Positive for Group B Streptococcus

valran22p · November 2016

I was given positive results today for Group B Streptococcus. I'm a worry worm, but should I be worried. My doctor had no concern or reason to worry what so ever. She explained that all that will take place is I will be given antibiotics when labor begins. Has anyone given birth having been positive with this? Are you currently positive for GBS? What did your doctor say and what is your birth plan????

slartybartfast · November 2016

Super common and almost never a problem. For my practice, standard care is they want you to have two rounds of IV antibiotics which is common. You can decline that though.

i was positive last time (assume I will be this time). I opted for the antibiotics and they were pretty much a non issue for my labor. However, they communicated they wanted to see delivery within 18 hours of water breaking. That part weighed on me hard and that was unfortunate because what I didn't understand is that if that didn't happen, they would just want us to stay the full 48 hours after delivery which didn't bother me at all. I would have been a lot less stressed in early labor had I understood that. I'm sure they said it but at the time I found it really hard to process any info and I just heard an imposed timeline.

mimi603107 · November 2016

I tested positive with my youngest who is almost 4 years old. I honestly can't remember if I tested positive with my oldest but I'm anticipating testing positive this pregnancy also. Just like @slartybartfast said, they give you two iv bags of antibiotics while you're in the hospital during labor and it's not uncommon to test positive. I haven't read up on it since my last pregnancy 4 years ago but my understanding is that the antibiotics are so you don't pass it along to your baby during a vaginal delivery. I had no issues with the antibiotics.

allicat89 · November 2016

I tested positive for it way back in the first trimester, so I'm scheduled for antibiotics too. Doctor didn't seem concerned at all. My birth plan has always been to labor until I feel like I can't handle the pain or pressure and then get an epidural, so the antibiotics haven't really changed that. But I will probably go to the hospital earlier than I might have otherwise, just to make sure that they can get all of the antibiotics in my system in time for delivery.

tinattt23 · November 2016

Good review article with links to tons of studies about GBS: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/groupbstrep/

maamawaabangi · November 2016

I've always done a natural preventative treatment for GBS prior to my test under each of my midwives care... it probably wouldn't help if you've already tested positive (from a care provider sense). You can google "preventative natural treatment for GBS". However, Id only do this under a careproviders supervision.

I do the following for 10 days prior to my test...
Oral
- probiotics
- garlic (pills or caplets)
- vit c
- apple cider vinegar shot
- limit all sugar

Vaginal
- probiotics (1 a night)
- lavender and tea tree mix in coconut oil applied to outer vaginal area

Basically, it's the principle of resetting the floral in the vagina and building ones immune system.

maamawaabangi · November 2016

Also, may of the plans I found (online) suggest a vaginal tampon dipped in garlic or essential oils... personally I would NOT do that... but to each their own.

Toller · November 2016

@maamawaabangi how long prior to testing should one start the protocol? I'm going to talk to my doula too, but just thought I'd ask here as well.

I tested positive with DD- I declined antibiotics because she was literally out of my body within 45 min of getting to the hospital (fast labor). But they would NOT LET IT GO to try and get an IV in me, even though there's no way the antibiotics would have had a chance to do anything anyways. I want to avoid the harassment this time if I can!

They also monitored her closely only for a few hours (took temp each hour), then they got busy so we were sent home way before the 48 hour original time frame- ha.

ETA: definitely NO EOs up the vajaj!!

leksiL · November 2016

@maamawaabangi yea my doula suggested sticking a clove of garlic up my vag, I was giving her the serious side eye...yea not doing that!

maamawaabangi · November 2016

My MW is testing me at 36 weeks for GBS and I'll do the protocol the ten days before it... which is coming up soon.

Yeah, personally I think garlic clove would actually be less of a risk in the vagina than EO... they can literally burn you... and who needs that prior to birth!!!

I have done garlic caplets and probiotics... but typically I think that less is more when it comes to sticking random things up there! Too many risks to cause discomfort or introducing random bacteria.

You can also make a spray of water or witch hazel and EO (I've only ever used lavender and tea tree) and spray off which I find refreshing and helpful. Or just drop a few drops of EO on panties each night.

But, just fortifying one's immune system or taking supplements for that is really beneficial too.

Austenista · November 2016

I don't know if I would do that for this particular ailment, but I WILL say that a garlic clove up there can effectively clear up a yeast infection. Worked for me anyway.

princesslockness · November 2016

One thing to be aware of is that the anitbiotics typically used is penicillin. Which many people are allergic to, so if you are allergic make sure its in your file and you announce that you need an alternate typer of meds.

tinattt23 · November 2016

@Kate08Young Good point. FI is allergic to penicillin. I wonder if that means Bubba has a good chance of being allergic? And if he is, is it safe to give it to me while he's still inside? All good questions for my OB should I test positive.

princesslockness · November 2016

@tinattt23 I am allergic, but H is not. When L had a bad ear infection, They gave him pen. I made sure to state that I was allergic and they weren't worried. Just had us watch for signs of a reaction.

yellingbanana · November 2016

That's good to know! I'm allergic to penicillin. Last year DH was given some for an infection, and I kissed him on the lips about 20 minutes after he took the pill. My lips swelled up all crazy just from giving him a kiss!

1MommyRunner · November 2016

Has anyone who has tested positive and received the antibiotic during labor had an issue with their baby developing thrush? A mommy friend of mine was telling me that there is a big risk, so to take probiotics before the baby gets here. Has anyone else done this?

LinziLoo09 · November 2016

I tested positive last time; got the antibiotics during labor; and no problems whatsoever with DD. She didn't even get sick ever for the first 10 months of her life. I know my biggest concern was wiping out the flora she would get during the birth that would help prevent infection, but we didn't end up having any health problems resulting from the decision.

mrsg2390 · November 2016

I just tested positive for GBS as well

I'm still doing holistic alternatives to try to kill the bacteria but we will still do antibiotics during labor to be safe. It hurts my heart a little since I'm planning for an all natural birth but I know there's not much that could have been done to prevent it. Trying not to beat myself up over it and statistically my little guy should be totally fine.

sreysaw17 · November 2016

Just thought I'd throw in my two cents. I've been planning (so far so good) on using a birth center with certified nurses and midwives. Because they're trying to make it the safest environment possible, they are super picky about who they allow to give birth there, ie. no GD, no twins, no early labor, etc. But when it comes to GBS, they are totally relaxed. I'll get tested at my next appointment but regardless of the outcome, I can still stay with them for the birth. It doesn't seem to be a major problem at all! But they do require the antibiotics before labor. So just as others have said in other threads, don't feel like you've done anything wrong. It's a common issue with a simple answer. Keep up the good work you're already doing growing this baby!

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