In my experience as a doula, I have supported many women who used antibiotics during their labors because they tested positive for Group B Strep. Group B Strep (GBS) is a normal bacteria found in a woman's vagina. It typically comes and goes during a woman's cycle and only presents a problem if the bacteria is present at the time of birth. Even then, the problem comes from the potential for a negative outcome, not from a definite negative occurrence. The concern is that the bacteria may transfer to the baby and may cause an illness that can be severe. Most women are tested for the presence of GBS towards the end of pregnancy. If they test positive, they receive antibiotics during their labor. This might not seem like a big deal, but there are a few problems associated with this protocol. First of all, antibiotics would not only rid the body of the unwanted bacteria, it would also rid the body of its healthy flora...in both the mother and the baby. Tiny babe is coming into a strange and dirty world and really needs all of the good bacteria that he/she can get! Not to mention the really frustrating fact that the mother has to be hooked up to an IV while receiving the antibiotics, reducing her freedom of movement. This is obviously not the end of the world, but I have been with women who have found this the most frustrating and difficult part of labor!
Because of my experiences, I was really, really hoping that I would not be GBS+ when I decided to get tested towards the end of my pregnancy. Unfortunately I was positive. Luckily, I had an awesome home birth midwife (www.motherlandmidwifery.com) who suggested I try to cleanse my system and go back for a retest closer to my due date. So...I used tea tree oil vaginal suppositories for one week to cleanse. In addition, I started a daily regimen of vitamin C, echinacea, and garlic to enhance my immunity along with multiple forms of probiotics in order to replace and enhance my healthy bacteria. The probiotics not only included supplements, but I also focused on eating yogurt, kefir, and miso.
When I went in for my second GBS screening (at 41 weeks and still pregnant), the midwife who saw me was rather skeptical. Turns out, it worked! I was no longer GBS positive! I was one happy lady... (Did I mention that I had an awesome home birth midwife?)
I wish that hospitals would offer this information and a second screening as an option to any woman who was interested in changing her GBS status. I realize it might be inconvenient, and it might cost more money, but it can work - and when it works, wouldn't that save a lot of inconvenience and money...wouldn't it make labor better for the woman and safer for the baby? Aren't they the ones who really matter?
(For any woman who does receive antibiotics during her labor, it is important that she focus on a heavy intake of probiotics for at least a few weeks after the birth in order to replace her healthy flora as well as the baby's.)
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