Question
Missed dose during pregnancy, will my child be OK?
22 July 2017. Related: All topics, Pregnancy.
If you miss a dose while you are pregnant, what will happen to the unborn child?
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
Its common for people to miss a dose or two, and this includes women who are pregnant. Though not ideal to miss any doses, this won’t effect your health, nor your HIV. It also won’t increase the risk of your baby being born positive.
It is important though that you don’t miss doses often. For more info please see Q4 here:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Because you’re pregnant, you may also find our pregnancy guide helpful:
https://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hello Blessy and thank you for getting in touch.
Congratulations on your pregnancy. You must be very excited about the time ahead with your newborn.
Please do not worry about HIV. Being diagnosed on week 34 gives you just enough time to get undetectable.
Your doctor and midwife can propose the best way to deliver the baby based on your viral load and other realities of your pregnancy.
They will advise if natural delivery or a C-section is the appropriate way forward.
Also, they will start the baby on medication and you might not be able to breastfeed, although if you become undetectable this might be an option too.
The important thing is that now you know your status you can take medication and ensure you will be healthy for years to come and that is the best thing you can do for your baby.
Please also take a look at the link for more information:
https://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
I take my treatment late like 34 weeks now and I about to deliver in 37 weeks and 4 days hope I take enough so it cannot affect the unborn baby
Hello Sylvenus and thanks for getting in touch.
It’s important for your wife to be on medications during her pregnancy but the most important time is before delivery.
If she manages to take medication and deliver with undetectable viral load that immediately ensures the best possible outcome for the baby.
If your wife is having problems such as vomiting that makes taking ARVs difficult please speak to the midwife as they can provide some medication to help with that.
Please don’t worry. Many women find themselves in this position, without this ever affecting the baby.
Just tell your midwife and doctor how the situation is and they can help you make the best possible decisions.
Please my wife missed her doses for 3 weeks now and she is 6 months already.
Please is it going to affect her pregnancy.
Hello Tashi and thanks for getting in touch.
Congratulations on the pregnancy – you must be very happy.
Do you mean you missed one dose while being 4 months pregnant? That’s ok, please don’t worry.
It will not affect your baby.
Do you mean you have not been on drugs for the first 4 months of your pregnancy?
That’s also ok, don’t worry.
The goal is to get you undetectable as soon as possible, especially before delivery.
You have months ahead of you.
Everything will be alright.
I missed my dose for 4 month of pregnancy…I’m worried it will harmful for my baby?
Hi Nosipho, have you been able to restart your treatment? and how far along in your pregnancy are you? Even missing 2 weeks, if you are able to restart this will really help keep baby safe. Baby will also have their own medication after birth and this is explained more here: https://i-base.info/qa/19891
I missed 2 weeks of pills due to shortage and I’m pregnant, how can I protect my baby
Hi Tasha, congratulations on your pregnancy. You do not need to worry. Missing one dose of treatment is not going to risk your treatment not working. You can continue taking your treatment as normal.
I missed my dose for 1 day iam pregnant what should i do to protect my unborn child please help me