Question
Pregnant and newly diagnosed, do I need to take ARVs?
4 January 2015. Related: All topics, Newly diagnosed, Pregnancy, South Africa.
Hi,
I am pregnant and I just found out that I have HIV. My CD4 is 754.
Should I take ARVs?
What will happen when if I stop the meds after delivering my baby?
If I terminate this pregnancy will I be at risk?
Answer
I’m very sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis.
Finding out you are HIV positive is never easy but finding out while pregnant can be especially hard.
However, it is much better that you found this out now so that you can use ART.
It might also help to know that many women have been through this before. You are not on your own – there are services and care available to help you.
You asked several questions so I will go through each of these one at a time.
Your asked whether you need to take ARVs?
In 2016, most treatment guidelines recommend HIV treatment (ART) for anyone who is HIV positive. This includes during pregnancy.
ART is recommended both for your own health and to prevent transmitting HIV to your baby.
In the UK most pregnant HIV positive women will take three HIV drugs. The choice of drugs will depend on your health and other foctors.
It is generally recommended to continue ART after birth. However, guidelines vary in different countries. Your doctor should be able to tell you what the guidelines are where you live.
You asked what will happen if you stop the meds after delivering your baby.
Your baby should continue to receive treatment for four weeks after birth. If you are breastfeeding you will need to continue to take ART.
Because your CD4 count is so high, if you need to stop treatment at the end of this time, this is also okay. This was the practice for many years.
Guidelines generally now recommend staying on ART though.
You also asked whether you would be at risk if you terminate this pregnancy?
For this I would first ask whether there is a reason why you are considering an abortion, also known as TOP (termination of pregnancy).
Is it because you are worried that the baby may be born positive? If that is the main reason why, then it might be useful for you to know that with access to ART, plus care and support, most women living with HIV have healthy babies that are HIV negative.
It may be, however, that you already have the information above and this is a decision you have chosen to go ahead with for other reasons.
In this case, an abortion should not carry any more risks than it would for an HIV negative woman. This is dependent on the abortion being carried out using the right procedures, in a hospital and with the right treatment and care.
This answer was updated in January 2016 from a question posted on 11 May 2012.
Hi Nkamyani,
Your baby testing negative on their first test is good. However, it’s too early to say if they are going to be negative or not.
Is there any reason why you didn’t have a c-section? I’m asking as it’s very unlikely that your viral load would have been undetectable when you gave birth. When someone has a detectable viral load it’s common practice for a mother to have a c-section.
Are you formula feeding or breastfeeding? If your viral load is detectable then you should be using formula. There’s more about this here: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hi I only drink my medicine for 10days ARVS n then I gave birth will my baby be infected I gave birth Virginial n they have done pcr came back negative I don’t know my viral load please assist
Hi Tintswalo,
Have you started medication yet? If you haven’t this is the first thing that you’ll need to do.
It is possible to still have a negative child when diagnosed late in pregnancy, you will however need specialist care. Please see the following guide: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hi
i m 8 months pregnat and just found out that im hiv positive.will my baby stil be ok.
Hi Pabalio, the most important thing during pregnancy will be to get your viral load to undetectable before the baby is born. This usually happens within 3-6 months depending on how high your viral load is now. If it helps to have a few weeks to get ready for HIV treatment, this should be fine if your doctor supports this. For example, if you had only found out in the fourth month this would still be okay. Modern meds are usually very easy to take and the sooner your viral load is undetectable, the better for both you and your baby.
I am three months pregnant, and just found out I am HIV positive, I am not ready to take ARV,what are the chances that my baby will be born negative if I start medication in my fourth month?
Hi Lesego,
Being diagnosed with HIV can be a shock, more so if you’re pregnant. This is because not only do you have to think about yourself, but also your baby. Feeling disconnected from your baby can also happen. This is because its a lot to take in. Is there anyone that you can talk to for support? a close friend, family or even other women who HIV positive?
Though this may be a difficult time, you’re doing the right thing by being on ARV’s. The ARV’s will help you control your HIV and should get your viral load down to undetectable before you have the baby. This is important. For more about HIV and pregnancy, please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
With regards to your question, you having a running tummy won’t cause your baby to lose weight. It may however, stop you from gaining weight. Having a running tummy is something that can be treated and in most cases easily. Therefore, you should talk to your doctor about this.
If you need anything else, please do get back in touch.
I have just been shockingly diagnosed with HIV 5months into my pregnancy. I am on ARV’s sometimes have running tummy. I don’t feel that pregnant anymore. I’m only reminded when my baby kicks/jumps and when l have to bend down.
I am worried about the running tummy.Can that cause the baby to lose weight?
Hi Paballo, everyone misses meds occasionally – pls see this link:
https://i-base.info/qa/11570
This will not have affected your baby. The only concern from unprotected sex might come from other STIs.
Hi I’m HIV+ pregnant woman and I misd my meds for two days ,will my baby be infected? Again if I’m taking my treatment and have unprotected sex what will happen with my baby?