In this episode of Taking Back Birth, I talk about some of the biggest myths about Group B Strep.
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We are mamas and midwives who decided to do birth differently– and bring others along with us. We are radical, fun to work with, and great at (lovingly) calling people on their bullshit to help move us all towards a new more beautiful world. With 12 children and over two decades of midwifery between us, we’ve learned a thing or two along the way, and Indie Birth is our space to share it all with you.
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Fantastic information! In my “gut” I knew this was a “new health crisis” when Strep B suddenly came out of the woodwork a few years ago. I never had any testing through my pregnancies from 1980 onward. Thank you Maryn for putting in the effort & research to expose these myths!
Thanks for this great podcast (and all the others you share with us!) and shining a light of truth on GBS.. I feel as though I listened a day too late and unfortunately self administered the GBS test at my 36 week check up, because my midwife made me feel as though it was mandatory… upon further reading in Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering a woman has a right to refuse any tests, like GBS. Something the medical world doesn’t want strong minded women to know. That being said- does anyone know if it’s illegal to refuse antibiotic treatment during birth if a woman has GBS culture and not infection upon further testing (urinalysis) after a positive vaginal/rectal swab?
Thanks!
Is antibiotics in labor the protocol your midwife uses, if you were to test positive? Most homebirth midwives are luckily still not administering antbx at home and usually encourage natural treatments. As far as declining antbx from hospital protocol, in theory you should be able to decline anything! In practice, it will depend on each practitioner. Good luck!
I refuse antibiotics in a hospital. You should be able to refuse anything that doesn’t sit well with you. They may be mad, but they can’t make you. Even c-section can be declined, unless you have a court order…
This information is SO helpful! Is there a resource that you love for a good protocol for restoring vaginal and or gut balance?
Hi Maryn, thank you so much for this podcast, it was really interesting to listen to! I am almost 37 weeks pregnant and tested positive for Strep B. I struggle with the decision to accept or deny antibiotics, I keep going back and forth. My question is, can my baby develop an infection only if I have the infection first? Or is this random, and could happen after he’s colonized?
What can I do now to protect my baby? I’ve been taking a probiotic (Pro-Moms) but still tested positive, though I don’t know if that means much.
Hi! I’m on the same boat now as you were back then! Can I ask what you chose to do? Thank you!
Yes yes yes !!! This podcast is everything. Many of my questions and concerns were talked about and I’ve gotten a ton answers that I was looking for. I have never been the one to take medicine or run to the doctor for every little ache and changing that due to being pregnant was a no go for me. I always tell people to really get to know your body and when something is really wrong. This is my first pregnancy and it’s been amazing so far and makes me feel so proud to be able to stick with what I feel is right for the myself and the baby.
Thank you for covering this! I help admin an unassisted birthing group & have a passion for healthy natural birth advocation, assisted by a nursing & critical thinking background.. ANYWAYS..
Found it very interesting that GBS & Candida enjoy a similar Ph.
Also what prompted me to comment was Re: uniform testing resulting in better outcomes… Id add that prophylactic Tx actually WORSENS outcomes but it wont manifest as a statistic b/c it wont be attributed to this (proph ABX).
Disrupting the healthy flora colonization of the gut of baby & mom, causing many problems such as immune dysfunction, imbalanced gut flora which can cause immune, behavioral, neurological, digestive, & more issues !!
Heck, just the unwarranted stress & fear on moms alone is a risk versus benefit which should be avoided!!
Not to mention IT MAKES MORE MONEY AND BILLING CODES!!
I say dont test, just be aware of it, and assess baby for signs of infection, treat if needed.
Just like prophylactic eye ointment for potential gonorrhea even in negative moms is RIDICULOUS!
but it makes for both fear and profits… and we are the “game” ripe for harvest esp when pregnant and fearing for our children .
Love this coverage and if anyone is interested in my own, look up
SimplySavvyLife on youtube.. Out of all my videos I have 2 on birth so far and more coming if anyone is interested!
Thanks!
Hello, Thanks you for this episode. It’s been troubling as a new midwife who distrusts widespread antibiotic use (my mother nearly died of MRSA), because I practice in a community of midwives who administers abx at home for GBS positive folks. I’m wondering if you can put links to the studies you reference. Some of them differ quite dramatically from the Evidence Based Birth handout I had originally used. I’m trying to update my protocol/ informed choice handout and I like to put references on all my ICDs.
I’m almost 35w and was just reading about GBS in my natural birth book. I’ll be doing a hospital birth and find that I need to research every little thing. My next OB appt wants to test for GBS, and thank you for taking the time to put this podcast together. I understand so much more and why it’s best not to do the swab test or accept antibiotics, and you’re the only website I could find with this kind of information. Every mama needs to listen to this!