|
GBS Info
I do feel in the case of GBS, an ounce of prevention
is worth a pound of cure.
I believe that maintaining an excellent diet during
pregnancy (and before) that is rich in vitamins A,C and E, and contains plenty of fresh onions/garlic, can not only potentially
reduce the incidence of experiencing premature rupture of the membranes by creating a very strong amniotic sac, but it may
even help reduce the incidence of being GBS+ in the first place.
I think another very important factor is avoiding
internal exams, to help prevent dragging any bacteria that may be present up to the cervix. The same is true for good hygiene
practices (wiping front to back, etc).
The way I look at it is that if I am not having any
signs of a possible GBS infection, I don't worry about getting the abx treatment, because only about 40-60% of women are GBS+,
and only 1 in 200 of those babies will be GBS+ after the birth, and a very small number of those (1 in 200 of the 40-60%)
babies have any problems whatsoever related to the GBS, and an even smaller number have more serious issues.
Upon weighing those odds (above) against all of the
odds related to entering the medical system for prenatal care, all in order to be tested for GBS and so that I may go through
anti-biotic treatment if I were to test positive for GBS, and considering that anti-biotics may or may not help, and
has it's own set of possible risks and side effects, I have chosen to stick with the prevention method, although I do keep
a close eye on things when I am pregnant, and if I developed signs of a possible GBS infection, I would get a GBS test done,
and if it were positive, I'd seek abx treatment at that point, since the risks would then outweigh the benefits, at least
in my opinion.
Of course, this is all based on my opinions and my
beliefs, after researching the issue. It is up to everyone to sift through the info that is available to them and make their
own decisions, based on what feels safest and best to them.
We do have a GBS info link on the UC info page, in
the prenatal care section, and the birth section.
Here's the link to the prenatal care page, in case
anyone is interested.:
JMO's.
~Carrie
UC Board CL
I would like to add that probably having too many vaginal exams during early labor has done more to give babies
elevated GBS levels than anything else. Also, many life threatening GBS infections are caught in the hospital *after* the
birth. I'll take my chances at home. Babies are more likely to contract GBS in the hospital or another infection, even resistant
infections, than they are to die from untreated GBS after a homebirth. If my baby has any symptoms of infection, I'll consider
treatment plans. I also feel that the dangers of prophylactic antibiotics are worse than GBS. What we do to prevent
it, is no vag checks from 38 weeks on(but as much sex as we can manage) till quite late in labor. Oh, I check my cervix all
the time. I know when I'm fertile this way, and knew I was miscarrying last time when my cervix came back down and softened
up. Checking your cervix isn't brain surgery, and can easily be done by mom or dad. it's safer to have mom or dad do it as
they are already used to their own bacteria. I think medical people are the worst ones to do these checks, because they deal
with sick people and work in an environment where people are sick. They and their environment are crawling with the worst
possible microbes! It's a necessary part of their job. Good nutrition is also important, well nourished bodies can
keep infection in check best. We also birth in water, which dilutes bacteria, making infection during birth less likely. Because
our births are not medicalized, babies move through the birth canal at optimal speed (pitocin doesn't actually speed labor,
it just deprives the baby of oxygen, and makes birth more painful and dysfunctional, studies that have compared pitocin labors
with natural labors have shown that the pitocin given to speed things up, on average didn't), again reducing odds of infection.
See, BirthLove for details. Henci Goer has two wonderful books that also
detail much of this, one is called "Obstetric Myths Verses Research Realities", the other is "The Thinking Woman's Guide to
Pregnancy". GentleBirth also has a great deal of helpful information.
Kiley
I didn't worry about it my last UC and am not worrying about it this time for the same reasons as Carrie already
mentioned. I don't do vag checks so I believe it's even less of a worry for me than the average woman under the care of a
doctor or midwife.
Diane
|
