Group B Strep Positive, alternative to antibiotics

lilyaster

I just found out I tested positive for GBS this time (was neg with my daughters).  We're planning another homebirth and I'm trying to decide how I want to handle it.  My midwife has professionally given me several options to consider, but I was wondering what other out-of-hospital birthers are doing.  I can try some probiotics/garlic/herbs to alter my status and retest, I can try a hibiclens wash during labor, I can switch back to my family doctor and birth at the hospital with antibiotics.  My midwife can't administer antibiotics though.  Just looking for feedback.  Thanks!

julyjennifer

If it was me I would probably do the probiotics/garlics/herbs, and then closely monitor the baby after birth.  I might not even re-test, but then maybe I would since you already had a positive.  I chose not to test for GBS with my last pg and planned homebirth.

RockyMtnMama

I think trying to retest is best.  The risk of GBS+ passing on to the baby is low and if your midwife is aware, she will help monitor the baby for any signs of GBS during those first 12 critical hours after birth. 

When I had a birth at a free-standing birth center, the midwives discussed an intramuscular shot of antibiotics.  You could get that in a doctor's office and then return home to labor.  Might be worth a call to your general practitioner or an OB/midwife group to see if they can administer that to you under your request while you're in labor. 

You could do the same for intravenous antibiotics - go to the office/hospital for that and then go home during labor, but it might be harder to leave if you go to a hospital during labor and then leave on your own - I don't know.

 

CTri17

what about the hibiclens option?

It's fine as long as it's done before your water breaks , then I'd just monitor after birth.

 

I'd also do the probiotics/garlic/herbs etc as well 

InfinityDreamer

I used hibiclens. We opted not to retest and just monitor the LO to be sure all was well postpartum.  

This time I am skipping the GBS testing entirely and just assuming I am positive since I was positive with both my other pregnancies.

 

StefandTodd

I tested positive with my first, but didn't make it to the hospital in time for antibiotics.

This time I'm having a homebirth, and not planning to test at all for GBS.  If you retest and it comes back negative, there is nothing that suggests you would still be negative when you give birth.  Your status can literally change at any given time.  So I guess I'm not sure the point of retesting...?

I would (and plan to) assume I'm positive and do garlic/probiotics/monitor baby/hibiclens after birth...if I develop a fever or have prolonged ROM or any other factor that makes it more risky to baby, I do fortunately have the option for my MW to administer antibiotics...but I think there is a veeeeery slim chance I'd even opt for that (b/c I wouldn't want to do that if I didn't think I could likely get the second dose 4 hours later anyway...as a single dose gives no added protection). 

Good luck with your decision(s).

littlemac1117

RockyMtnMama:

I think trying to retest is best.  The risk of GBS+ passing on to the baby is low and if your midwife is aware, she will help monitor the baby for any signs of GBS during those first 12 critical hours after birth. 

When I had a birth at a free-standing birth center, the midwives discussed an intramuscular shot of antibiotics.  You could get that in a doctor's office and then return home to labor.  Might be worth a call to your general practitioner or an OB/midwife group to see if they can administer that to you under your request while you're in labor. 

You could do the same for intravenous antibiotics - go to the office/hospital for that and then go home during labor, but it might be harder to leave if you go to a hospital during labor and then leave on your own - I don't know.

 

I would probably do one of these two things.