[roses25]

I'm due for a group b strep test next week, and I have chosen to refuse it. I have instead decided to treat group b strep if any of the following risk factors develop:
*Labor is premature (less than 37 weeks).
*A prolonged rupture of membranes, greater than 12 to 19 hours.
*Maternal fever before or during labor.
*There are signs or symptoms of maternal or fetal infection.

If these risk factors would develop are there any alternatives to antibiotic treatment such as herbs, homepathic, etc.? For those of you that are refusing the test and just treating if risk factors develop, how have you decided to treat it?

Carolyn

 

[PTmorgan]

I was GBS positive for my first pregnancy, and simply refused the antibiotics. The nurse asked a couple of questions to make sure I was making an informed decision, then dropped it. I was expecting more of a fuss!

I'll have the GBS test again this time - not happy with it, but I'm too tired to fight - choosing my battles, I guess. I totally agree with you for using the risk factors as a point for getting the antibiotics. That's what I'm planning on doing.

In the meantime... If I'm GBS positive, I'm planning on doing the Hibiclens vaginal wash when I go into labor and every 6 hours after that. The midwives that I use haven't heard of it. (They are very medically minded, but the only midwives I can find that will do VBACs around here.) So I will be on my own to do it. DH and doula can help remind me.

I'm trying to find the link to studies done on the vaginal wash. I'll link if I find it. Basically, the number of babies with GBS infections are the SAME with Hibiclens (chlorhexidine) vaginal wash as with IV antibiotics; however, the number of babies who get e.coli infections are MUCH lower with the vaginal wash. Therefore, it sounds like better protection than antibiotics.

http://rixarixa.blogspot.com/2008/01...formation.html

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

I hope this helps!

 

[russianthistle]

I am not being tested, was not tested in my last pregnancy, either. I am also choosing not to treat for anything. It is something I am not worrying about.

 

[mamasurprised]

I guess maybe I haven't researched far enough...but how can you not be worried about possibly giving your baby meningitis? I was tested yesterday and I was able to do the test myself in the privacy of the bathroom. I guess I'm just not seeing the reasons for not testing...

Inform me ladies!!!

 

[the_lissa]

Because places who test do not have better outcomes than places that don't. GBS status is transitory. Just because you are positive or negative at 36 weeks does not mean you will be at the birth. Treating based on risk factors is much more effective. The prophylactic use of abx is causing gbs to become abx resistant and has other risks such as raising teh risk of e. coli, etc.

I plan on testing so I have a negative result in case of hospital transfer, but I only plan on using abx if I have risk factors.

 

[~Katie~]

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_lissa Because places who test do not have better outcomes than places that don't. GBS status is transitory. Just because you are positive or negative at 36 weeks does not mean you will be at the birth. Treating based on risk factors is much more effective. The prophylactic use of abx is causing gbs to become abx resistant and has other risks such as raising teh risk of e. coli, etc. I plan on testing so I have a negative result in case of hospital transfer, but I only plan on using abx if I have risk factors.

:

I tested negative with my last pregnancy so I won't be testing this time around on the basis that I will be negative again. If I happened to test positive with my first or if risk factors developed during labor (signs of infection, high fever, etc.) I would assume it was from GBS and would do Hibiclens.

 

[SunCB]

I was not going to be tested (never tested + yet in other pregnancies) but since I had to switch careproviders and am with an OB in a hospital setting it is basically required or the hospital protocol is to treat both Mom and baby as if they are + and since we are paying out of pocket this could get expensive for us. I went to health food store and picked up some stuff to help supposedly ensure a - for the test. I get tested in like 10 days so we shall see.

 

[kriket]

I've decided to not worry about it until I get the results back

I know thats not helpful, the MW was telling me that 1 in 100 will get sick from mamas GBS, but that would will likely get very very sick. I've very torn...

Like I said, crossing that bridge when I come to it! (and its comming up in 2 weeks

)

 

[octanebeetle27]

I'm not testing b/c I'm pretty sure I'm + (multiple U.T.Is that cultured GBS). I'll be doing the Hibiclense wash during labor. And just trying to keep my immune system up during this last part of pregnancy (plenty of Vit C, rest, etc, etc).

 

[mamasurprised]

Thanks for the info ladies!

 

[Kelly1101]

Got swabbed this morning... now just have to wait to hear back (since I'll be in the hospital, refusing the test would just make them assume I'm positive... I'd rather either be in the clear, or actually have the "+" result)

I am worried about being positive because I just got over being sick (throat/sinus bug). Would being sick mean that I'm more likely to test positive?