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 Liny,
How are you coping with your diagnoses? Are you able to get any support?
Being diagnosed late in pregnancy can and does happen. Its great though to hear that you’ve started meds. Its the meds that will help reduce the risk of transmission to your baby. For more about HIV and pregnancy please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
With regards to breastfeeding, the World Health Organisation recommendations are, if you are on ARVs then you can breastfeed. The following link explains more about this:
http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/246260/1/9789241549707-eng.pdf?ua=1
Its important though that you take your medication as prescribed.
Hi, I’m 36 weeks pregnant and just been diagnosed with HIV. I’ve started treatment. I’m afraid to breastfeed my baby.
Hi Sibonglie,
Its great to hear that you’ve been on treatment since you were pregnant and that you’ve been on treatment since. Its being on treatment that helps reduce the risk of transmission.
Because you’re daughter is now a year old, you could stop breast feeding her and give her cows milk. That is if that’s possible.
With regards to testing. Its good that she tested negative when she had her first test. However, she will need to have another test to be 100% sure that she’s negative. More info on HIV testing and babies can be found here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/hiv-negative
Hi I’m 24 and HIV positive. I have a baby who is one. I’ve been breastfeeding her since she was born. I’ve been taking the treatment since I was pregnant. She was tested after 3 days she was born and she tested negative. I’m scared she needs to be tested again, would she be positive?
Hi Siphokazi,
How long have you been on meds for? What are you taking?
I’m not sure what alsace is, could you please explain?
Hi I am HIV positive,and I am taking ARVs,my problem is: every time I take the pill I experience burn in my stomach, BT earlier I have been diagnosed of Alsace. my fear is when this will continue like that,and is this not going to affect my health?
Hi thandi,
Is there anyone that you can talk to for support? A friend, relative, or support group?
In response to your question, its important that you take ARVs. Not only will the meds help your health, they will also reduce the risk of transmission to your baby. Starting meds can be hard, but its the best thing to do. For more info on meds and pregnancy please see:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/do-all-hiv-positive-women-need-to-use-art-during-pregnancy
and
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
hi I’m 25 pregnant and jus found out that I’m HIV positive. I’m so stressed don’t know wat to do. just want to know if its nesecary for me to take the arvs now will it harm the baby if I don’t take the treatment pliz advise me on wat to do
Hi Pearl,
Are you HIV positive? Is your new partner positive?
I’m 21 years old. Me and my baby daddy are not so good, so I have a new partner. When I told him to use a condom, he refused. I want to know if it healthy for the baby inside me to have sex without a condom.