Group B Strep

checkrdtop · October 2011

I went to a nutrition seminar at my birth center several months ago and the consultant mentioned that it would be helpful a few weeks preceeding the test for one to take probiotics? Since it has been a few months and my memory is sketchy I was just wondering if anyone has done this and if so where did you get the probiotics and how much did you take and when. TIA!

pinksweetpea2 · October 2011

I don't know about Group B Strep, but I take probiotics daily. They are great for general digestive health and have pretty much eliminated the chronic yeast infections I used to get. I recommend the Jarrow brand-- you can get them at Whole Foods and other similar stores. They have a lot more good bacteria in them than the kinds you find at CVS (like Cuturelle). I like the "travel" ones because they don't have to be refrigerated.

GL

StefandTodd · October 2011

I was GBS+, but wanted to labor at home as long as possible and knew there was a (slim) chance that I wouldn't be able to get the 2 doses of antibiotics over 4 hours, so a MW friend of my doulas suggested probiotics beforehand and then in high doses after if I had to get the antibiotics. The thinking was that even though I couldn't be retested to know for sure the GBS had gone away, I would be doing something to help the chances that it went away just in case I didn't get the antibiotics. Her recommendation (which i followed) was to get a probiotic in a natural food store (or natural food section of a store) that is refrigerated. Those are the better ones. I paid $17 for a bottle at a natural foods store, and took it as directed (3x/day). I got to the hospital dilated to 8, so I declined all antibiotics, and baby was healthy. I still don't know if I was GBS+ at the time I gave birth but we didn't have any complications from it if I was. GL.

Lina1030 · October 2011

StefandTodd:
I was GBS+, but wanted to labor at home as long as possible and knew there was a (slim) chance that I wouldn't be able to get the 2 doses of antibiotics over 4 hours, so a MW friend of my doulas suggested probiotics beforehand and then in high doses after if I had to get the antibiotics. The thinking was that even though I couldn't be retested to know for sure the GBS had gone away, I would be doing something to help the chances that it went away just in case I didn't get the antibiotics. Her recommendation (which i followed) was to get a probiotic in a natural food store (or natural food section of a store) that is refrigerated. Those are the better ones. I paid $17 for a bottle at a natural foods store, and took it as directed (3x/day). I got to the hospital dilated to 8, so I declined all antibiotics, and baby was healthy. I still don't know if I was GBS+ at the time I gave birth but we didn't have any complications from it if I was. GL.

I would not risk it and refuse the antibiotics, they found GBS+ at my 6 week urine test...I was on meds for 5 days. they will test again in the third trimester but my OB said it will probably stay with me and I will need meds during delivery. but I may get these and take them before to see if it goes away by the 3rd trimester. Do I start taking them now until the end???

wifeofadam · October 2011

I'm not sure that probiotics will kill GBS, but it can't hurt. You can find probiotics in any health food store in the fridge (they have to stay cool). You could also start eating some plain greek yogurt every day - not only does it contain probiotics, but the fat and protein in the yogurt is also great for you while pregnant.

When you hear about GBS and probiotics you usually hear people talk about taking them after you receive your antibiotics in the hospital. If you do end up having to take a dose of antibiotics, make sure you take some probiotics (no sooner than two hours after the antibiotics) to replenish the good bacteria in your body and continue to take them for a few weeks afterwards.

I didn't even test for GBS with my last pregnancy, because I don't really think it's anything to be too worried about, but if I had tested and found out I was positive, I would have tried to treat it at home with garlic before resorting to any antibiotics.

wifeofadam · October 2011

I was just thinking - when I get a YI, I always insert yogurt (plain) vaginally instead of taking the OTC meds to help balance the yeast. It usually clears everything up withing 2-3 days. I am wondering if it would do the same thing with the GBS in the vagina. If there is research that shows ingesting probiotics can kill GBS, then inserting it vaginally would take it straight to the source. Anyone have any research on this?

Lina1030 · October 2011

+adamwife+:
I'm not sure that probiotics will kill GBS, but it can't hurt. You can find probiotics in any health food store in the fridge (they have to stay cool). You could also start eating some plain greek yogurt every day - not only does it contain probiotics, but the fat and protein in the yogurt is also great for you while pregnant.

When you hear about GBS and probiotics you usually hear people talk about taking them after you receive your antibiotics in the hospital. If you do end up having to take a dose of antibiotics, make sure you take some probiotics (no sooner than two hours after the antibiotics) to replenish the good bacteria in your body and continue to take them for a few weeks afterwards.

I didn't even test for GBS with my last pregnancy, because I don't really think it's anything to be too worried about, but if I had tested and found out I was positive, I would have tried to treat it at home with garlic before resorting to any antibiotics.

they won't let you eat in the hospital though when you are in labor...so how would that work?

wifeofadam · October 2011

Lina1030:
+adamwife+:

I'm not sure that probiotics will kill GBS, but it can't hurt. You can find probiotics in any health food store in the fridge (they have to stay cool). You could also start eating some plain greek yogurt every day - not only does it contain probiotics, but the fat and protein in the yogurt is also great for you while pregnant.

When you hear about GBS and probiotics you usually hear people talk about taking them after you receive your antibiotics in the hospital. If you do end up having to take a dose of antibiotics, make sure you take some probiotics (no sooner than two hours after the antibiotics) to replenish the good bacteria in your body and continue to take them for a few weeks afterwards.

I didn't even test for GBS with my last pregnancy, because I don't really think it's anything to be too worried about, but if I had tested and found out I was positive, I would have tried to treat it at home with garlic before resorting to any antibiotics.

they won't let you eat in the hospital though when you are in labor...so how would that work?

You take the probiotics after the antibiotics. If you're in a hospital with a nurse that is the food police, you would probably need to wait until after you are delivered and then either request some yogurt as your first snack or pop your probiotic pills. If you feel safe snacking when the nurses aren't around, you could eat your yogurt once they are out of the room.

It's just really important to get those probiotics back in your system, because you are susceptible to things like thrush if you are nursing and have killed all the good bacteria in your body.

checkrdtop · October 2011

Thank you all! I had no idea probiotics were helpful for so many things.

wifeofadam · October 2011

C_mo:
There are always benefits to taking probiotics... Maybe because if you're GBS positive and you know that you are going to be getting antibiotics, they're advising to store up your probiotics ahead of time? It makes sense

I don't know that stocking up on them beforehand would do any good, though, because once you take the antibiotic all of the good bacteria will be killed anyways.

mrsashkennedy · October 2011

+adamwife+:
I was just thinking - when I get a YI, I always insert yogurt (plain) vaginally instead of taking the OTC meds to help balance the yeast. It usually clears everything up withing 2-3 days. I am wondering if it would do the same thing with the GBS in the vagina. If there is research that shows ingesting probiotics can kill GBS, then inserting it vaginally would take it straight to the source. Anyone have any research on this?

My MW actually has me taking probiotic capsules orally in the morning, and vaginally at night. It is supposed to help balance out good bacteria/bad bacteria. I started this regimine at 32 weeks and I think we test around 36. I'll keep taking it afterwards just in case cause it can appaer after the test.

You can get probiotics at any health food store. They have liquids and capsules and they have to be refrigerated. If you want to take them vaginally, get the gel capsules and take them at night so they can dissolve and not make a big mess. Some of the powdery-ish stuff will come out the next day, so you'll def want a panty liner. But it's not bad at all.

rae_dylanzmom · October 2011

A little off topic, but a reason to play the probiotics game if you end up with antibiotics....

The test I had was out of date (>4 weeks old) when I went to the hospital (long story, boo midwife... she never got the second test to the lab that I took when I was overdue!), so they gave me antibiotics without my consent through the entire labor.

I was told after the birth that I had a 'raging yeast infection.' Thanks, hospital. Sorry to gripe.... I guess I just realized how upset that made me. I drink probiotic yogurt now every morning (probably not as good as the previously mentioned options, though).

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