[redhen]

well, what do you know?<br><br>
One of the homebirth midwives I talked to earlier in my pregnancy said that just because you were colonized during one pregnancy didn't necessarily mean that you still were (???). I assumed that if you were positive it stayed that way. She also said there were other ways to treat it (herbals, douches???) other than anti-bios and the risk to the baby was so low that it wasn't much of a concern.<br><br>
I was on anti-bios during my labor with my first daughter and no thanks to them had thrush for the first 4 months of our nursing relationship. Do most UCers just not do anything regarding GBS during their births or are there other ways of managing it? I haven't found anything googling.

 

[MamaRabbit]

Most don't even test. Most don't do anything. Some do a self-treatment (they vary) if they feel inclined to.

 

[cravenab00]

never been tested, never want to be.<br><br>
IMO, it becomes a problem when people start sticking their hands and monitors up there and displacing the GBS from the vagina, where it is supposed to be, into the cervix and uterus, where it should not be.<br><br>
If a person was really concerned, there are many natural treatments for it.<br><br>
I refuse to believe that suddenly in the last 20 years or so, 30-40% of women cannot have a healthy baby without antibiotics in labor.

 

[wombjuice]

Semi OT, but I had no idea what GBS was, so I went and googled it. But now I'm confused...is GBS something you're just born with? It says some people are "colonized"...but how did they get "colonized" in the first place? Is it transmitted sexually? If you get a regular STD test, will it tell you if you're GBS+?<br><br>
I ask because I've never been tested for anything. I've only ever been with my husband, and he got tested after we started dating. Nothing showed up on the test, but I mean...do men even carry GBS? If they are positive, can they give it to women? Will it even show up on the STD test?<br><br>
Sorry for all the questions, but I figure I can't learn if I don't ask! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">

 

[zofranland]

it isnt sexually transmitted or relatd to intercourse. just like any bacteria you can happen to have GBS in your vagina... it isnt something you are born wiht either... there is no definate to how it is acquired either...it isnt a bad thing, it doesnt cause an infetive process. OB in hospitals check for and treat GBS b/c it can cause infections in baby like the eyes etc. it is a personal choice whether or not you want to do it if you are homebirhting.

 

[Rico'sAlice]

I haven't been tested. I am doing a bunch of natural "treatment" but basically it is stuff that is good for the overall immune system anyway (raw garlic, burdock root, echinacea, astragalus, lots of probiotics and cultured foods)<br><br>
Anyway, even w/o any treatment your status can change within a few weeks. There is definitely no reason to assume colonization based on status from a few years ago.<br><br>
Also, there are other factors that come into play when considering if GBS is a threat to the baby (prematurity, waters broken for more than 18hr, fever, etc.)<br>
You can also choose to just keep an eye on the baby after birth.<br><br><br><a href="http://www.mothering.com/articles/pregnancy_birth/birth_preparation/group-b.html" target="_blank">http://www.mothering.com/articles/pr...n/group-b.html</a>

 

[heathenmom]

With dd#1, I was gbs-, but the hospital didn't believe me (and apparently they couldn't read -- my chart CLEARLY said negative) and I was "required" to have abx during labor. Did I mention how much I hate hospitals?<br><br>
With dd#2, I intended to refuse the swab but was tested without my consent at around 30 weeks I think (my own fault ... I peed in their cup without asking why they wanted it <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked">: ) and was colonized. I took abx for the infection in hopes that they would allow me to be swabbed after 35 weeks and I'd come back negative. The swab was +, but it was a moot point since we decided to UC. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
I won't be tested for future pregnancies.

 

[TrishWSU]

I tested and was positive w/ my DD but opted not to have the anit-biotics in labor unless I presented w/ the warning signs-which I didn't. I didn't know about any natural treatments at the time, but this time I might plan to follow a natural treatment since I don't plan to test.

 

[alegna]

I didn't UC, but I didn't even test. Won't in the future either.<br><br>
-Angela

 

[ErinBird]

I'd prefer to watch for infection in baby (unlikely), especially if my waters had been broken far in advance to when I actually gave birth.<br><br>
It didn't even run through my mind with mt daughter's birth because my membranes didn't rupture until about 2 hours before she was born.

 

[emiLy]

I tested with my first pregnancy and was negative.<br><br>
I am pregnant again and planning for either a UC or a hospital birth (fearful husband). So, I've been having prenatal care for the last 6 weeks. I have refused the GBS test, and am not going to be required to have anti-biotics at the hospital. I will not have an IV or hep-lock or anything. Now, this is a small hospital in a small town and my second birth, and my doctor is being quite cool and accomodating, but she really didn't bat an eye at it. She has been much more aggressive about other tests/procedures. She just said she'd watch "extra closely" for infection in the baby (what, when I leave asap after the birth?! LOL).