Group Streptococcus B (GBS) Testing and how to improve your chances for being negative

At around week 35-36 in a woman’s pregnancy, there is a test for Streptococcus which is done by swabbing the perianal area of the body.    The bacterium comes from the bodies’ intestinal tract and can be transferred to the vaginal area of the body.  This bacterium is normally harmless in most adults except in diabetics or those with liver disease. In a new born, it can cause serious problems.  If a woman is found to be positive for GBS, they will receive antibiotics at labor usually in an IV to prevent the infant from getting infected.

If a baby is infected, most are fine but there are some that get GBS disease and these are the following symptoms:

Lethargy
Fever
Difficulty feeding
Irritability
Difficulty breathing

One of the signs that you may have GBS is present is that you may have diarrhea or constipation; or basically a non-working digestive tract.  One of the ways I have already tried to prevent being positive for GBS is doing citrus seed and probiotic for 1 month prior to the testing.  This doesn’t mean I won’t be negative during testing but it has worked with both pregnancies so far!