Question
I’m 6 months pregnant. Is it safe to delay starting treatment?
5 February 2018. Related: All topics, Pregnancy, South Africa, Starting treatment.
I am 6 months pregnant and have just tested positive. My CD4 count is 256. I have to start now.
I didn’t get much info as I thought I am doing it for my baby but I find it difficult to deal with the fact that I have developed AIDS, and have to start treatment.
My question is, will it be dangerous for me to delay taking the treatment for myself and only take the one for the baby. Since I think it was my emotional state that made my CD to be low.
I am very healthy and eat well. Please advise.
Answer
Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy.
I am sorry about your recent HIV diagnosis. I can appreciate that it cannot be easy dealing with a diagnosis during pregnancy and then knowing that you need to start taking treatment straight away. Can I ask if your doctor has put you in contact with support groups for people living with HIV? Many women find it helpful sharing experiences and coping with being HIV positive and pregnant.
Technically, a CD4 count of 256 doe not mean you have ‘AIDS’ as the US defines this as being less than 200, but it does mean starting treatment is very important.
Your doctor is giving you good advice. Starting treatment (ART) straight away is important.
The WHO (World Health Organisation) guidelines recommends all HIV positive pregnant women start ART. This is regardless of the CD4 count. These meds will be good for your health and good for your baby. The meds should get your viral load to undetectable befire your baby is born. Sometimes this takes longer than three months.
Viral load refers to the amount of virus in your body. An undetectable viral load (below 50 copies) means that there is very little virus in your body and is therefore the best way of preventing transmission to the baby.
Continuing ART afterwards is also recommended, but should be discussed with your doctor. As your CD4 count is 256, it is better to continue taking treatment after the baby is born.
The good news is that ART should increase your CD4 count. Although sometimes if you start taking treatment in pregnancy your CD4 count may not increase very much. If this happens, don’t worry, your CD4 count will catch up after the baby is born. For more information on HIV and pregnancy, please follow this link to our guide to HIV, pregnancy and women’s health. The guide also answers a lot of general questions about HIV and pregnancy.
It is good that you eat well and lead a healthy lifestyle. Avoiding stress, eating a balanced diet and taking exercise are all good for your general health and well being. However, this will not necessarily increase your CD4 count. ARVs are the only proven way of increasing and maintaining a good CD4 count.
As you are based in South Africa, you may find it useful to contact TAC (Treatment Action Campaign). They will be able to put you in contact with support groups near you. You may also find it useful to read TAC’s guide to Pregnancy in our lives.
Good luck for the rest of your pregnancy.
Note: This answer was updated in February 2018 from a question first posted online in April 2012.
Hi Nokwthemba,
If you’re asking is it OK to start taking medication even if you’re 7 months pregnant, then yes it is. In fact its very important that you do start taking medication. Please see the following guide for why its important to be on medication: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
I’m 7months pregnant and i haven’t start clinic.is it dangerous if i start it now
Hi Alitha,
Even if you’re 8 months pregnant its not too late for you to start treatment, in fact its very important that you do. You will need to have specialist care and a c-section is likely to be needed. This will help reduce the risk of transmission. There’s more in our pregnancy guide about this. Please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hi..i am 8 months pregnant n m HIV positive ….i haven’t take pills ….if i take them now will my baby still be protected by not getting it
..become negative…
Hi Kim,
Congratulations on your pregnancy. You shouldn’t feel tense and confused because your results look very good. You’ve been on ART for 3 years and your viral load is undetectable at 20. A CD4 count of 689 is strong and within the normal range for someone who is HIV negative.
You can read all about having a baby in this guide to HIV, pregnancy and women’s health.
Hi I am pregnant with 20weeks and I m on art for 3yrs regular. And recently I have done rna pcr and it is <20. M scared if my baby gets the infection. My cd4was 689. I m tensed and confused. Please help me with doubt
Hi Lisa,
Late HIV diagnosis is defined as after 28 weeks of pregnancy but before labour starts.
But if this happens to you, there is plenty that can be done to help you have a negative baby. Modern treatment reduces HIV viral load quickly and the aim is to reduce it before labour.
It’s important to talk to your doctor soon about HIV treatment and what can be done during labour and after your baby is born.
This guide to HIV, pregnancy and women’s health has lots of info about treatment for you and for your baby after birth.
Am 39 weeks and only found out am hiv positive…where to from here?
Can i have a healthy baby hiv negative…my doctor took my blood to further investigate yesterday so am not on treatment
Hi Diana,
No one can predict what’s going to happen to your baby. However, yes you should be on meds. Unless your viral load becomes undetectable then you should be offered a C-section. Are you getting specialist care? Please see here for more info re pregnancy and also being diagnosed late in pregnancy:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Kindly advice me,am 8months pregnant and HIV positive haven’t yet started taking my meds,if I start now can I have a health baby???