Question
I am an HIV positive man, can I have a baby?
4 January 2016. Related: All topics, Pregnancy.
I am very much interested to know if someone with a CD4 count of above 500 and an undetectable viral load can make a woman pregnant without infecting her with the virus?
Or does it mean once you have HIV your chance of having your own child is a dead end?
Or is there any other way to have your own child without infecting either the woman or the child?
Answer
Being HIV positive should not stop you having a baby. Many sero-different couples (where one partner is positive and the other is negative), have had healthy HIV negative babies.
Your second question was whether it is possible to have an HIV negative baby without passing HIV onto your your girlfriend or baby. The answer is yes. However, this will depend on a number of factors.
Firstly, you would have to on antiretroviral treatment (ART) with an undetectable viral load. Are you taking treatment?
Secondly, both of you should be checked for STIs (Sexually Transmitted infections). This is good practice whenever two people are planning a pregnancy. STIs can sometimes increase the risk of passing on HIV to your negative partner.
Thirdly, the chance of conceiving is highest when your girlfriend is ovulating. Ovulation takes place in the middle of the woman’s monthly cycle. This is about 14 days before her period.
This link the the pregancny guide to is about how sero-different couples can conceive naturally. The guide also lists other conception options.
You may also find it useful to read the Swiss Statement. This describes the transmission risk for someone who is on stable HIV treatment as ‘negligible’ and ‘similar to risks of daily life’. It is difficult to put a percentage risk on this.
When you and your girlfriend decide you are ready to have a baby, you should speak to your doctor who will be to advise and assist you accordingly.
Good luck with your plans.
This answer was updated in January 2016 from a question posted on 26 March 2012.
Hi Joy,
There’s no reason why people who are positive can’t have sex. And this includes a man who’s been positive for 11 years. If you’re undetectable and other STI’s, and or pregnancy aren’t an issue then you can even have sex without using a condom. If however, your viral load is detectable then you should use condoms.
can a man wit HIV be active in sex after 11years of living wit it?
Hi Sam, yes, it is easy for you both start a family. You don’t need to be on the same meds. Please see question 6 at this link for more information:
https://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
I’m on a different arv treatment and my wife is in a different treatment can we make a baby, that will be free of HIV?
This is not a safe way to try for a baby. If you make a hole in a condom this will stop it from working and you could be at risk of infecting your partner with HIV.
i think you can by using a condon, bt you should first make a tiny hole at the front tip if the condom. but before you can do any thing please consult your doctor on every precaution.
Hi Jaycee,
Are you on treatment with ARVs? Do you know if you have an undetectable viral load?
Now. I am. Ready to get make baby and my partner is Negative,should I go on to have intercourse with her during her ovulation period and every thing will be ok??
Thanks.
This is answered in the question above. Please follow the links in the answer for more information.
Can a male with hiv have a baby with a female who is hiv negative