Question
Do I continue ARVs after my pregnancy?
22 August 2011. Related: All topics, Pregnancy, Starting treatment.
Hi guys. I am hiv + and 37 weeks pregnant. I am so scared as I don’t know what to expect. I am currently taking aspen lamzid (AZT/3TC) and Aluvia (lopinavir/r), will I be required to continue with the medication after my baby is born?
My cd4 is 480 and I only started taking medication after I found out that I was pregnant.
The med was giving me diarhea in the beginning, will this affect my baby or will the med do the same to my infant? Please help as am worried.
Answer
Hi
Great news about your pregnancy – and great that you were diagnosed in time to start treatment. The ARVs will dramaticially reduce the risk of your baby catching HIV.
All treatment is individualised. Whether ot not you continue treatment after the pregnancy will depend on many things.
This includes your CD4 count when you started treatment, how you feel about continuing treatment, and sometimes on the guidelines for the country where you live.
Diarrhoea is a common side effects of the Aluvia and other meds but will not affect the health of your baby.
Good luck for the rest of your pregnancy. See also this guide about HIV, women’s health and pregnancy.
Hi Angel,
Happy New Year to you too.
This is wonderful news. Keep up the good work.
Lisa
Complements of the new year to all.
I trust you are all well Lisa and Simon. I said I will up date you with my status and how Atripla is treating me. I did bloods last week, CD4 count, viral load, as well as kidney test and am proud to tell you my results are my viral loads is less than 20, my CD4 count is 715, and kidney is good.
Im so happy and would love any feed back from you.
Angel
Hi Mary,
It sounds like you’re having a difficult time. Is there anyone you can talk to for support?
Its not for me to say if you should or shouldn’t keep your baby. However, it sounds like you’re suffering from morning sickness. Morning sicknes is very common in the early stages of pregnancy. It should get better after your 12th week. If you talk to your doctor they should be able to help.
With regards to being on meds, these will not affect your baby. For more info please see our HIV and pregnancy guide:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
I’m 5 week pregnant am HIV+. I’m already on ARVs. The thing is I keep being sick, whatever I eat I vomit. I’m thinking of getting rid of this child because I’m am not comfortable. Its not good taking drugs an not eating.
Hi Angel, thanks, we reply to all posts – either as comments or emails – although this sometimes takes a few days. Great you are doing well :)
Hi Simon & Lisa
I am not sure if you guys are getting my post just wanted to let you know im really grateful for your support and. Sunday marks a month on the new meds and with all your advise all seems to be going well. Take care.Hope you get this.
Hi Angel – thanks – all sounds good :)
Hi Lisa & Simon
Thanks Lisa and all is well. Simon im not sure what happened there but im all good.Sunday the 19th Nov marks a month on the new meds and all seems to be good.Thanks so much for the support and hope we have a long lasting healthy relationship.D: will keep you posted guys Chow chow.
Hi Angel,
Great to hear that you are feeling much better. Do please keep us posted.
Hi Angel, thanks, I see most posts but not all – unless you address them to me personally. Great that changing how you take the meds has made a difference :)