[smeep]

Okay, I don't know much about GBS. But I have heard that once you're GBS+ for a pregnancy, you always are for subsequent pregnancies. Is this true? Also, a good friend of mine said that because she was GBS+ that she wasn't even allowed to get out of bed.<br><br>
What's the deal with being GBS+? Is it really necessary to be constricted? Don't they usually give IV antibiotics during labour? Is that really necessary or are there alternatives?<br><br>
Anyone who can give me all the info I need on it (or direct me to some web sites with a lot of info on it) I will love you forever. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> She just found out she's pregnant again and I would like to let her know what her natural birthing and traditional hospital birth alternatives are.

 

[Jane]

Nope. GBS colonization of the intestines and vagina comes and goes. She can choose to be tested again at 36 weeks. Typically, there is a 99% chance that your status wouldn't change in 4 weeks between then and birth, but over the course of a year? It definitely changes.<br><br>
If she were again colonized with GBS and wanted antibiotic prophylaxis, she would need antibiotics every 4 hours. There's no need to stay in bed - even though the antibiotics are IV, it's only 20 minutes at a time. You can move around during that 20 minutes, too, with a pole on wheels.

 

[DoulaLyndsey]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/yeahthat.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="yeah that">:<br><br>
Also, it's important that they not break her water. The amniotic sac is a barrier between the vagina and the baby. Once that barrier is gone, the bacteria can move up into the uterus. It's also wise to minimize vaginal exams.<br><br>
I'm not sure about hospitals, but my midwife treated GBS with one injection of antibiotics so that you weren't tied down to an IV. She had a hard time placing the needle with me, so I didn't get the antibiotics but my DD was born in the caul, so the midwife said she wasn't at risk for the GBS.

 

[touka]

Here are a couple of articles I was reading recently:<br><a href="http://createconstruct.com/MT_Spg07_GBS.pdf" target="_blank"><br>
PDF of article from Midwifery Today (link will download PDF)</a><br><br>
And <a href="http://www.mothering.com/articles/pregnancy_birth/birth_preparation/group-b.html" target="_blank">here's one from Mothering</a> published a few years ago.<br><br>
ETA: a search of the MT website will likely pull up a bunch of articles related to GBS too.

 

[cidercat]

She can also try some wholistic treatments for GBS. Google "garlic suppositories." Garlic is a natural antibiotic and used as a suppository vaginally it is supposed to get rid of GBS. If I had tested positive on a previous pg, I'd do the suppository protocol (typically a week or two, depending on what you read) before the test, then every few days after that to keep GBS at bay. If I still tested positive (which I shouldn't), I'd look into using a Hibiclens wash during labor/ before delivery. Google "Hibiclens douche." Most OBs probably wouldn't be fans of it, but midwives & birth centers should be.<br><br>
That said, even if she has GBS and goes the traditional antibiotics route, that's no reason to be confined to the bed.

 

[heatherRN]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>cidercat</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7795830"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">She can also try some wholistic treatments for GBS. Google "garlic suppositories." Garlic is a natural antibiotic and used as a suppository vaginally it is supposed to get rid of GBS. If I had tested positive on a previous pg, I'd do the suppository protocol (typically a week or two, depending on what you read) before the test, then every few days after that to keep GBS at bay. If I still tested positive (which I shouldn't), I'd look into using a Hibiclens wash during labor/ before delivery. Google "Hibiclens douche." Most OBs probably wouldn't be fans of it, but midwives & birth centers should be.<br><br>
That said, even if she has GBS and goes the traditional antibiotics route, that's no reason to be confined to the bed.</div>
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THANKS Cidercat...I had this exact question. I think when I get pregnant again I will try the garlic suppositories! It is very common for healthcare workers to be GBS+ and I had PROM and needed to be tied to the IV for days...I want to try to avoid it next time.