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
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.
Hi Thembi
Congratulations on your new baby. If you were on treatment then this risk is very low. Tests at the hospital will show whether your baby has HIV. See this link for more information.
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/hiv-negative
Hi, I found out that I’m hiv 2 months back and I was pregnant and started taking med and I gave birth so I want to know if my baby will be fine. she is on 6 weeks nev please help with more info
Hi Palesa, the HIV meds are good for both you and you baby. Having viral load below 50 is very good and will reduce risk for everyone including your boyfriend – for example see:
http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study
Hi .. I’m hiv positive and it’s been two years now..I jst found out that I’m one month pregnant…my viral load is 50..and the last time we check my bf was negative.so I want to know what will happen to my baby and is the specific meds for pregnant women..cause I’m already on ARV?
Hi Cwithing
Hey congratulations. Have you talked to your doctor yet?
Being on treatment is good for both you and your baby IT will help you be strong and dramatically reduce the chance of your baby being positive.
Your doctor will check your viral load to make sure your treatment is still working well. Otherwise, most things will be like having a baby if you are not HIV positive.
This guide has more information.
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hi
I’m 31 years and I’m HIV positive I’m Already taking HIV treatment all most 5 years now. I’m 4 to 5 weeks pregnent what should I do coz I don’t want my child affected
Thank you
Hi Thembie
The best thing for you and your baby is to start and stay on HIV treatment.
Are you already on treatment?
This guide has more infomration:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Good lcuk with everything
Hi
I am 32 n married i just want to know coz now am 7months pregnant and am positive which save way to give birth for the save of my baby
Hi Lola
If you are HIV positive, then it means that you have HIV.
It is lucky that your partners and your daughter is HIV negative.
Are you taking HIV treatment? If yes, then this reduces the risk of passing HIV to other partners.
Please talk to your doctor about your concerns, so that you have more information about this.
I’m positive and i have a baby girl but the father is not positive.And all I l have sex with don’t have HIV please i won’t to know if that am positive or not.My baby is 5ys now and the is not positive can you help me please?