Are you looking for natural remedies for Group B Strep in pregnancy? Wondering how to use raw garlic vaginally? Need to know more about yogurt sex? Wondering how many drops of tea tree oil your tampon needs? Well, look no further because I have created the ultimate guide just for you!

Before we jump in I thought I would briefly explain what Group B Strep is and why women might seek a natural remedy instead of the typical antibiotic treatment.

What is Group B Strep in Pregnancy?

Group Beta Strep (GBS) is a normal bacteria found in the intestines and vagina. According to the CDC 10-30% of women are colonized with this normal bacteria. The problem with GBS is that it can cause GBS disease in infants which can cause sepsis, pneumonia and sometimes even meningitis. Symptoms in infants may include…

• fever
• feeding problems
• breathing problems
• irritability or fussiness
• inactivity or limpness
• inability to maintain an adequate body temperature

Standard protocol for GBS+ pregnant women is to administer antibiotics during labor. This protocol has been effective as it has decreased the number of GBS disease in infants from 1.7 cases per 1,000 live births in the early 1990s to 0.34–0.37 cases per 1,000 live births in more recent years. Woot!

However, many women prefer to avoid antibiotics and the use of IV’s during labor. Instead, many use natural remedies for group b strep in pregnancy in hopes that they will…

1. prevent the initial positive test
2. eliminate GBS bacteria after a positive test and/or
3. use alternative preventative measures during labor

By using the natural remedies for Group B Strep outlined in this post hopefully you too, can have a healthy pregnancy, birth and postpartum (and baby!) all without antibiotics.

Natural Remedies for Group B Strep in Pregnancy

The following is the ultimate guide to natural remedies for Group B Strep in pregnancy. To create this amazing resource I have pulled from many reputable sources all over the internet.

To learn more about each suggested alternative protocol, click the link in the name of each website for the details about each natural remedy.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I’ll do my best to get back with you!

TIP:  If you test positive spend a good week or two doing some of the protocol listed below and then RE-TEST before labor. Often when women re-test their results come back negative. It’s worth the effort so that antibiotics can be avoided during labor!

Holistic Squid

Holistic Squid gives a great list of natural remedies for Group B Strep. The best part, however, is their garlic vaginal suppository protocol.

• Probiotics (orally)
• Vitamin C Supplementation (orally)
• Burdock Root and Echinacea Root Infusions (orally)
• Echinacea and Astragalus Tinctures (orally)
• Grapefruit Seed Extract (orally)
• Raw Garlic (orally)
• Raw Garlic (vaginally) ===> (Here is an amazing vaginal garlic protocol for GBS prevention.)

Evidence Based Birth

Evidence Based Birth doesn’t go into depth about natural remedies for Group B Strep, but does a fantastic job of outlining… you guessed it, what the research says about GBS and its treatments. This website is a great place to start on your journey to prevent and/or treat GBS.

• Colloidal Silver (orally)
• Probiotics (orally and vaginally)
• Raw Garlic (vaginally)
• Hibiclens at the Beginning of Labor
• Risk-Based Approach (to be used during labor)

Wellness Mama

Wellness Mama jumps right in with the garlic vaginal suppositories and vaginal rinses. God bless our husbands and partners.

• Vitamin C Supplementation
• Raw Garlic (orally)
• Raw Garlic (vaginally)
• Coconut Oil (orally)
• Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse (vaginally)
• Probiotics (orally)
• Fermented Foods and Beverages

Nourishing Joy

Nourishing Joy took things a step further with the yogurt douche, but she also discussed water birth as a method of reducing the risk during labor, which is totally interesting.

• Probiotic Diet
• Alkaline Diet
• Probiotics (orally)
• Reduce or Eliminate Dietary Sugar
• Probiotics (vaginally)
• Yogurt Douche
• Raw Garlic (vaginally)
• Herbal Oil Suppositories
• Hibiclens at the Beginning of Labor
• Water Birth

Mommypotamus

Mommypotamus introduces us to the apple cider vinegar bath, but everything else in her post has been mentioned by others.

• Fermented Foods
• Probiotics (orally)
• Raw Garlic (orally)
• Raw Garlic (vaginally)
• Echinacea and Astragalus Tincture (orally)
• Burdock Root and Echinacea Infusion (orally)
• Apple Cider Vinegar Bath
• Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic (orally)
• Vitamin C Supplementation

Dr. Momma

Dr. Momma suggests a few things not mentioned yet: An immune booster tincture, colloidal silver, tea tree oil tampons, Oregon grape root tincture and Hibiclens during labor. Lots of good information here!

• PB-8 Acidophilus (orally)
• Immune Booster Tincture (orally)
• Oregon Grape Root Tincture (orally)
• Foods Rich in Vitamin C
• Raw Garlic (vaginally)
• Raw Garlic (orally)
• Colloidal Silver (orally)
• DIY Organic Olive Oil and Tea Tree Oil Tampon
• Hibiclens at the Beginning of Labor

Gentle Birth

Gentle Birth was the blog that introduced me to the concept of yogurt sex. I can never delete that image from my brain. Other than that fun natural remedy for Group Beta Strep, this post discusses goldenseal tincture, lavender oil and hot yarrow douches, echinacea tea and echinacea supplements. This post is lengthy and hard to read but has a TON of interesting information!

• Yogurt Sex
• Essential Oil Vaginal Suppositories
• Goldenseal Tincture Douche
• Warm Water and Lavender Oil (not essential oil) Douche
• Hot Yarrow Herbal Douche
• Echinacea Tea or Supplements (orally)
• Hibiclens at the Beginning of Labor

Live Strong

Live Strong has good information on how to make an echinacea infusion and ideas about different types of vaginal flushes.

• Fermented Foods
• Fresh Fruit (fruit salad is delicious!) and Vegetables
• Echinacea Infusions (orally)
• Vaginal Flushes
• Vaginal Probiotic Suppositories
• Probiotic Supplementation (orally)

Stand and Deliver

I love Stand and Deliver’s post because it’s been around awhile (2008) and has some great ideas: grapefruit seed extract, homeopathic remedies and herbal-C suppositories.

• Acidophilus or pro-biotic supplement: 4 billion cells per dose (orally)
• Echinacea Capsules (orally)
• Garlic Capsules (orally)
• Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids (orally)
• Grapefruit Seed Extract (orally)
• Homeopathic Streptococcynum (orally)
• Herbal-C Suppositories (vaginally)

Rebooted Mom

The unique thing on Rebooted Mom’s post is the rosehip tea!

• Raw Kefir (orally)
• Coconut Oil (orally)
• Apple Cider Vinegar (orally)
• Raw Garlic (orally)
• Rosehip Tea (orally)
• Yogurt (orally)

Just Making Noise

Just Making Noise takes the cake on rubbing “all the things” in and around the vagina. I’m surprised she didn’t mention yogurt sex. Disappointed more than surprised. 😉

• Fermented Foods
• Eat Superfoods
• Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (orally)
• Avoid Antibiotics
• Food Based Vitamin C Supplementation (orally)
• Probiotic Supplementation (orally)
• Coconut Oil in and Around the Vagina
• Raw Garlic (vaginally)
• Raw Garlic (orally)
• Cotton Underwear
• Ask for a Vaginal Swab Only (and Not Rectal)
• Tea Tree Essential Oil Vaginal Suppository
• Rub Kefir in and Around Vaginal Area