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GBS, or Group Beta Streptococcus, is an colonization that affects many people and around 1/4 to 1/3 of women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Many people carry this bacteria in their digestive systems with no problem, but it can cause complications in a newborns of mothers who are colonized.
Mothers are often tested for Group B Strep in the third trimester of pregnancy and if they are positive, are usually given antibiotics during labor. I tested positive for GBS in my fourth pregnancy, though I eradicated it and tested negative before the birth, and then I tested negative in my next pregnancy (thus the title of the post). As there is a very small chance of serious and life threatening complications for baby in GBS positive moms (even with antibiotic use), I wanted to share what worked for me in hopes it would help other women avoid this risk to baby. This is just my experience and is not intended to be medical advice.
For more information on the risks associated with GBS and with antibiotic treatment, check out this well-researched article. This page provides a compilation of a lot of research on GBS and antibiotic use.
Natural Remedies for GBS
GBS certainly has the potential to be serious and shouldn’t be ignored, but antibiotics carry their own risks and can cause problems as well. Especially with all the emerging research about the transfer of gut flora and immunity from mother to baby during delivery, it would definitely be preferable not to take antibiotics if it can be avoided (especially if testing positive for GBS can be avoided in the first place).
The good news is, at least in my case, GBS can be avoided with natural remedies.
As GBS occurs naturally in the digestive tract for some people, I felt it was important to treat the digestive tract as a whole when working to eliminate GBS instead of just focusing on the genital area. A probiotic rich diet is beneficial for overall health,and I also found it helpful in getting rid of GBS.
When researching, I found the following advice for treating/preventing GBS:
- Eating a probiotic rich diet including things like Kombucha, Water Kefir, Yogurt, Sauerkraut and other fermented foods to help create a healthy gut environment.
- Taking a probiotic supplement and using it vaginally (I used this one orally daily and vaginally every day or two).
- Consuming garlic capsules or raw garlic cloves daily.
- Consuming Coconut Oil for its naturally antiviral properties.
- Using plain organic yogurt vaginally to help balance bacteria.
- Taking Vitamin C daily.
- Using a Chlorhexidine rinse vaginally before and during labor. (This is the usual protocol) This was a last resort for me and I was glad to not have to use it, as the emerging evidence about the bacterial transfer during labor brings this practice into question.
- Consuming raw apple cider vinegar daily and using it as a diluted rinse.
What I Did That Worked
With my fourth pregnancy, I tested positive at 35 weeks for GBS and then at 37 weeks was tested again and the result was negative. What I did during that time (and what a friend did successfully after testing positive very early in her pregnancy) that worked:
- Took 2,000 mg of Vitamin C in divided doses each day
- Consuming 2 cloves of raw garlic each day by finely mincing them and drinking them down with water
- Consuming at least 2 Tablespoons of coconut oil daily for its antibacterial/antiviral properties
- Using a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse vaginally each day
- Taking 6+ probiotic capsules a day
- Consuming large amounts of fermented foods and drinks
- Using a garlic clove vaginally for one night (anecdotal evidence supports that this is very effective)
In my next pregnancy to prevent GBS to begin with, I followed a protocol that is recommended by a midwife I know (and she is yet to have a case of GBS when a mom is following this):
- Taking a high quality probiotic daily (I took 2-4 of these) and occasionally using them vaginally.
- Taking 2,000 mg of Vitamin C daily
- Taking garlic capsules daily
Have you ever had GBS while pregnant? What did you do? Share below!
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How far along into your fifth pregnancy did your start the protocol?
Beginning of third trimester
I got to the hospital at 10cm with waters in tact… there was no time for antibiotics. If I test positive again I won’t take the abx again (unless there’s signs of infection), but I’d rather not fight that as well as everything else I disagree with. Thanks for the information!
Hi. I tested GBS positive when pregnant with my son and unfortunately didn’t know enough back then to do anything about it. I had antibiotics during labor and I blame that for the multiple allergies my son has. Since then, I’ve done some reading on it and it’s my understanding that mom’s “good” bacteria is passed to the baby as they pass through the birth canal. It literally goes in their mouth and nose. And you want them to get the good bacteria because that’s what helps them jumpstart their own immune system.
So, it would seem to me that the best option is to do the oral supplements and avoid having to insert anything vaginally if at all possible. Something like garlic would definitely kill ALL bacteria — both the good and the bad. On the other hand, my opinion would be that it is better to do an insert than to have to take IV antibiotics… so if it comes to that it seems to still be the better option.
One last thing: GBS is a rare but valid health concern and I would remind pregnant moms who use one of the above protocols that even after they test negative, they need to keep up the protocol until the baby is born (to ensure that the GBS bacteria doesn’t re-colonize before birth).
Just a note about garlic, I’m not an herbalist but I’ve read in my herbal books that garlic in fact kills “bad” bacteria but the good bacteria stays, and thus you are not upsetting healthy balance buy using it. So, I would look more into garlic or speak to an herbalist before assuming that “garlic would definitely kill ALL bacteria — both the good and the bad.”
I had it with my first pregnancy, and assumed I would with this one. I got tested a week ago and it was negative. I was already doing some of the things listed here, like taking a high dose of probiotics and consuming lots of coconut oil, that must have done it.
This information is great and I have shared it with my wife.
I have been looking for probiotics and it seems like a minefield out there. Is there a specific brand or type that it’s better for general/family health?
Thanks
If you live in the States be sure to get Garden of Life Brand “Primal Defence” supplements. I live in Canada and they are unavailable here (silly government!) They are a little pricey, but SO worth it as they truly can heal and maintain imbalanced gut flora, which is where GBS issues come from in the first place.
same issue here-way too many choices and how do you know they will work? Of course the price is a huge factor for those with little money like myself 🙁
My girlfriend shared this with me and I am so very grateful! It’s my first pregnancy and I’m about 10 weeks. Thankfully my midwife/doctor tested for GBS among other things because I found out that I do have it. When I asked what to do to combat it, the nurse mainly said cranberry juice and apple juice. It’s good to read your blog though and find out more about its origin as well as ways to combat it. I’ll be stopping by the co-op to get start integrating your suggestions into my diet.
PS – I’ve tried a garlic clove in my vagina one for a yeast infection and it did indeed work 😉
I am glad I ran into this on pintrest! I am currently 16 weeks along with my 5th baby and all 4 of my previous pregnancies I have tested positive for GBS. I was wondering if you suggest that follow this recipe for the remainder of my pregnancy or only for a certain amount of time?:
Taking a high quality probiotic daily (I took 2-4 of these) and occasionally using them vaginally.
Taking 2,000 mg of Vitamin C daily
Taking garlic capsules daily
Also, how many probiotic pills do I take daily? I have a midwife, do I need to check with her before I start taking this on a regular basis or no? Thanks for your advice on GBS, I look forward to hearing your response!
My midwife was fine with all of these from the beginning of the first trimester on.. She definitely suggested it for the third trimester though. I’d check to be safe, but none of it should hurt…
i recently tested positive for GBS and am currently following your protocol so i can do a retest. I am 38 weeks and really want to get a negative test… im just wondering if a week is enough time… also, even if i do get a negative the second time around im not sure they will allow me to go home, i might have to go to the hospital. (im giving birth in a birth center) has anyone had any luck with getting out of going to the hospital? If i have to pick one thing to do, hospital for observation or antibiotics which is the lesser evil? thanks!!
It could be enough time… depends on your body. That’s a tough call, but if I got a negative test, I’d opt no hospital and no antibiotics, and if still positive, maybe consider antibiotics over hospital. Just me personally though…
I had GBS with my daughter and I was so bummed! I had an un-medicated birth besides the penicillin for GBS and I was so disappointed that I had to have an IV. Next time if I am positive for GBS, I will have to try this!
Hi, I am attempting to rid myself of GBS after testing positive with just a few weeks before my expected due date. I am curious about the diluted apple cider vaginal vinegar rinse. Is there a particular ratio and did you use the rinse internally or externally? Thanks so much!
I used it externally and used about 1 tablespoon in a cup of water…
just to clarify… externally as in over the basic vaginal area? (sorry to ask for specificity) not as a douche?
I’m wondering this too….