Guides › HIV, pregnancy and women’s health

Are pregnant women automatically offered HIV testing?

It is now recommended in many parts of the world. In the UK healthcare providers have been required since 1999 to offer and recommend that all pregnant women have an HIV test. This is now part of routine prenatal care.

It is important for a woman to take an HIV test when she is pregnant. Her ability to look after her own treatment, health and well being is improved when she knows if she has HIV or not.

This knowledge also means that she can be aware of how she can protect her baby from HIV, if she tests positive.

April 2009

Decisions relating to your treatment should always be taken in consultation with your doctor. Information in this guide is intended to support those discussions.

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