There are some suggestions out there that may help prevent pregnant women from getting Group B Step, a bacteria naturally found in the vagina and rectum that affects 30% of women.
Disclaimer: I am not saying that if you follow these natural remedies, you are 100% guaranteed to never get it. However, the theory is a healthy immune system and vaginal environment decreases the risk of getting GBS.
1. Don't Shave Your Pubic Hair
After reading on many forums, the debate on shave or not shave for labor and / or cervical checks, my midwife gave me the load down of the importance of not shaving. Yes, you heard right, not shaving. What? The myth is that having a shaved vagina is hygienic, when, in fact, it may increase your chances for getting infections, such as yeast. She explained that pubic hair has a job to do, one of its jobs is protecting from bacteria and infections.
2. Wipe Front To Back
Supposedly following healthy behavior habits, such as this rule increases a healthy vaginal environment that helps prevent GBS.
3. Avoid Douching
Douching can alter the PH balance in the vagina and creates a friendly environment for GBS.
According to the article, Facts Women (And Men) Should Know About The Vagina, "It's normal to have bacteria in your vagina. In fact, there are some bacteria known as lactobacilli that keep the acidity of the vagina in the normal range". Barnes says, "I always tell my patients to avoid douching. Flushing out the vagina with anything that might kill the lactobacilli can result in an overgrowth of other types of problematic bacteria."
4. Avoid Washing Between Your Legs With Soap
I was a little surprised by this one too. Supposedly normal vaginal secretions do not need to be addressed with soap, and washing with soap is doing more harm than good. The suggestion is to wash with plain water.
5. Take Probiotics
My midwife also encouraged taking a probiotic if I was not already during the third trimester. According to WellnessMama.com's article, How I Avoid and Got Rid of Group B Step, one of the things her midwife recommended to help prevent Group B Step was to take 2-4 capsules of a high-quality probiotic.
6. Take Vitamin C
According to WellnessMama.com's article, How I Avoid and Got Rid of Group B Step, one of the things her midwife recommended to help prevent Group B Step was taking 2,000 mg of Vitamin C daily.
7. Take Vitamin E
According to Naturalbirthandbabycare.com's article How To Prevent Group B Step, they suggest in addition to Vitamin C, also taking 400 IU of Vitamin E per day.
"How to Prevent Group B Step in Pregnancy" NaturalBirthandBabyCare.com. Natural Birth & Baby Care, 2015. Web. 24 Dec. 2015. <http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/prevent-group-b-strep/>.
Thrasybule, Linda. "7 Facts Women (And Men) Should Know About the Vagina." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 29 June 2012. Web. 24 Dec. 2015. <http://www.livescience.com/36516-facts-women-vagina-health-myths.html?li_source=LI&li_medium=most-popular>.
Wellness Mama. "How I Avoided & Got Rid of Group B Step." Wellness Mama. Wellness Mama, 2015. Web. 24 Dec. 2015. <http://wellnessmama.com/8680/avoid-gbs/>.
Disclaimer: I am not saying that if you follow these natural remedies, you are 100% guaranteed to never get it. However, the theory is a healthy immune system and vaginal environment decreases the risk of getting GBS.
1. Don't Shave Your Pubic Hair
After reading on many forums, the debate on shave or not shave for labor and / or cervical checks, my midwife gave me the load down of the importance of not shaving. Yes, you heard right, not shaving. What? The myth is that having a shaved vagina is hygienic, when, in fact, it may increase your chances for getting infections, such as yeast. She explained that pubic hair has a job to do, one of its jobs is protecting from bacteria and infections.
2. Wipe Front To Back
Supposedly following healthy behavior habits, such as this rule increases a healthy vaginal environment that helps prevent GBS.
3. Avoid Douching
Douching can alter the PH balance in the vagina and creates a friendly environment for GBS.
According to the article, Facts Women (And Men) Should Know About The Vagina, "It's normal to have bacteria in your vagina. In fact, there are some bacteria known as lactobacilli that keep the acidity of the vagina in the normal range". Barnes says, "I always tell my patients to avoid douching. Flushing out the vagina with anything that might kill the lactobacilli can result in an overgrowth of other types of problematic bacteria."
4. Avoid Washing Between Your Legs With Soap
I was a little surprised by this one too. Supposedly normal vaginal secretions do not need to be addressed with soap, and washing with soap is doing more harm than good. The suggestion is to wash with plain water.
5. Take Probiotics
My midwife also encouraged taking a probiotic if I was not already during the third trimester. According to WellnessMama.com's article, How I Avoid and Got Rid of Group B Step, one of the things her midwife recommended to help prevent Group B Step was to take 2-4 capsules of a high-quality probiotic.
6. Take Vitamin C
According to WellnessMama.com's article, How I Avoid and Got Rid of Group B Step, one of the things her midwife recommended to help prevent Group B Step was taking 2,000 mg of Vitamin C daily.
7. Take Vitamin E
According to Naturalbirthandbabycare.com's article How To Prevent Group B Step, they suggest in addition to Vitamin C, also taking 400 IU of Vitamin E per day.
- Bibliography -
"How to Prevent Group B Step in Pregnancy" NaturalBirthandBabyCare.com. Natural Birth & Baby Care, 2015. Web. 24 Dec. 2015. <http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/prevent-group-b-strep/>.
Thrasybule, Linda. "7 Facts Women (And Men) Should Know About the Vagina." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 29 June 2012. Web. 24 Dec. 2015. <http://www.livescience.com/36516-facts-women-vagina-health-myths.html?li_source=LI&li_medium=most-popular>.
Wellness Mama. "How I Avoided & Got Rid of Group B Step." Wellness Mama. Wellness Mama, 2015. Web. 24 Dec. 2015. <http://wellnessmama.com/8680/avoid-gbs/>.
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