When the woman is HIV-positive and the man is HIV-negative

The options are usually much simpler and cheaper in this situation. Do-it-yourself artificial insemination (self insemination) using a plastic syringe carries no risk to the man.

This is a very safe way to protect the man from HIV.

Around the time of ovulation, you need to put the sperm of your partner as high as possible into your vagina. Ovulation takes place in the middle of your cycle, about 14 days before your period.

Different clinics may recommend different methods. One way is to have protected intercourse with a spermicide-free condom. Another is for your partner to ejaculate into a container. In both cases, you then insert the sperm into your vagina with a syringe.

Your clinic can provide the container and syringe. They can also give detailed instructions on how to do this, including advice on timing the process to coincide with your ovulation.

I have lived with HIV for so long that I don’t remember what it’s like to live without it. I found it difficult to be HIV positive in the beginning. But once I learned to live with it, I decided to start living my life again.

I then realised I could do all the things that I thought HIV made impossible. I though I could not live over 25 years, or ever have a successful relationship or have children!

So last year I told my partner, who is HIV-negative, that I would love to have a child and he agreed.

We talked about how to achieve this and the possible options. We settled on the least complicated if not entirely safe option – unprotected sex during my ovulation period. In a couple of months, I conceived!

My pregnancy was relatively easy. My obstetrician strongly advised that I go for a vaginal delivery as my CD4 was very good and my viral load undetectable.

My baby was tested for HIV a day after he was born. He has now had several negative results. He is now 6 months old and growing beautifully.

My partner remains HIV negative.

Millie, Bristol