Natural cure for group B Strep!

[Vornsta]

I just wanted to share a recent experience. I tested positive for group B Strep and was advised by a doula who was advised by Michel Odent to try garlic inside the vagina for 3-5 days. You use a peeled cut clove and thread it with cotton so you can get it out again (I was a bit silly on this the first time and didn't bother - cue amusing moments with husband trying to retrieve it - don't recommend this)
I did it for 4 days and a repeat test has just come back negative!
Must be worth a try (assuming your waters haven't gone to be on the safe side) - if you can cope with the aesthetic issues!

Yes. Can that have an effect?

Ok, thanks for all the advice, I had to mull it over in my head ... but I have just been on the phone to the GSB test thingy and have ordered a test. If it comes back negative before I go into labour (I'm 38 weeks) I will do without the antibiotics .... the obstetrician said, only a small amount of babies get infected, so she was reassuring ... nevertheless

Hello

Some of you may be aware that I have been campaigning for some time now (various other threads on mumsnet including here ) to raise awareness of issues surrounding GBS. I have been watching this thread with interest as I believe it is healthy to have discussion on all viewpoints surronding the various issues, especially if these include new ideas on how to overcome the problems associated with same. Now, whilst not wanting to detract from new ideas, I was a bit concerned about this particular one as it seems to concentrate on 'before labour/birth'. I asked Jane at GBSS what their stance on this 'garlic' issue was. Have copied the main part of her reply:

"There's a fundamental problem with the concept proposed - you'd want to aim for eradication of GBS carriage at the time of labour & delivery, not at some point before then during the pregnancy. As the main reservoir of GBS carriage is the gastro-intestinal tract, it's difficult to see how the proposed intervention with garlic would eradicate GBS carriage.

Even if an enrichment swab were negative for GBS immediately after garlic treatment, this would not be convincing - one would need to see data showing absence of carriage over the following days and weeks.

So, whilst GBSS is extremely interested in supporting and promoting proven methods of preventing GBS infections in babies, this isn't an approach we'd wish to support."

Hopefully this is of help to some of you.

butterfly

Just to further clarify my post below, Jane would like me to point out that GBSS:

"recommend rather than advise - the charity's constitution means we can only recommend, and we wouldn't want to advise in individual situations: that's the responsibility of the individual's health professionals who can be fully aware of the whole medical history of the person in question".

butterfly

Butterfly,

Thanks a lot for the info ... I just keep on getting so much conflicting information that I am confused, one doctor says: definitely antibiotics at birth, the other says: there is only a very small risk ... so who does one believe??? but reading through previous threads, I would not want to put baby at risk, so will go for antibiotics for myself.

Is there anything that should be tested on the baby after birth ... I'm reluctant to have too much done to it, cause it has had a rough time during birth anyway. But some mums were saying the septicemia in their child had not been diagnosed until 12 month later makes me sort of worried.

Has anyone thought that the garlic might interfere with the test - giving a false negative result? Sorry to sound dismissive. I personally wouldn't risk it, but I already have a daughter disabled by GBS.

Here hopefully is a link to my earlier thread on GBS. GBS infection, as opposed to carriage IS rare. But i in 1000 babies are currently infected which could be prevented with IV antibiotics

www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=49&threadid=73132&stamp=050422094121

Yes, you could be right. My test arrived today, and I havent used garlic since sunday,so I wonder how long it takes the bacterial flora to go back to its original state ... but like butterfly says, the Strep B is located in your gasto - intestinal tract, so it can basically flare up whenever ...I guess.

Sorry to hear about your daughter. I have a daughter who had leucemia, she is fine now but I know what a worry it is to have a sick child

GBSbaby, having just done the test, if the vaginal test is negative due to the garlic, that still leaves the rectal test ... ...unless of course one has been using garlic there too

It would be great if it did work. Fun for our other halves too!

Blimey, I hadn't checked this thread since my last post. It is very interesting to read but I'm sorry if I created more difficult decisions for people. What was the result Claudi2? I was negative for vaginal and rectal swabs post garlic -only used it vaginally. The garlic is absorbed into your bloodstream so it affects other parts of the body - this is why some people can taste garlic when a vaginal pessary is in situ- I could, it was wierd.