HIV care in pregnancy should include screening for:

• Hepatitis
• Syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections
• Anaemia
• TB

Sexually transmitted diseases and vaginal infections can increase HIV transmission.

Screening for toxoplasmosis and CMV may also be necessary. These are two common infections that can be transmitted to a baby. The tests should be performed as early as possible in pregnancy, and treated if necessary.

A clinic should provide a gynaecological check up. This will include a cervical smear. This is particularly important if a woman’s CD4 count is below 200 cells/mm³.

Tests to be avoided by HIV-positive pregnant women

HIV-positive pregnant women are advised to avoid these tests unless they are essential:

• Amniocentesis
• Chorionic villus sampling
• Fetal scalp sampling
• Cordocentis
• Percutaneous umbilical cord sampling
• Internal fetal labour monitoring (external ultrasound and fetal monitoring are perfectly okay).