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 John,
If your wife is on HIV drugs and she’s undetectable the risk of transmission is zero. You can read more about U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable here.
Good afternoon Last year My result come out negative. At the first time did doctor did not tell me that my wife she hiv positive until but this year in the same hospital another test again come out negative ever since than my mind is not at rest last 2 weeks here I make sex with a girl and the condom boxs in the girl body .the reason why I am saying it now I did not have to put any body in torouble and my mind is telling that the doctor is not telling me the true .please can I doctor tell some lie that same last week’s I need another test .and the result is coming out tomorrow can I still be free that is what I want you people to tell me of which my wife is on drugs
Hi Junior,
Is your girlfirend taking HIV meds? If she is – and her viral load is undetectable – there is zero risk to you. You can read more about it here.
Hey I’m junior my girlfriend she is hiv positive but I’m not I did test 2 times im hiv negative and i want the baby whit her what should I do to protect me
Dear Queen Elma, The good news is that if your boyfriend’s viral load test is undetectable that can protect you, and your baby from HIV. Here’s the i-Base guide to HIV pregancy and women’s health.
I am negative but my boyfriend is positive and we have been having unprotected sex BC he wants a bby what should I do but he is on treatment am so confuse should I live him
Hi Ashley,
I’m sorry your boyfriend is feeling low. But the good news is that if he’s on HIV meds they can reduce HIV to just tiny amounts in blood tests. This is being undetectable. And it can protect you from HIV when you’re ready to have kids. So the risk to you is close to zero.
You can read more about HIV pregnancy and women’s health in this guide.
My boyfriend have hiv and its very low he found out right away when get he was feeling different and I want to know if we can have kids I don’t have it but I’m worried about getting it
Hi Mukwalu, There is good news for you, your wife and many other couples in this situation. Please see this page from the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.
We tested twice and my wife is positive but am very worried about my life b’se we need another kid yet am negative.