Natural Ways to Prevent a Positive Group B Strep Test During Pregnancy

If you’re pregnant and preparing for birth, there’s a good chance your provider has mentioned Group B Streptococcus, or GBS. Around 35% of women test positive for it in late pregnancy—but what exactly is it, why are we tested for it, and are there natural ways to support your body to test negative?

Let’s unpack the science, the options, and the natural approaches that many holistic moms and practitioners use to help reduce GBS colonization.

🤔 What is Group B Strep and Why Do We Test for It?

Group B Streptococcus is a type of bacteria that naturally lives in the digestive and lower genital tract of many healthy adults. For most, it causes no problems. But during childbirth, GBS can be passed from mother to baby, sometimes leading to serious infections in newborns such as sepsis, pneumonia, or meningitis.

Because of this risk, the CDC and ACOG recommend routine screening between 36 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. If a woman tests positive, IV antibiotics (usually penicillin) are recommended during labor to reduce the risk of transmitting GBS to the baby.

But here’s the thing—not all babies born to GBS-positive moms get infected. In fact, the rate is relatively low—around 1 in 200 without antibiotics, and 1 in 4000 with antibiotics. This has sparked a movement among natural and holistic birth advocates to look for safe, evidence-based ways to support the microbiome naturally and reduce GBS colonization before testing.

📚 What Does the Research Say?

While there isn’t a ton of research on natural prevention, there are some promising studies:

• Probiotics: Several studies have shown that Lactobacillus probiotics may help prevent or reduce GBS colonization. One study published in Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins (2016) found that daily oral probiotics containing L. rhamnosus and L. reuteri significantly reduced the rate of GBS colonization in pregnant women.

• Garlic and Antimicrobial Foods: While clinical studies are limited, garlic has long been used for its natural antimicrobial properties. Some midwives and functional practitioners suggest eating a clove of raw garlic daily (or taking odorless garlic supplements) during the final trimester.

• Chlorhexidine Rinses (Hibiclens): A 2006 Cochrane review found that vaginal rinses with chlorhexidine (the active ingredient in Hibiclens) before or during labor may reduce neonatal colonization, though they weren’t as effective as IV antibiotics in reducing infection. Still, for those looking for a natural alternative, a dye-free Hibiclens vaginal rinse may be a helpful protocol.

• Diet & Gut Health: A healthy gut microbiome is foundational. Minimizing sugar, eating fermented foods, and supporting digestion may help create an internal environment less conducive to GBS overgrowth.

  
  

🛡️ Natural Support Protocol to Help Prevent GBS Colonization

If you’re hoping to avoid testing positive for GBS, you may consider this gentle, natural approach in the third trimester (always check with your provider or midwife first):

1. Start probiotics by 28–32 weeks: Look for a women’s probiotic with Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. reuteri, and L. acidophilus. These strains support vaginal and gut flora.

2. Eat fermented foods: Add sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, or coconut yogurt to your daily routine.

3. Minimize sugar: Excess sugar feeds harmful bacteria and yeast in the body.

4. Consume garlic daily: One clove of raw garlic (or supplement form) can help reduce bacterial overgrowth.

5. Use Hibiclens rinse or wipes: Starting around 35–36 weeks, some women choose to do gentle external rinses with dye-free Hibiclens 1–2x per week, and before the test if allowed by their provider.

6. Consider vaginal probiotic suppositories: These are available through some functional medicine or holistic providers and can help support healthy flora where it matters most.

   
   

🚫 The Concern with IV Antibiotics in Labor

If you test positive, the standard recommendation is IV antibiotics every 4 hours during labor. While this can be helpful in preventing GBS transmission, there are downsides:

• Restricted movement: Being hooked to an IV limits your ability to walk, move freely, or labor in water—something that’s crucial for many women wanting a natural birth.

• Interrupted flow of labor: Stress or being stationary may slow labor progress, especially in early or active labor.

• Microbiome disruption: Antibiotics wipe out beneficial bacteria too, affecting not only your gut flora but also baby’s early microbiome—possibly increasing the risk of allergies, asthma, or digestive issues later.

  
  

🌿 Alternatives to Consider

If you're GBS positive but hesitant about IV antibiotics, informed consent matters. Talk to your provider or midwife about:

• Timing of antibiotics: Can they be delayed until active labor?

• Chlorhexidine vaginal wipes or washes during labor (as a compromise).

• Monitoring baby after birth instead of automatic antibiotics—this is often allowed in home or birth center settings.

• Probiotics for baby postpartum to support gut health.

  
  

💬 Final Thoughts

Testing positive for GBS doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It’s a common, natural part of the microbiome—but that doesn’t mean we can’t support our bodies to be in balance.

If you’re hoping to test negative for GBS and avoid unnecessary interventions, start early. Supporting your gut, vaginal flora, and overall immune system is not only good for GBS prevention—it’s great for your whole pregnancy.

And remember: You deserve informed options, not fear-based care. Trust your intuition, learn the facts, and work with a provider who respects your birth choices.