twelve weeks, 6 days

This is really an amazing journey that God has placed us on. Already, I am learning what a full-time job motherhood can be. Wanting the best for our little one, I have spent many hours researching and learning about how to best care for Baby Mann. I have so much to learn! I am particularly thankful for family and friends, their experience, and their willingness to answer all my questions and talk with me.

One thing that has been particularly challenging for me is the tug-of-war I'm in from the traditional medical establishment and those who take a more natural approach to childbirth. I have learned more about bacteria, human anatomy, and health insurance than I ever wanted to know. (Did you know that the "six-pack" muscle actually splits in two as the pregnancy belly expands?!)

The biggest concern that I'm dealing with right now is the fact that (according to my doctor's office) I "must" get pumped full of antibiotics during labor in the event that I test positive for Group B Strep, a bacteria that grows naturally in about 10% to 30% of pregnant women. Even though I only have this relatively small chance of testing positive, it's still been consuming much of my thought and research. You see, I am inclined to view antibiotics as a last-resort measure for a sick person, rather than a preventative treatment! I was disappointed at the response of my nurse-midwife when I asked her about opting out of this treatment, who looked me in the eye and said very seriously, "Most babies die from GBS." I responded that, well, I hadn't researched it enough and we left it at that.

As it turns out, only 0.5% to 2% of babies born to GBS-positive mothers NOT treated with antibiotics even get infected. Of that number, only 6% die (from blood infection, meningitis, or pneumonia). That means that 3 out of 10,000 babies born to GBS-positive mothers NOT treated with antibiotics will die. I don't think that even comes close to "most." Furthermore, there are other risk factors, which I probably will not have, that by far increase the risk of the baby being infected by GBS, whether I test positive or not (premature, poor hygiene, etc.). In addition, studies have shown that while antibiotics have worked fairly effectively (though not perfectly) to reduce the number of baby GBS infections, infection from other dangerous bacteria, such as E. coli, have increased. Many of these other bacteria have developed antibiotic-resistant strains since the introduction of this preventative antibiotic treatment during labor.

I am under the impression that this preventative treatment has become so common because of a group that arose in the '90s to specifically raise awareness of GBS infection in babies. How many other minute risks, bacterias, and viruses are there out there that aren't being addressed in the manner of GBS simply because there isn't a group spreading antibiotic propaganda? I have to admit that this whole experience has caused me to question everything the doctor's office tells me and also makes me wonder what other scare tactics they may use to try and induce me, do a C-section, use pain medications or any other number of things I wish to avoid. If I test positive, it will be a difficult decision. Meanwhile, I'm just praying the test will be negative and am planning a supplemental health regimen of vitamin C, garlic, and other goodies.

So you can see why I say being a mom is already a full time job for me. I feel like the search for truth is endless. I could go on about why I think antibiotics are unhealthy, but I don't want to bore you too much!

I did have an appointment last Thursday, where I met the midwife and had a general check-up (for my own health). I also got to hear Baby Mann's heartbeat! Despite the comment from the midwife, hearing our little one's heartbeat made the whole appointment seem great, of course! I really can't wait until I'm 20 weeks, when we get our 2nd ultrasound. I'm already counting down the days! Meanwhile, I've got some pregnancy Pilates video to do, so I'd better get going. I'd love to hear your comments!

http://www.mothering.com/articles/pregnancy_birth/birth_preparation/group-b.html