Question
I’m 20 weeks pregnant and on ARVs is my baby infected?
23 November 2016. Related: All topics, Pregnancy.
i am currently 20 weeks pregnant, started my meds 3 months ago with viral load 98112 and CD4 count 263 .now my viral load is 63000 , is my child infected and is there any chance of delivering a healthy baby ? very worried
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
Being on ARVs is the best thing that you can do to prevent transmission to your baby. For more information on HIV and pregnancy, please see our pregnancy guide:
https://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hi Dumela,
Please talk to your doctor about vomiting, and then stopping, your ARVs. Disussing this with your doctor can help stop you vomiting your meds and help you back on HIV treatment.
Taking ARVs is the best way to protect your health. And it’s also the best way to protect your baby’s health.
Here’s the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.
Hi I am HIV positve and 7 weeks pregnant on ARV but at this stage I vomit a lot and have heartburn so most of the time when I take my pills I would vomit them, now I have stopped taking my pills, what are risk involved for me and the baby.
Hi Anonymous,
When someone starts medication their viral load should become undetectable within 1-3 months of starting medication. However, for some people it can take slightly longer, this is why it’s important to have it checked. There’s more about pregnancy here: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hi I m 26 weeks pregnant and I found out that I m HIV positive when I was 16 weeks and I started taking ARVs right away so I was asking will my viral load be undetectable before giving birth???
Hi Lowers,
Its very early in your pregnancy, you still have plenty of time to get your HIV under control.
Though you may have been delaying treatment, its important that you start. The treatment will help control your HIV as well as reduce the risk of transmission to your baby. There’s more about this here: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
You may also find our introduction to ART guide helpful: http://i-base.info/guides/starting
I ‘m HIV positive and I have been delaying treatment for sometime and now I’m 10 weeks pregnant …I’m worried if I have infected the baby ? I’m so stressed
Hi Puleng,
The simple answer is no, it’s not too late. Late diagnosis is defined as after 28 weeks of pregnancy but before labour starts. But, even if this had happened to you, there’s plenty that can be done to help you have a negative baby.
It’s great that you’ve started taking ARVs. And for more info, here’s the guide to HIV, pregnancy and women’s health.
I found out I was pregnant and HIV positive when I was 23 weeks pregnant and started talking ARVs immediately now was that too late for the virus infecting my baby.
Hi Victoria, Congratulations on having a baby! It’s also great that you’ve been on ARVs for many years, you are undetectable and you have a strong CD4 count. All sounds good for you and your baby. But it’s important that you ask the doctor to book you in to the antenatal clinic. Yes, you do need to keep taking your ARVs, but check with the doctor about what treatment is best during pregancy and after your baby is born. You can read more in the guide to HIV, pregnancy and women’s health.
Hi i have been on ARV’s since 2005, my CD4 count is 1050, and my viral load is undetected, i am 6 weeks pregnant, so worried about my baby being infected, whenshould i start antinantal clinic, are they giong to change my ARV’S , do i need to keep on taking my ARV’S now even thou i am pregnant. worried.