Question
I started treatment at 6 months of pregnancy, will my baby be positive?
4 October 2016. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Pregnancy, South Africa, Starting treatment.
I am 8 months pregnant but found out that I am HIV positive at 6 months and started my medication from there. My CD4 count is 261. Is it possible that my baby can be born HIV positive?
Answer
Hi,
Thanks for your question. Congratulations on your pregnancy.
It is good you have started treatment, it will protect your health and your baby’s health.
Even at 28 weeks (a late diagnosis) some women who start treatment immediately and get an undetectable viral load by the time of delivery can have normal birth and a negative baby.
As you started treatment at 24 weeks you a very good chance of not transmitting HIV to your baby. Without treatment, there is about a 1 in 3 chance (30%). With treatment and an undetectable viral load, the risk drops to about 1 in 100 (1%).
Please see our guide on pregnancy for more information.
Hi Angela,
Its great to hear that you’re wanting to restart meds, this is important not only for your health but for that of your babies. Please see here: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
As you’ve been off meds for a while the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor. If its possible they should test your CD4 count as well as your viral load. They may also do some resistance tests.
Hi I stopped taking meds on April now am four months pregnant and I want to start taking meds again,will my baby be safe?
Hi Lissa,
Its really not possible to say if your child will be born positive or not. To reduce the risk you need to be on medication. Hopefully by the time you give birth your viral load will be controlled. Even if it isn’t as the above post explains, there are options. Please also see the following:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
I’m 24 weeks found out I’m HIV positive and started meds straight away… What are the chances of not transmitting HIV to my baby I’m worried… I wouldn’t forgive myself if I gave birth to him or her HIV positive.
Hi Lulu,
Its not possible for anyone to say at this stage if your baby is going to be OK or not. However, you being on medication is very important. Its the medication that will reduce the risk of transmission to your baby. For more info please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
I have tested HIV positive an I found out dat am 6 months pregnant an I have started my medicine is my baby safe
Hi Gracious,
Is your doctor, or health care worker aware that you stopped taking your meds? When you stopped taking your meds, do you know what your viral load was? How many weeks has it been since you stopped meds? If your viral load was detectable you might need to have a c-section, this will need to be discussed with your doctor.
Yes, you can restart your meds, and its important that you do so. Its the ARVs that will help prevent the risk of transmission to your baby.
Being on ARVs won’t cause your baby any harm, they help babies.
For more info about HIV and pregnancy, please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
I stated taking arvs when i was 3months pregnant and I stopped when I was 7months pregnant now I’m 37weeks can I start again, will it affect my baby?
Hi Mapule,
Because you’re pregnant its very important that you restart meds. This is because the meds will help reduce the risk of transmission. They will also allow you to control your HIV. Therefore, you should go and see your doctor.
I used to me on meds, then I stopped for 2 years. I’m now pregnant. Is it OK for me to restart?