Q and A

Question

How can I get pregnant when I am HIV positive?

Can you please give me information on the right procedure in getting pregnant when you are HIV positive?

Answer

Thank you for your question.

There are different options as regards getting pregnant when you are HIV positive.

The options take into consideration whether your partner is also HIV positive or whether they are HIV negative.

As you have not indicated this in your email, I am sending you our general guide on HIV, pregnancy and women’s health. The guide includes detailed information on the various options available. Please follow this link to this guide to HIV and pregnancy for more information.

Best wishes

269 comments

  1. Simon Collins

    Hi Jinsa

    The earlier you start HIV meds, the quicker your viral load with come down. This is the main way your baby will be protected.

    Does your clinic provide viral load tests?

    This guide has lots of information that might help.
    http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy

    In the UK this would include an integrase inhibitor because it is faster at reducing viral load. Whatever combination you get will help though.

  2. Jinsa

    I came to knew dat I was positive during my 8month of pregnancy, nd my husband is negative. Will my baby get infected.

  3. Simon Collins

    Hi Macca

    This study shows that the risk to your partner is so low that you can stop using condoms if you want to try for a baby.
    https://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study

    Sometimes it takes time to becomes pregnant though and 6 months is still very short. Please talk to your doctor about your plans so you can get information about when in the month it is best to conceive. Also to check you and your partners general health.

  4. Macca

    Morning
    I am HIV positive woman on treatment with undetected viral load with a CD4 count of 400 engaged to a HIV negative partner who loves me so much we have been trying for a period of 6 month to have a baby but even now I have not yet conceived. What seems is the problem because most of the time we don’t use condoms for me to conceive.

    Worried and Frustrated

  5. Simon Collins

    Hi Thandi, there is no need to use IUI just because of HIV – or are you using IUI because of fertility issues?

    Most couples just conceive naturally once the positive partner is on HIV treatment.
    https://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study

  6. thandi

    i am positive and my partner is negative ,i started take the treatment last year
    i have been consultation the gynaecologist several times since last year, we try iui twice in November and this year on may it didn’t work

  7. Roy Trevelion

    Many HIV positive women and men have reported that they don’t feel like sex anymore. But it’s not generally reported as a side effect of HIV meds.

    It’s likely that sexual health problems like this affect a lot of HIV positive people because of complex social factors. It takes many people a long time after they are diagnosed to regain sexual confidence.

    Talking about how you feel to a support worker can help. You can ask your doctor or clinic if they provide this support or if they could put you in touch with a support organisation that does.

  8. Ottilia

    I’m HIV positive and ever since I started medication my feelings are numb don’t feel like sex anymore and I need a baby desperately but can’t get pregnant what should I do? Please help

  9. Roy Trevelion

    If you are taking HIV meds and have an undetectable viral load, you can become pregnant by having sex – and your partner will not catch HIV.

    You can ask at the clinic about looking after your own health and staying undetectable during pregnancy.

    You can find out more about HIV, women’s health and pregnancy here:
    http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy

  10. Vuyolwelwethu

    Am HIV positive my partner is negative I want to have a child so what can I do?

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