Group B-Strep     

 

Beta Strep is a bacteria that is normally present in the vaginal area of some women.  While B-Strep is harmless to the woman, it may cause severe respiratory problems in the newborn.  For this reason, most doctors will test for B-Strep at about 37 weeks.  If you are B-Strep positive, the routine medical protocol is to administer IV antibiotics to you during labor. 

A summary of Group Beta Strep statistics is available here  

If you are planning a homebirth, you may wish to ask your doctor to perform the test at 35 weeks.  There is an alternative method of antibiotic treatment that involves 4 shots of penicillin (one shot a week for four weeks) which you will want to discuss  with your doctor if you are B-Strep positive. This may also be a wise option to take if you have had a precipitous (less than 2-3 hours) labor in the past. 

 

There are also several holistic treatment options for B-Strep positive women (see links below).  The esteemed researcher Michel Odent, MD has designed a protocol which simply entails washing the vagina with Hibiclense (chlorohexidine) during labor. Odent's protocol has proven to be as effective as IV antibiotics.  http://www.hpakids.org/holistic-health/articles/171/1/Preventing-Group-B-Streptococcus

 

For more information  go to:

Treating group B strep: are antibiotics necessary?

Treat Group B Strep During The Late Third Trimester

Abstract about Prenatal Penicillin IM for Intrapartum GBS Prophylaxis

How to Treat a Vaginal Infection With a Clove of Garlic

 

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