Tiny Toes Midwifery

Group B Strep testing is extremely controversial, even among midwives. GBS is a bacteria that can colonize the va**na. It usually does not cause any symptoms or problems in the mama, but the baby can become infected during delivery.

It is controversial because…
• Prophylactic treatment means many mamas and newborns get unnecessary antibiotics as a “preventative” measure
• Group B Strep infection in the newborn can be life-threatening
• There’s no way to know with accuracy which babies will become infected
• There is no known effective treatment for positive GBS that will prevent the baby from becoming infected other than prophylactic antibiotics

What are the risks of GBS?
• 18% of mamas test positive for GBS
• 1-2% of babies will contract Early-Onset GBS disease
• 6.9% of full term babies sick with this will die
• 18% of babies sick with this will have serious neurological problems

Can testing help?
• Treatment with antibiotics can reduce change of *early onset GBS disease* by 83%, but does not prevent *late-onset GBS disease*
• Testing can prevent unnecessary antibiotics given to mom and/or baby
• Testing can allow for better informed decision making in situations such as having the waters broken for a prolonged period

It is extremely important to make an informed choice about this test because of the ramifications of either decision. GBS is difficult, because of the lack of effective and pointed treatment for infected babies without unnecessary interventions for the many babies that will not become infected.

{ For a concise booklet covering information about pregnancy and postpartum testing, follow the link in my bio to purchase a copy of Simply Healthy Pregnancy Testing from my Etsy shop! }

Have you ever wondered what exactly is being drawn and why during pregnancy?

While some blood work is similar between midwives and OB care, midwifery blood work is usually more in-depth, with a goal of addressing problems and preventing complications from happening in the first place.

Routine labs often include:

• Obstetric Panel
- Complete blood count (see below)
- Blood type in case a blood transfusion is needed
- Rh factor to rule out blood incompatibility with baby
- Antibody screen for antibodies that could attack baby
- Rubella immunity screen
- Hepatitis B scene
- HIV screen
- Syphilis screen

• Complete Blood Count includes:
- Hemoglobin is the blood’s oxygen carrying capacity
- White Blood Cell count to screen for infection
- Platelet count to assess clotting ability

• Blood Glucose
- A1c measures the average blood glucose level over the past 3 months
- Blood glucose for Oral Glucose Tolerance Test or Glucose Challenge

Additional tests that midwives more commonly run include:

• Thyroid panel
• Vitamin D levels
• MTHFR to assess body’s ability to utilize folic acid
• Complete Metabolic panel to assess liver function
• Hormones such as progesterone to help pinpoint hormone dysfunction so that support can be given where needed
• Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing to test for genetic abnormalities of the baby through mama’s blood

Again, our job as midwives is to SUPPORT the body to function optimally.

Some women may choose less intervention and less testing. Some women may choose more testing to pinpoint body weaknesses.

And midwives support women.

{ For a concise booklet covering information about pregnancy and postpartum testing, follow the link in my bio to purchase a copy of Simply Healthy Pregnancy Testing from my Etsy shop! }

Happy New Year!!

To all the mamas with new babies in their arms — may this year bring wellness and joy and closeness. Wellness to you and your babies, joy in God’s gift of motherhood, and closeness to your baby no matter the difficulties that try to interfere.

To expecting mamas, eager to meet their little ones this upcoming year — may this year bring hope and wisdom and peace. Hope of meeting your little one this year, wisdom to make the best decisions for you and your baby, and peace to know that while we are not perfect parents, there is a God we can entrust with our imperfect decisions.

To those hoping to become mamas this year — may this year bring encouragement and courage and strength. Encouragement to keep pressing on in your journey, courage to hope through the pain of waiting, and strength to endure it .

To mamas who have loved and lost — may this year bring solace and hope and tenderness. Solace in God with you in every trial, hope for a future in heaven where there is no loss or sorrow or parting, and tenderness from those near to soothe your soul.

And to those who have accepted the silent “no” — may this year bring you expectation and nearness and rest. Expectation in God’s plans that He has for you, nearness to Him in a way you have not experienced before, and rest in His joy to give you His very best.

This year may or may not be what we expect, yet “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭32‬

Happy New Year ❤️