GBS What is it? Why does it happen? Can it be prevented or cured? If you have it once will you have it again?

GBS stands for Group B Strep which is one of many types of bacteria that lives in the vaginal system of any healthy adult woman. In small amounts this bacteria is helpful, however if it starts to colonize in large numbers it can be dangerous if the baby passes through the birth canal at that point or if your water has been broken for quite a while.

Just like other infections, it can resolve itself on its own. However, if you test positive most doctors are going to want to give you antibiotics during your labor to "keep the baby from getting GBS". Antibiotics has been shown to reduce the risk of the baby contracting GBS from 1 in 200 (without antibiotics) to 1 in 4000 (with antibiotics). However, antibiotics have downsides as well. And there are more natural ways to deal with it. This website has lots of good information.

Here are some thoughts though for deciding what to do if you have already been diagnosed with GBS:

• Most women are tested at between 35-37 weeks of pregnancy to determine if there is a risk of a baby becoming infected with GBS. Just like every test during pregnancy you can choose to not be tested for it. If you are not going to do antibiotics (regardless of the results of the test) then it would probably be best to just refuse the test altogether along with the antibiotics for your baby and yourself at the hospital. 
• If you have been tested and found to be GBS positive demand to be retested every week until you have your baby since many GBS infections resolve themselves and most doctors will NOT offer to retest you.
• Just because you had GBS before does NOT mean you will have it again and just because you were negative last time does NOT mean you will be negative this time.
• Just because you have a GBS infection does not mean your baby will contract the disease or have any problems. (The stats on that are listed above) However, for some that will be a risk they are willing to take and for others it will not, but either way know what you desire in the area and have it written in your birth plan and stick to your instincts!

Here is another blog about keeping yourself healthy, she gives some ideas that will also help with GBS. I don't necessarily agree with a couple of the things she recommends such as using silver to prevent disease. But if you are looking for some options for preventing and treating GBS naturally then that website will definitely be of help. 

Antibiotics aren't the end of the world, but they do cause some problems, such as thrush, antibiotic resistance in children, stays in the NICU and inability to "room in" in certain hospitals and all that can lead to issues breastfeeding. But your choices must be right for you and your family.

-Always consult a trusted medical professional about your medical decisions and do your own research!-

The Cowgirl Doula 

Services of a Doula

These services will not be the same for every doula, but these are the services I offer:

Prenatal:

• 3 visits over coffee or at your house to get to know one another, for me to learn about your previous birth experiences, what you desire from this birth, what support you would like from me, and medical updates (such as the baby is breech, scheduling a c-section or induction, or just changes to your birth plan in general)
• A prenatal library of books about birth, breastfeeding, labor, babies, nutrition, etc. These are free for any of my clients to use
• On call 24/7 for questions and advice as well as emergencies
• If you are worried about hearing bad news at an appointment and have no one else to go with you I will attend 2 appointments with you (possibly more depending on the situation)
• Help with writing a birth plan, information on parenting and childbirth, and addressing any labor questions you have.
• Information on evidence based medical practices when requested
• Information of risks and benefits of procedures during pregnancy and labor
• Unwavering support during pregnancy for decisions you and your family make

Labor:

• Providing certain labor aids (birth/yoga ball, music, candles, heat packs, oils and massage help, counter pressure items, a snack pack for other labor support person(s), toys/entertainment for other children, help cleaning or preparing for baby, etc. (many of these items will be discussed at the prenatal meetings)
• 24/7 on call 
• Will attend you while at home in active labor, at the hospital, or birth center
• Offer emotional, physical and continuous support throughout labor for both you, your labor support person(s) and your healthcare provider(s)

Postpartum

• 3 postpartum visits
• Breastfeeding support
• Postpartum library on parenting advice
• Help processing birth/birth story
• Check on bonding and answer any questions
• On call 24/7 for advice or questions for 2 weeks following birth (could be longer depending on certain situations)

Pregnancy Loss

• On call 24/7 for questions, emergencies and procedures
• Support during loss and time after loss (these will be case by case on duration and length of time meeting)
• Help in processing your loss
• Support for labor in loss situations 
• Library support books on recovering and mourning loss
• Support for choices during loss and after loss

If you have questions please feel free to call and ask (or email!) and I am willing under certain circumstances to provide other help on a case by case basis. I would like to remind everyone that these services are provided to anyone within 2 hours of Lubbock, TX and that all services are free for now because I am still in the training phase. I am also willing to work with other doulas, so if you wish to use a doula with the hospital of your choice as well as me that is wonderful! I am also willing to work with another doula that you hire (such as for homebirths or hospitals that don't have doulas included). I would love to serve you and your family during such an intimate time.

-Sarah
The Cowgirl Doula

Breastfeeding and Nursing in Public

These cards from Best for Babes are to give to encourage women who are breastfeeding and help them in case they have issues with harassment while nursing in public can be found here: 

The NIP (nursing in public) harassment line was created to learn about ways people harass nursing women, get accurate statistics, counsel women who are harassed and encourage them to seek the help of local legal personnel (such as police in states that protect breastfeeding women and their babies rights). Most people, regardless of whether they breastfed their babies or not recognize the effort that goes into breastfeeding a child and the accomplishment that it is to be able to breastfeed a child (especially in public). 

Support these women and the NIP harassment line by buying these card for $3 (you get 10) and free shipping. Please also call the NIP harassment line if you ever face problems while breastfeeding (especially in public).