Steps to avoid GBS before your baby’s birth*

Written by​ ​​Claire​ ​Dawn, Herbalist,​ ​Photographer,​ ​and​ ​Infant​ ​Potty​ ​Training​ ​Coach

Message​ ​from​ ​Claire:

It’s​ ​good​ ​to​ ​work​ ​towards​ ​avoiding​ ​group​ ​b​ ​strep​ ​(GBS)​ ​​ ​right​ ​from​ ​the​ ​start​ ​as​ ​a​ ​daily​ ​practice​ ​so​ ​you won’t​ ​be​ ​impacted​ ​by​ ​the​ ​medical​ ​protocols​ ​at​ ​your​ ​baby’s​ ​birth. Here​ ​is​ ​my​ ​suggested​ ​protocol​ ​based​ ​on​ ​my​ ​own​ ​training​ ​and​ ​experience​ ​and​ ​also​ ​some​ ​input​ ​from​ ​my midwife,​ ​Heather​ ​Briggs,​ ​&​ ​doula,​ ​Lucy​ ​Yanow.​ ​I​ ​have​ ​included​ ​a​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​methods​ ​to​ ​help​ ​prevent​ ​GBS as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​specific​ ​products​ ​to​ ​use​ ​internally​ ​which​ ​will​ ​have​ ​additional​ ​health​ ​benefits​ ​even​ ​after​ ​the​ ​birth!

The​ ​topical​ ​ideas​ ​can​ ​be​ ​used​ ​for​ ​the​ ​weeks​ ​prior​ ​to​ ​a​ ​GBS​ ​test,​ ​and​ ​occasionally​ ​prior​ ​to​ ​your​ ​baby’s birth,​ ​for​ ​a​ ​healthy​ ​vaginal​ ​canal.​ ​Babies​ ​get​ ​much​ ​of​ ​their​ ​intestinal​ ​flora​ ​by​ ​passing​ ​through​ ​the​ ​birth canal.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​end​ ​up​ ​with​ ​a​ ​c-section,​ ​swabbing​ ​your​ ​little​ ​ones​ ​mouth​ ​with​ ​some,​ ​for​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​a​ ​more eloquent​ ​term,​ ​”vagina​ ​juice”,​ ​can​ ​help​ ​them​ ​have​ ​a​ ​healthier​ ​gut​ ​for​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​of​ ​their​ ​lives!

All​ ​of​ ​the​ ​suggested​ ​products​ ​can​ ​be​ ​found​ ​online​ ​at​ ​rosemarysgarden.com​ ​,​ ​Vitacost.com​ ​or​ ​contact​ ​your local​ ​health​ ​food​ ​and​ ​supplement​ ​store.

GBS Protocol: Topical​

(To​ ​be​ ​inserted​ ​vaginally)

• Tea​ ​tree​ ​suppositories
  • Very​ ​antimicrobial
  • Insert​ ​one​ ​per​ ​day​ ​upon​ ​waking​ ​for​ ​the​ ​two​ ​weeks​ ​prior​ ​to​ ​the​ ​GBS​ ​test.​ ​(If​ ​you​ ​only​ ​know about​ ​the​ ​test​ ​one​ ​week​ ​prior,​ ​do​ ​it​ ​for​ ​that​ ​whole​ ​week).​ ​Insert​ ​it​ ​as​ ​high​ ​up​ ​in​ ​the​ ​vagina as​ ​possible.
  • If​ ​vaginal​ ​flora​ ​seems​ ​compromised​ ​in​ ​any​ ​way​ ​(yeasty,​ ​itchy,​ ​inflamed​ ​or​ ​uncomfortable) then​ ​try​ ​one​ ​in​ ​the​ ​morning​ ​and​ ​another​ ​in​ ​the​ ​evening​ ​for​ ​a​ ​couple​ ​days
  • If​ ​you​ ​would​ ​like​ ​to​ ​make​ ​your​ ​own​ ​tea​ ​tree​ ​suppository,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​resources​ ​and directions​ ​in​ ​some​ ​pregnancy​ ​books​ ​and​ ​websites.
• Aviva​ ​Romm​ ​is​ ​very​ ​knowledgeable​ ​with​ ​all​ ​things​ ​pregnancy​ ​and​ ​baby​ ​and​ ​has many​ ​wonderful​ ​books​ ​and​ ​a​ ​helpful​ ​website.​ ​Though​ ​I​ ​would​ ​personally​ ​omit​ ​the comfort​ ​powder,​ ​her​ ​recipe​ ​is​ ​very​ ​medicinal.​ ​Here’s​ ​the​ ​link​ ​to​ ​her​ ​vaginal infection recipe.
• Here’s​ ​a​ ​more​ ​basic yeast prevention​ ​recipe​
• Whenever​ ​possible,​ ​organic​ ​is​ ​the​ ​best​ ​choice​ ​for​ ​these​ ​ingredients.​ ​You​ ​can​ ​find most​  yeast prevention ingredients ​ ​here​.
  • Wear​ ​a​ ​pantyliner​ ​as​ ​suppositories​ ​can​ ​leak
• Probiotics​ ​like​ ​HealthForce​ ​‘FemProbio’​ ​or​ ​Garden​ ​of​ ​Life​ ​‘Vaginal​ ​Care
  • Boosts​ ​beneficial​ ​bacteria​ ​“flora”​ ​in​ ​the​ ​vaginal​ ​canal
  • There​ ​are​ ​2​ ​options​ ​for​ ​inserting​ ​probiotics​ ​before​ ​bed:
    • Option​ ​1​ ​-​ ​Insert​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​capsule​ ​as​ ​high​ ​as​ ​possible.​ ​avoid​ ​anything​ ​labeled as​ ​enteric​ ​coated,​ ​as​ ​it​ ​won’t​ ​absorb​ ​well​ ​enough
    • Option​ ​2:​ ​Empty​ ​a​ ​capsule​ ​into​ ​a​ ​little​ ​cup​ ​and​ ​dip​ ​a​ ​damp​ ​finger​ ​in​ ​to​ ​coat,​ ​then insert​ ​and​ ​swipe​ ​in​ ​vagina​ ​as​ ​deep​ ​as​ ​is​ ​comfortable;
• Vinegar​ ​&​ ​Water
  •  Rinse/sweep​ ​vaginal​ ​canal​ ​using​ ​finger​ ​dipped​ ​in​ ​rinse
  • 2​ ​tbs​ ​water​ ​to​ ​1​ ​tbs​ ​vinegar,​ ​or​ ​4​ ​tsp​ ​water​ ​to​ ​1​ ​tsp​ ​vinegar​ ​if​ ​the​ ​former​ ​feels​ ​too​ ​strong
    I’ve​ ​used​ ​both​ ​apple​ ​cider​ ​&​ ​white,​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​severity​ ​of​ ​situation,​ ​as​ ​white​ ​seems stronger.
• Whole​ ​peeled​ ​garlic​ ​clove
  • Peel​ ​a​ ​clove​ ​of​ ​garlic.​ ​Using​ ​a​ ​needle,​ ​thread​ ​a​ ​piece​ ​of​ ​natural​ ​dental​ ​floss​ ​through​ ​it​ ​and
    tie​ ​the​ ​down​ ​floss​ ​to​ ​it​ ​so​ ​the​ ​string​ ​hangs​ ​out.​ ​​ ​Insert​ ​into​ ​the​ ​vagina​ ​as​ ​deep​ ​as​ ​is
    comfortable.
  • Leave​ ​in​ ​place​ ​for​ ​anywhere​ ​from​ ​2-8​ ​hours
  • Here’s​ ​an​ ​informative​ ​link​ ​on​ ​garlic​ ​and​ ​GBS
• Plain​ ​unsweetened​ ​yogurt
  • Boosts​ ​beneficial​ ​bacteria​ ​populations​ ​and​ ​is​ ​very​ ​soothing​ ​for​ ​yeast​ ​infections
  • Swipe​ ​a​ ​fingerful​ ​into​ ​your​ ​vagina​ ​as​ ​deep​ ​as​ ​is​ ​comfortable
  • Can​ ​be​ ​used​ ​throughout​ ​pregnancy
• Keep​​ ​your​ ​vagina​ ​clean
  • Avoid​ ​using​ ​soaps​ ​on​ ​your​ ​vagina
  • Wear​ ​only​ ​cotton​ ​undies,​ ​or​ ​no​ ​undies​ ​at​ ​all!!!

GBS Protocol: Internal

• Garlic
  • Eat​ ​as​ ​much​ ​as​ ​you​ ​are​ ​comfortable​ ​with,​ ​no​ ​need​ ​to​ ​over​ ​do​ ​it
  • If​ ​you​ ​have​ ​trouble​ ​digesting​ ​garlic,​ ​feel​ ​free​ ​to​ ​only​ ​use​ ​it​ ​topically.
• Plain​ ​organic​ ​unsweetened​ ​yogurt
  • Works​ ​to​ ​increase​ ​helpful​ ​beneficial​ ​bacteria
  • Eat​ ​as​ ​often​ ​as​ ​you​ ​like​ ​as​ ​much​ ​as​ ​you​ ​are​ ​comfortable​ ​with
  • If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​dairy​ ​intolerant,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​many​ ​non-dairy​ ​options​ ​available.
• Host​ ​Defense​ ​’My​ ​Community’
  • medicinal​ ​mushroom​ ​blend​ ​for​ ​immune​ ​support​ ​&​ ​antimicrobial​ ​action
  • Use​ ​according​ ​to​ ​bottle,​ ​2-4​ ​droppers​ ​in​ ​the​ ​morning
  • Preferably​ ​the​ ​liquid,​ ​but​ ​capsules​ ​are​ ​ok
• Cranberry​ ​juice
  • Supports​ ​healthy​ ​urinary​ ​tract​ ​and​ ​body​ ​ecology
  • Start​ ​every​ ​morning​ ​with​ ​a​ ​splash​ ​of​ ​cranberry​ ​juice​ ​(unsweetened)​ ​in​ ​8​ ​oz​ ​purified​ ​water
• Urban​ ​Moonshine​ ​’Chamomile​ ​Bitters’
  • Supports​ ​digestive​ ​health​ ​&​ ​aids​ ​detoxification
  • Use​ ​1-3​ ​sprays​ ​before​ ​each​ ​meal​ ​or​ ​during​ ​times​ ​of​ ​indigestion
• Health​ ​Force​ ​Nutritionals​ ​’Vitamin​ ​C’
  • Supports​ ​immune​ ​function
  • Use​ ​according​ ​to​ ​bottle.​ ​This​ ​can​ ​be​ ​sprinkled​ ​on​ ​your​ ​yogurt​ ​snack​ ​at​ ​night​ ​or​ ​add​ ​to your​ ​cranberry​ ​juice​ ​in​ ​the​ ​morning
• Lemon​ ​juice
  • Rich​ ​in​ ​vitamin​ ​C​ ​and​ ​aids​ ​detoxification
  • Be​ ​sure​ ​to​ ​rinse​ ​your​ ​mouth​ ​with​ ​water,​ ​preferably​ ​warm,​ ​after​ ​any​ ​citrus​ ​juices​ ​to​ ​protect
    the​ ​enamel​ ​on​ ​your​ ​teeth
  • A​ ​splash​ ​can​ ​be​ ​added​ ​to​ ​your​ ​morning​ ​cranberry​ ​juice
• Herb​ ​Pharm​ ​’Echinacea’
  • Use​ ​specifically​ ​the​ ​week​ ​or​ ​two​ ​prior​ ​to​ ​GBS​ ​test
  • 25​ ​drops​ ​3x​ ​day​ ​in​ ​a​ ​little​ ​hot​ ​water
  • Immune​ ​supportive
• HealthAid​ ​’FemProbio’​ ​or​ ​Garden​ ​of​ ​Life​ ​‘Vaginal​ ​Care’​ ​Probiotics
  • These​ ​two​ ​brands​ ​include​ ​lactobacillus​ ​reuteri,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​specific​ ​against​ ​GBS​ ​&​ ​supports
    general​ ​digestive​ ​&​ ​vaginal​ ​health
  • Use​ ​1​ ​capsule​ ​in​ ​the​ ​morning,​ ​and​ ​for​ ​optional​ ​extra​ ​probiotic​ ​boost​ ​take​ ​another​ ​at​ ​night
    Additional​ ​fermented​ ​foods​ ​to​ ​support​ ​digestive​ ​health​ ​are​ ​a​ ​plus,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​sauerkraut,​ ​kefir,​ ​and miso
• You​ ​can​ ​make​ ​a​ ​pregnancy​ ​safe​ ​herbal​ ​chai​ ​including​ ​burdock,​ ​fennel,​ ​rose​ ​hips,​ ​elderberries, cinnamon,​ ​and​ ​cardamom
  • Add​ ​1⁄4​ ​cup​ ​herbs​ ​to​ ​a​ ​quart​ ​of​ ​boiling​ ​water​ ​and​ ​then​ ​simmer​ ​on​ ​low​ ​for​ ​10-30​ ​minutes, strain​ ​and​ ​add​ ​honey​ ​or​ ​some​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​milk​ ​if​ ​desired.​ ​It​ ​can​ ​be​ ​enjoyed​ ​cold.
  • Supports​ ​digestion,​ ​immune​ ​function,​ ​and​ ​blood​ ​sugar​ ​balance
• Avoid​ ​most​ ​sugars,​ ​especially​ ​refined​ ​white​ ​sugars​ ​&​ ​refined​ ​carbohydrates

For​ ​any​ ​questions about the GBS Protocol

Feel​ ​free​ ​to​ ​contact​ ​Claire​ or​ ​visit​ ​GoDiaperFree ​to​ ​view​ ​my​ ​other​ ​services

*MEDICAL​ ​DISCLAIMER
The GBS protocol contains general information about medical conditions and treatments. The information is not
advice,​ ​and​ ​should​ ​not​ ​be​ ​treated​ ​as​ ​such.

Limitation​ ​of​ ​warranties
The medical information in this booklet is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied. Rachel Yellin makes no representations or warranties in relation to the medical information in this booklet or on​ ​her​ ​website.

Professional​ ​assistance
You must not rely on the information in this booklet as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition you should seek immediate medical attention. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice,​ ​or​ ​discontinue​ ​medical​ ​treatment​ ​because​ ​of​ ​information​ ​in​ ​this​ ​article.

Liability
Nothing in this medical disclaimer will limit any of our liabilities in any way that is not permitted under applicable law, or​ ​exclude​ ​any​ ​of​ ​our​ ​liabilities​ ​that​ ​may​ ​not​ ​be​ ​excluded​ ​under​ ​applicable​ ​law.