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.
Hi Michelle, It’s great that you’re thinking of having a baby. Many women around the world who are HIV positive and on HIV treatment have had healthy HIV negative babies. If your boyfriend is on HIV treatment (ART) and he has undetectable viral load, this can protect you, and your baby, from HIV. Here is the i-Base guide to HIV, pregnancy and women’s health.
Hi, I’m hiv negative and my boyfriend is hiv positive is possible for me to fall pregnant. What should I do to fall pregnant without me getting infected and my baby
Hello Hope, Alluvia is sometimes called Kaletra. It is a treatment for HIV. Is your partner taking HIV treatment? If so, it can dramatically reduce the chances of HIV transmission. You can ask the doctor about treatment for you to protect your baby from HIV. But if your partner’s viral load test is undetectable, the risk to you is close to zero.
Hi I’ve recently found out that my partner is hiv positive and I tested negative,I’m now taking aluvia but after 2 weeks I’ve discovered that I’m pregnant.so what are my possibilities of me being hiv positive?or will I still remain negative
Hi Dexter, It’s great that your wife is HIV negative. That means HIV could not have been transmitted to your child. But it’s important to ask the doctor to look at your daughter and check on these symptoms.
I m HIV positive and on ART, my recent viral load was 23 copies, my wife was both HIV negative during pregnancy and a month after delivery and up to now she is still negative.but our child who is now 11 months sweats profusely and this started since she was born,at first we though it normal but this has started worrying us us expecially that me the father I m hiv, please advise, can our baby be HIV positive?
Hi Madala,
If your partner is on medication and has an undetectable viral load, there is no risk. Please see here:
http://i-base.info/htb/32308
If their viral load is detectable, then yes there is a risk.This is why its important to take sexual health seriously.
Hi I also had sex with my HIV positive partner and I am still negative but it is risky to have sex with a positive partner.so people lets not risk our lives.
Hi Sam, Are you taking HIV treatment (ART)? This can help your baby be born healthy and HIV negative. Women around the world have taken HIV drugs safely in pregnancy now for over 20 years. Now this usually involves taking at least three drugs and is called ART. You can read more about having a baby here.
Hi I am a pregnant woman I recently find out that am HIV positive. My scared that my baby could get effected by HIV.