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 Selloane,
When you say that you tested negative last week, what test are you referring too? Also, how long have you been taking HIV medication for?
With regards to the pregnancy, what’s important is that you’re on HIV treatment, so ARVs. It’s the ARVs that will reduce the risk of transmission to your baby. Please see here for more info: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
I selloane im on treatment of hiv nd my health is good i tested last week nd its said negative.so now i just found out that im pregnant nd its 6weeks so my question is how do i treat myself nd my baby nd wen can i start to see a doctor cos im still waiting for my membership card for medical
Hi Noxy,
First, congratulations on the news that you’re going to have a baby.
But even if you are diagnosed late in pregnancy, there’s plenty that can be done to help you have a negative baby. If you are already on HIV treatment (ART) then that’s great.
Everyone who is HIV postive is recommended to take ART. It’s the best way to protect your health and also your baby’s health.
Please talk to your doctor about the treatment you need during your pregnancy. You can also find out about what should happen after your baby is born. And that includes the best way to feed your baby too.
Please see the guide to HIV, pregnancy and women’s health.
Hi I’m HIV + just found out that I’m pregnant and not sure how long I am, worried that I might infect my unborn baby. Please help.
Hi Abelang,
Even when a woman is diagnosed late in pregnancy its still very possible for them to give birth to a negative child. Treatment is key to this as the following explains: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
I found out I’m diagnosed with the virus in my 26th week of pregnancy is it possible for my unborn baby to not get infected since I’ve been taking treatment evr since I found out?
Hi Lizzy,
Herbs can’t help a persons HIV, the only thing that can do this is ARVs. When you say negative blood tests what do you mean? Are you referring to a viral load test or an ELISA HIV test?
If you are positive, due to your pregnancy you’re going to need to use ARVs. If you don’t you risk infecting your child with HIV. Also if your partner isn’t positive and you are, they are going to need to test. This is because sexual partners are only protected from transmission if their partners viral load is undetectable, or they use PrEP.
Hie… I’m also + my first child I took arvs.. Eventually I stopped when she was about 4 yrs old n been on a clean diet and recommended herbs.. I’m still on herbs n 6 months pregnant again should I be worried I have taken blood tests they are coming out negetive… Thanks
Hi Anonymous,
This sounds like a very complex situation and one where you need the help from professionals. Though i-base advocates can give you some advice we aren’t trained counselors.
With regards to your ex partner, if you’re positive then its very possible that he is. If he choose not to test, that is up to him. But in my personal opinion he needs to knows, he needs to know for the sake of his own health and those of other women who he has sex with.
Hi ladies on the 21st/02 I found out i was +after last year I gave birth to a still born on the 20/09.now I feel so hopeless and helpless I feel like God has forsaken me I struggle with accepting my status though i meet up a psychologist I still find it very emotional and draining and the father of my late daughter was cheating on me before and while I was pregnant but I couldn’t leave him because I loved him now when I was 6/7 months pregnant I think he left me and kept accusing me that the child is not his. I don’t hate him instead I wanna meet up with him and tell him about my status but I am scared because I know he will blame it on me..and he will refuse to go and test. Please advice me should I tell him or not?