Question

I am HIV positive and pregnant, what are the risks?

7 January 2018. Related: All topics, Pregnancy.

I am 32, married and have two children. I am HIV positive and so is my husband. I recently discovered I am pregnant but my husband is furious with me, and has advised me to go for an abortion. I am now debating on what to do as I do not want to go through a pregnancy without the support of my husband. What are the risks in pregnancy when HIV positive?

Answer

Answer: Charlotte Walker

Thank you for your question.

Congratulations on the pregnancy and I am sorry if this is causing problems with your husband.

Is he upset because he is worried about the child becoming positive? Or because he is worried about your health? Or something else?

Also, are you already taking HIV treatment (ART)? this is because ART is good for both you and your baby’s health.

Many HIV positive women all over the world give birth to healthy negative children using ART. There is no medical reason stopping you from having this baby if you decide you want to continue with the pregnancy.

Also, for your health, HIV positive women are not usually at any further risk of pregnancy-related complications than negative women. As far as the HIV is concerned, most women have a small drop in their CD4 count of about 50, but this goes up again once the baby is born. For more information on this please follow this link.

For general information about HIV, Pregnancy and Women’s Health please  see this i-Base guide.

Good luck!

Note: this answer was updated in January 2018 from a question first posted in January 2011.

189 comments

  1. Anonymous •

    I have been HIV positive for about 10 years now. My CD4 count and viral load are looking good. How do i tell my boyfriend that i’m positive plus I’ve just found out that i am pregnant. Don’t know as yet how far; i was once pregnant and we both agreed to go for termination. But now i want to go and terminate without telling him.

    I was even thinking of making it sound like I’ve just found out recently about my status.

    For how long is things going to remain like this; i also want to have a family one day.

  2. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Mamello,

    Due to you being on medication and having an undetectable viral load the risk of transmission is minimal. However its not possible for me nor anyone else to say if your baby will be negative or not. Please see here:

    http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy

  3. Mamello •

    Hi
    I am hiv+ and have just found out am 4months pregnant last time i went to the clinic my viral load was undetectable and I’ve been taking my usual ARVs…is my baby at any risk that he/she might be already infected??

  4. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Freddy,
    If you had an undetectable viral load, and this was stable for a few months, then you could not transmit HIV to your partner. But if you’re concerned about your son is it possible to contact your partner about this?

  5. Freddy •

    I’m hiv positive man who happened to have fathered a son and he’s 3 years now, anything(s) to be concerned about in moving forward? Undetectable viral load yes…I’m just concerned, please..Help a brother out please?

  6. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Freddy,
    Could you clarify your question please?

  7. Freddy •

    I’m hiv positive man who happened to have fathered a son and he’s 3 years now, anything(s) to be concerned about in moving forward?

  8. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Aseza,
    It’s great to hear you’re going to have a baby. Being on HIV treatment (ART) can protect your health and your baby’s health. But the clinic need to know that you are pregnant so that you are sure to be taking the best meds for your baby’s health. It’s a good idea to start going to the antenatal clinic soon. You can ask at the clinic for support while thinking about telling your boyfriend you are HIV positive.

  9. Aseza •

    I have just discovered that am pregnant am Giving positive and am on treatment but my boyfriend doesn’t know thatam HIV positive ,

    Is my baby safe ? Is there other treatment I can get on clinic now that am pregnant? Or will continue using my treatment

    Are there are chances of my baby being infected if I don’t start going clinic soon?

    How do I tell my boyfriend that am HIV Positive

  10. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Margie,

    As the post explains its not possible to say if a child will be negative, this is why testing is important as well as medication. The changes are reduced however when a mother is on medication and their viral load is undetectable. There’s more about this here:

    http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy

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