Guides › HIV, pregnancy and women’s health

Are there any tests that I should not have?

Some tests and procedures commonly used to evaluate mothers and developing babies carry a theoretical risk of increased HIV transmission.

However, this risk has not been clearly demonstrated in a study of women taking combination therapy.

HIV positive pregnant women are generally advised to avoid the following tests unless they are essential:

Foetal scalp sampling
Cordocentis
Percutaneous umbilical cord sampling
Internal foetal labour monitoring (external ultrasound and foetal monitoring are okay)

If amniocentesis or chorionicvillus sampling are essential then covering the procedure with anti-HIV drugs is recommended.

Your healthcare team can explain what these tests are and why it is not recommended to have them.

September 2011

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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