Group B strep

illinoismommy · 2006-08-08

They tested me without my knowledge and I'm positive, I plan to try to get tested again because once they know they're going to require IV antibiotics which I REALLY don't want. So about Group B strep.... should I be concerned? Is there anything but the IV? Because by the time I get that darn IV I feel like I might as well have an epidural and all the rest of the crud too.... yeah.... can you tell I don't want an IV. : I really just want to do this without interference but now that I know I am gbs positive, I just don't know what to do.

sanguine_speed

· #2 · Aug 8, 2006

Who tested you without your knowledge? I chose to have the test so that in certain circumstances (prolonged amount of time with water broken), I could accept the IV if I was positive (and wouldn't worry at all if I was negative).

Anyway, I was positive and refused the IV. The IV will contain antibiotics. The antibiotics could lead to thrush in you and baby.

Why would they force you to do this? Are you delivering at a hospital? I had mine with a MW at a hospital. I had to stay after the delivery due to complications so the nurses tried to force me to have the baby injected with antibiotics. The midwife successfully fought for me.

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eco_mama

· #3 · Aug 8, 2006

You aren't due until Feb? Hmm..usually they test for GBS around week 37 of your pg. There are a few different natural remedies you can do if you're worried about it. I was neg w/ my dd but pos w/ ds. My mw had me do this herbal suppository treatment. I never tested after it was done but had a complete natural homebirth w/ no complications whatsoever. ds was perfect. If I ever get pg again, I'm not gonna test for it. I mean, women have been having babes for thousands of years w/o any kind of testing. I don't really think it's nessecary. You can deny the IV too. I think you'll just have to sign a waiver or somthing.

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alegna

· #4 · Aug 8, 2006

You can decline the IV just like everything else.

I did not get tested because I would not have done the antibiotics.

-Angela

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XanaduMama

· #5 · Aug 17, 2006

Just to add another perspective... don't assume the IV leads directly to an epidural and all the rest. I was devastated at my + test result, because I also assumed that it meant the end of my plans to labor at home etc. But the ABX ended up not being a problem at all--I had several bags of them, 4 hours apart, with just the heplock in place in between, and it didn't interfere with my moving around, being in the tub, etc, at all. Even when the IV is in place, you can still move around: I don't even remember it being an issue to pull the stand around after me. So worst case scenario, you get the ABX: it still shouldn't be an issue. Take your acidophilus, eat yogurt, and forgetaboutit! Focus on the real challenges of labor, and enjoy yourself.

HTH!

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~Shanna~

· #6 · Aug 25, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by EcoMama7
You aren't due until Feb? Hmm..usually they test for GBS around week 37 of your pg. There are a few different natural remedies you can do if you're worried about it. I was neg w/ my dd but pos w/ ds. My mw had me do this herbal suppository treatment. I never tested after it was done but had a complete natural homebirth w/ no complications whatsoever. ds was perfect. If I ever get pg again, I'm not gonna test for it. I mean, women have been having babes for thousands of years w/o any kind of testing. I don't really think it's nessecary. You can deny the IV too. I think you'll just have to sign a waiver or somthing.

What was the suppository treatment that your MW recommended?

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GwenV

· #7 · Aug 25, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaduMama
Just to add another perspective... don't assume the IV leads directly to an epidural and all the rest. I was devastated at my + test result, because I also assumed that it meant the end of my plans to labor at home etc. But the ABX ended up not being a problem at all--I had several bags of them, 4 hours apart, with just the heplock in place in between, and it didn't interfere with my moving around, being in the tub, etc, at all. Even when the IV is in place, you can still move around: I don't even remember it being an issue to pull the stand around after me. So worst case scenario, you get the ABX: it still shouldn't be an issue. Take your acidophilus, eat yogurt, and forgetaboutit! Focus on the real challenges of labor, and enjoy yourself.

HTH!

I just tested + at 37 weeks and am looking for non antibiotic treatments. My MW had suggested that there was probiotic treatments but said she did'nt think yogurts had the right kind, yogurts were directed more for yeast. Anybody know where I can get clear info on probiotic treatment? I'm really not keen on the antibiotics but at the same time I knew a woman years ago who's daughter did get sick because of strep B during delivery and it was awful. She blamed herself something fierce.

Thanks!
G.

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eco_mama

· #8 · Aug 26, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanna4000
What was the suppository treatment that your MW recommended?

I forget exactly what kind of herbs were used so let me email my mw and ask her for ya.

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rosie29

· #9 · Aug 26, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaduMama
Just to add another perspective... don't assume the IV leads directly to an epidural and all the rest. I was devastated at my + test result, because I also assumed that it meant the end of my plans to labor at home etc. But the ABX ended up not being a problem at all--I had several bags of them, 4 hours apart, with just the heplock in place in between, and it didn't interfere with my moving around, being in the tub, etc, at all. Even when the IV is in place, you can still move around: I don't even remember it being an issue to pull the stand around after me. So worst case scenario, you get the ABX: it still shouldn't be an issue. Take your acidophilus, eat yogurt, and forgetaboutit! Focus on the real challenges of labor, and enjoy yourself.

HTH!

I had a similar experience. I was bummed about the IV, but had a 5 hr. labor with no pain meds (12 hrs from water breaking to birth). So, it can be done.

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eco_mama

· #10 · Aug 28, 2006

Here is the recipe for the vaginal suppositories:

place 1 cup Echinacea agustifolia root cut, 1 cup Usnea lichen, cut, and 1 cup calendula flowers in a quart jar. Melt 8 oz cocoa butter with 16 oz coconut oil; pour over herbs. Heat infuse by placing the covered jar in a crockpot; add water to immerse the jar three-quarters of the way. Set on low and cook 12-24 hours. Cool and strain. To 1 cup of the infused oil add 1 Tbs of these powdered herbs: slippery elm bark, comphrey root, marshmallow root, and 20 drops of these essential oils: lavendar, rosemary, and tea tree. Chill slightly in an ice cube tray. When blocks are solid, cut them into quarters. Have mom insert one small cube vaginally before bed.

We had you do 6 nights in a row, one night off, then 6 more nights - but I had a mom a couple of weeks ago who retested after only 2 nights or so of doing it and her GBS was already gone!

This recipe is from an article called "Facing the Challenge of Group B Strep" by Kathy Murry, published in Midwifery Today magazine Autumn 2002.

HTH!!

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gwynthfair

· #11 · Aug 31, 2006

A great probiotic is Metagenics' Ultra Flora. My ND recommended taking first thing in the morning before anything else and last thing at night.

BTW if you tested positive early in your pregnancy, then it was probably in your urine, this is considered higher risk bc it indicates a highly colonized vagina. Definitely get more info.

I tested + in urine too, but I don't have to have the IV in constantly, and certainly don't think it's going to lead to anything else. Make a decision and have a positive attitude about it. Don't expect the negative.

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