Group B Strep and a Natural Birth??

My midwife had me take zinc same time everyday in AM and by the next week tested negative.
So in hospital didnt need antbitic for it but eventualy did need IV because my water had been broken for so long and she put me on pitocin cause water broken etc...i am thankful didnt have Csection cause that was my fear w/ pitocin. Good luck and if come up positive try zinc right away

Hello A.:

It appears that the best course of action is to improve your health to prevent GBS again. My clients have all benefited from holistic care pre, during and post pregnancy to remain well and keep baby safe as well. The previous natural birth I assisted was completely safe, no negative effects and mom/baby were completely healthy.

If you would like to schedule a private session with me to improve your health and have the best maternity experience, please give me a call at ###-###-#### or email ____@____.com the best,
N.
Holistic Healthcare Practitioner/Holistic Birth Doula
www.wholecreations.com/wombfull.html

HI A.,
I was GBS + with my son (now 20 months) and I gave birth naturally (Bradley method) in a hospital with a doula and my OB delivered. I did have the antibiotics, and GBS is SO dangerous for newborns that I can't imagine risking it after everything else you have done to have a healthy pregnancy and birth.
For your situation: It takes 60-120 minutes to deliver the entire dose of antibiotic, and the protocol calls for 2 doses in 6 hours. That means that they leave a hepa lock in your hand, and unhook you form the pump until it is time to give the next dose. If it is making you uncomfortable, make sure the nurse knows and ask what can be done (turning down volume, etc). If you do not get the second dose before your baby is born (I did not), then they will take blood from the baby's hand and start a culture to see if anything is developing. Usually, they will know within hours and start antibiotics if necessary. The actual full test results take 4-5 days.
Please remember this- if they are going to test the baby for gbs, ask them to delay the Vitamin K shot until after the blood is drawn, otherwise the blood is clotting and they have to poke the baby several times. You many want to put that in writing on your birth plan, tell your husband,OB or anyone present at the birth.

Please don't let the IV distract from the amazing experience of giving birth. Yes it is an uncomfortable nuisance, especially when your sense of everything is so heightened- but it protects your baby, which is what natural birth is all about!

Hi A.,

I have had several doula clients who were GBS+ and birthed with midwives in a hospital. The midwives administered the antibiotic with a heplock as those above have described. The burning or cold feeling in your veins can be alleviated at least partially by turning down the speed of the drip. Here is a website with some very interesting information about BGS including GBS treatment for homebirth and reducing colinization with alternative treatments.

I am wishing you the very best for a wonderful natural birth.

C.

Central Jersey Birth Services
www.doulanj.com

I didn't give birth at a birthing center, but I did use a midwife. I tested GBS+ as well. They gave me the antibiotics and then unhooked me from the iv. I had the hook-up in my hand (can't remember what they actually call it). I was able to move around and have a completely natural childbirth.

Birthing centers will generally give iv antibiotics for group b strep. I delivered my first at a birth center and was given antibiotics. This time I am planning a home birth and my midwife plans on doing the culture early and treating with garlic (one clove peelled and inserted over night) and tea tree oil during the day. She has found this to be more effective and causes fewer issues than if antibiotics and it doesn't wipe out the baby good bacteria counts.

I was GBS + on my second delivery but not on my first. My first one was very quick. Dilated for weeks up to 6 cm at 37 weeks and no pain. Water finally broke and we had a baby in 2 hours. The GBS numbers for my second delivery were so high the perinatologist and OB had me carrying around oral pills to pop the second my water broke (literally "pop the pills and then call us on the way to the hospital because we will be lucky to catch the baby by the time you arrive".) Long story short, we made it to the hospital in time for the IV.

While GBS+ can be very dangerous for the baby another Dr. in the practice laughed at my pills that I physically carried around for 3 weeks. She said the chance of exposure is extremely low as long as its not a prolonged labor and delivery (more than 24 hours or something). Not a problem in my case. Either way no Dr. would EVER risk it and not administer antibiotics. Unless some of the other holistic approaches cures it, be prepared for the IV hook up. Your midwife should be able tell you the standard protocol and solutions to make you more comfortable. Good luck, the natural birth is amazing!!!

Hi A.,
The only treatment protocol for GBS is the IV antibiotics. You'll have to ask your own midwives if they accept GBS+ moms or if that would risk you out of their practice. There isn't another way that they would treat you.
I have been a Bradley Method childbirth educator since 1996, and I've had quite a number of students who are GBS+. The only thing that changes about your birth is the need for the IV antibiotics. Pitocin does not treat GBS nor does pain medication, those are separate interventions from GBS treatment. Since my students are seeking natural (unmedicated) birth, they understand that getting treated for GBS simply means that you get 2 doses of IV abx, four hours apart. In between those doses, you simply need the heplock, you do not need to be tied to an IV tube, fluids, a pole, meds or anything else, it's just two periods on the IV, about 1/2 hour each, and you don't need to be stuck lying on your back in bed during those times either. Meds that make you itchy are narcotic painkillers, this isn't related to antibiotics for GBS treatment, you aren't required to use pain meds.
Good luck in preparing for the natural birth that you would like!

I see no reason midwives couldn't administer antibiotics in a birthing center. They do in the hospitals (well, the nurses administer them, but the midwives order them).

You can have what they call a hep lock or a med lock in your hand, where there's a port to hook up the IV, but you don't need a continuous drip. They can unhook it after giving the antibiotics, just leaving the little port in place for your second dose later on.

Chances are you will be GBS negative this time, but it's really not a big deal -- or, I think, too inconvenient to get the two small doses of antibiotics if necessary. I would not recommend refusing the antibiotics, though -- the chances are a baby born to an untreated GBS+ mom will be fine, but I believe GBS is the #1 infectious killer of newborns. The antibiotics will make sure your baby isn't part of that statistic, should you test positive.

Good luck!