Group Beta Streptococcus - What You Need To Know
When you are pregnant, there is a never ending litany of testing that you go through to ensure you and your baby’s safety. One of those tests is for Group Beta Streptococcus, or GBS.
What is GBS?
GBS is a colonization of bacteria that lives in up to one-third of pregnant people’s intestinal tracts, and can be completely normal and without any impact on the pregnant person at all. However, if pregnant, this group of bacteria can have some pretty serious complications for baby.
What does GBS do?
If a person tests positive for GBS in the third trimester of their pregnancy (when pregnant women are tested) and it’s left untreated, it can increase the chances that their baby will develop meningitis and bloodstream infections, among other complications, in the first few months of baby’s life. While only 1-2% of babies will colonize GBS, that can lead to dozens of babies needing intensive care at birth. Your baby’s microbiome within their gut has not been seeded, right up until just before birth. Seeding the microbiome is an important part of the birth, and happens once the protective sac around your baby is ruptured. To put it simply, once your water breaks, your baby is exposed to what will seed their gut, and if GBS is present, it can cause some serious complications.
How is GBS treated?
Once a pregnant person tests positive for GBS, they are typically given antibiotics to fight the bacteria and ensure a safe birth for their baby. Studies show that taking antibiotics while in labor impacts vaginal flora, which helps to seed your baby’s gut, as discussed above. Just like with any treatment path, there are always risks, side effects, and things to consider. Taking antibiotics during labor may be the best course of treatment, but you want to make sure you weigh all your options with your provider.
However, there may be a more holistic approach to counteracting the common bacteria build up in your gut. The thought behind those who choose a holistic approach is that, since the bacteria is a naturally occurring phenomenon within the gut, that a natural approach should be enough to remedy it. Here are some natural tactics to take to reverse - or avoid completely - GBS in pregnancy.
Note: Please discuss all natural remedies with your medical provider to ensure your safety and the safety of your baby prior to utilizing.
Probiotics - Foods like kefir, kombucha, yogurt, sauerkraut - anything naturally high in probiotics can help to keep your gut biome healthy and clear of GBS. If you add a probiotic orally and/or vaginally, that can also help to keep the bacteria at bay
Raw Garlic Cloves or Supplements - Garlic is naturally antibacterial, and so eating a few cloves a day can also help your gut biome balance and prevent or treat GBS. If you can’t stomach eating garlic raw, especially during pregnancy, try a garlic supplement.
Everyday Kitchen Items - In addition to eating a few cloves of garlic a day, there are some remedies you can utilize that most people have in their homes already! Coconut oil, which has natural anti-viral properties, can be ingested to promote good gut health. Using plain, organic yogurt vaginally is an option as well. Lastly, a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse vaginally can also help to treat or prevent GBS.
Vitamin C - Large quantities of Vitamin C (2000 mg daily) can help prevent and treat GBS. Most get this mount via supplements, but adding Vitamin C in where you can with low sugar foods such as kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and lemons.
Ultimately, if you are diagnosed with GBS in your third trimester, it’s worth discussing natural remedies with your doctor, however in the end doing what is best for you and your baby is the ultimate decision. Hopefully some of these tips will help prevent GBS in pregnancies ongoing for some!
Let us know in the comments or by contacting us today if you’ve tried any of these remedies fo GBS! We’d love you hear your experiences with preventing and treating GBS!
