Forums:
I am reaching out for advice.... I am currently 36 weeks pregnant and despite being in treatment, I tested positive for Strep B. My Dr told me this is an automatic IV antibiotic to prevent GBS in my baby. I realize I am playing a numbers game if I fight the Cleveland Clinic and decline the antibiotics, which could be devastating for my baby if he would become infected.....argh. So, has anyone tested positive for Strep B, pursued a natural treatment and then been able to have the overgrowth numbers return to normal. If so, how did you do it?
Thanks, Katie
Oh no Katie!! Listen- my best
Oh no Katie!! Listen- my best friend- another Katie- tested positive for gbs and then she did garlic suppositories and increased probiotics and ended up tested negative about 2 weeks later. I can give you her email if you want- she would be glad to tlak to you about it.
(((((((((((((((((hug)))))))))))))))))))
Hey- I forwarded you Katies's
Hey- I forwarded you Katies's protocol. The issue is many of the things on it are not IC friendly! I just talked to her and she reminded me, this is another one of those "snapshot" things. The flora of the vagina is always shifting so one person could be GBS positive at one point and then test negative a week later. I know it is so complicated to deal with medical personel with this. Perhaps you could ask for a re-test in a week or two?
Deir, Thank you so much for
Deir, Thank you so much for your quick responses and email;) I have decided ( after five hours of research and conversations) to work intensively with herbs/Dr B for two weeks and get a retest. Then I will decide whether or not to receive antibiotics. For those patients looking at this issue after me....the best article I found can be found here http://evidencebasedbirth.com/groupbstrep/ . If I do test positive a second time, I will choose to be treated under the UK's "risk-factor" protocol vs the US "universal protocol". It seems to make FAR more sense to me ..........
Katie
Great katie. Sounds like a
Great katie. Sounds like a plan!
I will be prayingKatie that
I will be prayingKatie that the Herbs will do the trick. Keep us informed. Hugs
Hi Katie, I rarely post here
Hi Katie, I rarely post here but wanted to let you know that I had my baby at 36 weeks before the test results had come back for strep B so when I went to the hospital they said I had to have the antibiotics. I hadnt researched alternatives as I wasn't positive with my other two so wasn't really worried. I was so worried about having baby early as it was that I took the antibiotics. I had three rounds as my labor lasted forever. I just wanted to let you know that my bladder was fine. I know everyone is different but my bladder was great. I definitely had more reflux about 8 weeks post partum but nothing out of control. I would have definitely done what you are doing if I had had the time but just wanted to reassure you that in my case the antibiotics were not catastrophic. Good luck with everything!
Dayona,
Dayona,
Thank you for sharing your experience AND I sincerely appreciate the reassurance. It seems I am finding out more and more "protocols" during delivery that I have had to fight or sign waivers for......pitocin in third stage, hep b at birth, pertussis booster for me...etc....It boggles my mind how careful we have to be just to keep the toxins out of both my baby and my son's. Congratulations on the birth of your baby!
Katie
Hi Katie,
Hi Katie,
Tried to have a routine PAP and they couldn't do because too much inflamation - typically caused by a bacterial infencion. Their knee jerk response was antibiotics and then two weekds do another PAP. I talked to Dr. B- upped anti-bacerial herbs - added pro-biotics - took golden seal for two weeks - both vaginally and orally - retook PAP and all is well.
The flip side to this is previously fighting a uti for SIX months with herbs - finally caved and took anti-biotics - suffered no long term effects by taking them. I think we try and then have to make the best decision for ourselves and trust that we are doing are best.
Hugs - good to hear from you.
Denise
Hey Denise,
Hey Denise,
Once again in life, it seems there is no "perfect" answer. From the research I have been doing, it is a very low risk for the group B being passed on to the baby.....especially since I have no other risk factors of baby being premature, uterine infection, fever etc, BUT on the off chance that he would become infected, it is a dire situation. If I treat with antibiotics, then I destroy his first precious immune flora and mine......ah, motherhood;)
It is so very good to hear your "voice";)
Katie
Hi Katie,
Hi Katie,
I have no useful advice but just wanted to offer my support and let you know that I've been thinking of you often and I'm sorry youre in such an unfortunate quandry as you approach your due date. I will be sending good thoughts your way that you test negative after taking some herbs to help move the GBS along.
Hey Claire,
Hey Claire,
Thanks for thoughtfully offering your support. I truly feel that I have been blessed with this pregnancy.... after 20 weeks or so, my bladder has been absolutely beautiful, Andrew is in the right position, I am still working full-time and generally feel great. Unfortunately, the Cleveland Clinic protocols are set up that even if I test negative the second time, my OB will still push the antibiotics, which I will have to decline- and yet another waiver form or fight.... sigh. I swear, I am ready to just order a bathtub and have my baby in my living room instead of needed to be so aware of all the toxins the hospital wants to pump into me and my baby out of "protocol".....jeesh.
How are you feeling? I think of you often, as well;)
Katie
Hey Katie- that bathtub is a
Hey Katie- that bathtub is a great idea! I was planning on having Nora at home but then I started thinking about the other 2 kids and the dog and cat- I went back to the Birth Center! One thing I was thinking was- let's say you did have the baby at home- if it was a super fast labor or something- you would never have the time for abx anyway.
Even if you test negative? UGH!!! I think that article you posted is so great- why don't the American hospitals follow that? Geez. Stay strong, superlady. But what a headache.
I feel for you and all women
I feel for you and all women who give birth today. It is soooo scary. I thank God I am done, I can not imagine going through all of this now. My child is 18 and it is enough for me just to make sure she doesn't have to get the Gardisil shots... I feel for you all! Katie, I hope you have any easy delivery and I hope what ever choice you make, it's the best and I hope you are comfortable with all of it. Glad your bladder is doing well!