Group B Streptococcus, more commonly known in pregnancy as GBS, is a type of bacteria that can be found in the digestive or reproductive tracts of many adults without causing any problems. During pregnancy, if the GBS is transmitted from the mother to the newborn, the baby could develop a serious infection that could prove to be life threatening. Obstetricians typically perform a painless vaginal and rectal swab in the last few weeks of pregnancy to test for the presence of these bacteria. Mothers who test positive for GBS have several treatment options.
Intravenous Antibiotics
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that mothers who are GBS positive receive intravenous antibiotics during labor. Currently, the recommendation is for a minimum of two doses of antibiotic prior to the birth, with penicillin and ampicillin most commonly administered. A potential side effect of antibiotic treatment is a yeast infection in the mother and thrush in the baby. Antibiotics do not specifically target GBS but kill the normal, beneficial bacteria in the body as well, allowing yeast cells to multiply. Thrush is an overgrowth of yeast, a type of fungus, in the mouth which is characterized by a white coating, especially on the tongue.
Vaginal Douche
At the onset of labor, douching with Hibiclens soap (also known as chlorhexidine) has been noted to eliminate colonization of GBS in the vagina, as reported by midwife Ronnie Falcao of Gentlebirth.org. Hibiclens' effect lasts for no more than two days, which limits its use to active labor only. And because it does not eliminate colonization of the bacteria in the digestive tract, the bacteria will recur in the vagina. An additional benefit of Hibiclens is that it does not destroy the normal bacteria present in the vagina or other areas of the body as intravenous antibiotic treatment does. The American College of Community Midwives supports a study performed in 2002 which verified that a Hibiclens wash is equally effective as antibiotics in eliminating GBS bacteria. Additionally, Hibiclens was shown to be more effective than antibiotics in eliminating other harmful bacteria, such as E. coli.
Natural Remedies
Other natural remedies for the treatment of GBS during pregnancy include the use of garlic. Ms. Falcao recommends placing one peeled garlic clove into the vagina at bedtime each night for three nights prior to being tested. Remove the garlic promptly in the morning and discard. Garlic acts as a natural antibiotic and will eliminate GBS growth in the vagina.
The Birth Source recommends using essential oils for the elimination of GBS. Lemon, oregano and mountain savory essential oils are mixed together and administered via gelatin capsules three times a day. A tampon can also be soaked in these essential oils along with a carrier oil such as olive oil or vegetable oil and used nightly six weeks prior to the expected due date.
These treatment options, though frequently used by midwives, have not been verified as safe or effective by the medical community. These alternative treatments are used by individuals desiring a natural approach to eliminating GBS colonization and should be discussed thoroughly with your medical provider prior to treatment. Use of these remedies in place of a proven treatment plan may be unsafe for both mother and baby.
