Are pregnant women automatically offered HIV testing?

In the UK, clinics must offer and recommend that all pregnant women have an HIV test (as well as for hepatitis B and syphilis).

This is part of routine antenatal care (this means “before birth”, occasionally called “prenatal” and is the care you receive before and during your pregnancy).

An HIV test in pregnancy is important. It means that women are able to look after their own health, whether or not the result is positive.

If you test positive, you can protect your own health and your baby’s.