A Logic Model-Inspired Review and Analysis of Alternative or Complementary Approaches to Prevent Group B Streptococcal (GBS) Colonization or Infection in Pregnancy or the Newborn Period

10/5/2018

Presented by Marti Perhach, BS

Measurable Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to…
1. Identify the only proven strategy for early-onset GBS disease prevention
2. Identify alternative treatments that are reported to have caused severe adverse events

ABOUT THE PRESENTER:

Marti Perhach, BS
Marti Perhach cofounded Group B Strep International (GBSI) in 2006. Previously she had served as President for GBSI's sister organization, The Jesse Cause, since 1999. GBSI was cofounded to expand the scope and audience of the GBS awareness campaign. She also serves as GBSI’s CEO. Her background is Business Administration with a major in Hotel & Restaurant Management and a minor in Marketing from Cal Poly Pomona. Marti enjoys organizing conference exhibits to share information on how to help protect babies from group B strep disease. Marti's daughter, Rose, was stillborn in 1998 due to group B strep.

Marti Perhach

10/18/2018 08:59:54 am

All comments and perspectives are welcome!

Kristen Entze

10/18/2018 10:39:19 am

I was actually I little bit concerned with all of these alternate remedies I've seen random people with no medical background post all over the internet. I guess it just showed me the need for more research and testing on these "cures" It's a little alarming that there are all these suggestions out there and you know women are doing them hoping it will help protect their babies when it may be causing more harm than good. One "remedy" I was interested in was ingesting coconut oil for it's antibacterial properties but from what I understand it can kill the goods guys too. I think that every woman thinking about these alternative treatments need to do so with a level of caution until more research has been done.

10/18/2018 10:54:50 am

I agree, Kristen. Definitely more research needs to be done in this area. Would be grateful to hear from anyone who could help get research started on the safety and efficacy of various alternative treatments.

Jewel Brighten, CPM, LM link

10/18/2018 11:01:56 am

As a home birth midwife, I am faced with caring for many people who lean more toward CAM and AM in their health care choices. I had a client a few years ago who followed the CDC guidelines. We tested for GBS at 36 weeks and she was negative. We did not "try" to get a negative result and we were prepared to use antibiotics if she tested positive. Her healthy, term baby died at 2 weeks of LOGBS. Due to pp complications she spent several visits in the hospital in the immediate pp period and over several days. Baby was never admitted, but was with her on those trips to the hospital. There is no simple answer to GBS infection, where it comes from, how it can be treated. Universal vaccination also has its down side. Thank you for these presentations!

10/18/2018 11:16:56 am

So true! There is no simple answer to GBS infection. Thank you so much for sharing your and your client's experience. Very sorry about the loss of her baby.

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