Ashley Wexler Photography

Group B Strep (GBS) is a common bacteria usually found in the intestinal tract, and can also be found in the vagina of pregnant women. In normal, healthy adults GBS is generally harmless, however if you are pregnant and are diagnosed with GBS, it can be passed to your baby during delivery and can cause serious infections. If you are diagnosed with GBS, you will be given IV antibiotics as soon as your water breaks, or as soon as labor begins- whichever comes first, in order to prevent passing it along to your baby. But there are precautions you can take to prevent, and sometimes even get rid of Group B Strep naturally. I followed this protocol during my pregnancy and tested negative for Group B strep! I recommend beginning this regimen around week 32 of pregnancy:

• High quality probiotics- Probiotics support the growth of healthy flora in the gut, which affects the flora in the birth canal (aim for one with at least 4 billion cells per dose) along with incorporating fermented and probiotic rich foods into your diet such as sauerkraut, kefir, and yogurt regularly
• 1000mg Vitamin C daily- supports the immune system and strengthens the amniotic sac to reduce premature rupture, which can increase the likelihood of GBS infection
• Raw garlic or garlic capsules daily- I recommend 2-4 cloves per day in addition to whatever you cook with. Mince the garlic and allow it to sit for 10 minutes to activate the anti-microbial compound allicin, then add to food or swallow it down with some water. Taking garlic in its raw form is ideal, but if you can't tolerate this, you can get garlic capsules instead
• Insert one raw garlic clove vaginally at night 1-2x per week
• Raw Apple cider vinegar- mix 2 teaspoons of raw apple cider vinegar in water daily during the last trimester to prevent colonization. You can drink it down like a shot, or add it to hot water with honey and sip it. Raw apple cider vinegar is great for overall digestion and often helps ease heartburn too!
• Avoid sugar and refined carbs, since sugar helps bacteria and yeast to grow and thrive.

Have you had success treating GBS naturally? Let me know what worked for you!