Group Beta Streptococcus (GBS) is a bacteria that lives in about a quarter of all pregnant women’s gut. It rarely causes symptoms in adults, similar to other gut bacteria such as E. coli. Babies, however, can contract the bacteria through the birth process if the mother is carrying it in the vaginal canal, and can become very ill. The baby contracting GBS from the mother is rare (about 1,000 of all babies born in the U.S. each year), but concerning. If a pregnant mother is positive, there should be no internal exams during the pregnancy, no artificial rupturing of the membranes (AROM) without a good reason such as imminent delivery, and especially no intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC) or internal fetal monitoring (IFM). Logic dictates that if GBS is at the vaginal entrance, then we shouldn’t be pushing it up to the cervix by internal exam. The CDC recommends IV antibiotics (Ampicillin is the antibiotic of choice) during labor. Your midwife can do this at home during labor.

The major risk factors for babies concerning GBS infection are:

• baby born before 37 weeks gestation
• maternal signs of infection during labor (fever, chills, etc.)
• ruptured membranes (broken water) for more than 18 hours
• previous baby with GBS infection

There are some things pregnant mothers can do to prevent overgrowth of GBS in the gut, and therefore, the vagina. These suggestions are not designed to mask or skew the results of the test. They are designed to reduce the population of GBS in the mother’s body if she carries the bacteria.

Take a probiotic throughout pregnancy to promote good gut health. Jarro-dophilus is a good probiotic to take, but any probiotic that promotes good gut health is good (acidophilus is always good). There are many probiotics on the shelves now, and they are improving all the time. Talk to your midwife before taking any supplements or medications.

Eat an apple a day – with the skin on! The old adage of “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is true! Apple skins contain prebiotics that compliments probiotics to keep the good bacteria grow well in the gut.

One regimen for women who want to avoid over-colonization with GBS before the screen, or who wish to treat GBS if they do test positive, and then re-test is:

• Acidophilus (or other probiotic)
• Echinacea – 350 mg capsules x2 caps
• Garlic – 580 mg capsules x2 caps
• Vitamin C – 500 mg w/200mg bioflavonoids
• Grapefruit seed extract – 15 drops or one capsule
• Zinc & Vitamin B-6 can also be added w/beneficial results

Visit the CDC’s website and ask your midwife for more information and statistics on GBS.