Question
Can an HIV negative woman and her HIV positive partner conceive naturally?
16 January 2018. Related: All topics, PEP/PEPSE, Pregnancy, Sero different couples.
My boyfriend is HIV positive and I am negative. We have unprotected sex regularly and are interested in becoming pregnant the old fashioned way rather than using the sperm washing method.
– What are my chances, percentage wise, of catching HIV?
– How often should I get tested?
– How long does it take for the infection to be detectable?
– Will my baby be at risk?
– Will the baby automatically be HIV positive?
– Is this a very ignorant choice?
– Should I take the medications as well as a precaution?
– Also, is my three year old daughter who lives with us at risk? What should I do to keep her safe?
– What are safe viral load counts for him to have?
I feel very confused, but I love my boyfriend and enjoy our sex life. Please answer these questions and ease my anxiety a bit.
Answer
Thank you for your questions. I shall try and answer them one at a time.
Modern HIV meds are so effective that they also protect your partner. Spermwashing has not been needed or recommended for many years.
What are my chances, percentage wise, of contracting HIV?
An HIV negative woman and an HIV positive man can conceive naturally.
This can be done through limited conception attempts during the most fertile days of your cycle. i.e when you are as ovulating.
If your partner has an undetectable viral load on treatment (ideally for a few months), then the risk becomes zero.
The PARTNER study reported zero HIV transmissions after about 900 couples had sex than 58,000 times without a condom when the positive partner had an undetectable viral load.
For more information on HIV and natural conception, please follow this link on HIV and pregnancy and this link on the Swiss Statement.
How often should I get tested and how long does it take for the infection to be detectable?
For information on HIV testing and the window period [time between exposure and when infection can be picked by an HIV test], please follow this link
Will the baby automatically be HIV positive?
As you are HIV negative, the baby will be HIV negative.
Will my baby be at risk?
Your baby can be at risk if you become HIV positive whilst pregnant and your viral load is very high. Returning to using condoms after you become pregnant might still be a good idea, even when your partners viral load is undetectable.
A high viral load is one of the main risk factors for transmission. If viral load is detectable, there is a higher risk of catching HIV during pregnancy.
Transmission to the baby can occur at 3 stages, but only if you become HIV positive.
- During pregnancy
- At the time of delivery
- Through breast-feeding.
However, there are interventions to reduce the risk of transmission to the baby during pregnancy and birth. These include:
- Taking treatment so that viral load is undetectable by the time of delivery
- Giving the baby a course of treatment for the first 4 weeks of life.
For more information please follow this link.
Is it an ignorant choice?
This is not an ignorant choice. Many thousands of couples in your situation have children naturally. Luckily treatment now dramatically reduces the risk of transmitting HIV if this process is done carefully.
However, it is important that both you and your partner make an informed choice. It is recommended that you discuss your options with your doctor.
Should I take medication as a precaution?
Sometimes PrEP [Pre exposure Prophylaxis] and PEP [Post Exposure Prophylaxis] are used an additional precaution. This involves taking a single dose of treatment before and after having sex.
PrEP is not likely to add much or any protection, because having an undetectable viral load is enough. It might help for psychologically if you are nervous. PrEP is very effective too.
More information on PrEP is at this this link
Is my 3 year old at risk and what should I do to keep her safe?
Your 3 year old is not at risk as HIV is not transmitted from daily activity.
What are safe levels for my partner’s viral load?
The risk of transmission is so low when your partner has an undetectable viral load that is it generally thought to be close to zero.
Note: This question was updated in January 2018 and September 2016 from an original answer in September 2011.
I’m not sure about my status and I’m afraid to do the test.
Hi, It’s important for your baby’s health to know if your partner is HIV negative or positive. Many women plan with their partner to know exactly when they are most fertile, so that on other occasions they can use condoms.
You can find more information about HIV and pregnancy here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hi, I’m turning 40 in December with undectable viral load. My boyfriend does not know of my status and I’m also I am not sure of his. I want to have a baby without informing him of my status. The baby will be mine to keep but don’t want to infect him. Please help.
Please check these links about HIV and having children.
http://i-base.info/qa/faqs-on-having-a-baby
I found out recently that my boyfriend is hiv positive
and we want a baby.I’ve tested negative my concern is that can i be infected if we try to have a baby?
I will be 7 years now living with hiv 4 of those years Ive been undetectable.and I’ve been single since my diagnosis until few months ago I met someone special his negative and completely support me and has no problem with my status within a space of 8 mnths dating
He proposed and we agreed that we want to wait for marriage before we have sex .I want to tell those who recently found out or having difficulty adjusting that it’s possible to find love and be happy. never in a million years did I think I will be planning my own wedding live healthy lifestyle and explore there’s so much more to life..phikelela!!
Hi
There is no risk for your baby from missing durgs during these weeks.
The most important time to have an undetectable viral load is when the baby is born.
You have plenty of time to start treatment again and for the viral load to go down in time.
Please talk to your doctor about your worries.
I was diagnosed 2010 with HIV. I conceived 2012 with cd4 500 and undectible vital road. My baby is nagetive. Unfortunately I missed my drugs for 3 weeks and cd4 went down to 134, viral road 900 nine months ago. I had unprotected sex with my partner and and one month pregnant. Am scared to keep d pregnant cos not sure of my viral load or should abort it, to be in a safe side of infecting my baby. Pls how low can viral load be, apart from being undectatible. Advicee
Hi
You have both just been very lucky.
It is very important to use condoms through the pregnancy and afterwards.
If you have an undetectable viral load on treatment, the risk of transmission becomes very low.
im hiv positive my girlfriend is 8 months pregnant and was tested negative could that happen im confuse