doesn't really matter if you kill off the bacteria now. The important time to kill off the bacteria is when the baby is going to be passing through the birth canal (ie: at the very end of the pregnancy). So, I would concentrate more on eliminating the bacteria at the end of the pregnancy, rather than trying to retest negative now (in which case it would likely come back by the end and then even though you wouldn't be pressured to get abx the baby would still be at risk).

With my first, I was induced and I had the abx... and we got thrush, which totally sucked. With my second, I did not get the abx b/c I just barely got to the hospital in time (he was born 15 minutes after we walked in the door) - he came so quickly, and my water broke less than an hour before he was born, and he just rushed right through the birth canal, so I don't think he was too exposed to the bacteria, and thankfully he was just fine.

Anyways... GL I've heard good things about garlic, though I've not tried anything myself.

[MonP'titBoudain]

My understanding of the garlic treatments and other home treatments is that they need to be done for a few weeks to be effective. Since she's already past 36 weeks, she would need to start doing daily treatments now, continuing until birth. Personally I'd do that if I had the energy but I'd depend on the hibiclens wash during labor to be most effective.

[Twwly]

I would personally do some more treatments (garlic, TTO tampons, etc) and then ask to be retested.

[zaner'smama]

Thanks for all of the replies.:)
I had my 38 week appointment today. I really appreciate the advice about internal exams -- that makes sense. I had one at 36 weeks, but will not be having any more until labor. I'm still taking acidophilus and Vit C and purchased hibiclens this afternoon. I may also try a TTO tampon.
Thanks again. I feel better about this.

[XanaduMama]

You prob already have this, but you can get a good summary of the hibiclens protocol here: http://www.birthcottage.com/images/GBS%20Protocol.PDF.

Other useful info on non-abx treatment for gbs at http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/gbs.html