Question
I started ARVs at 34 weeks of pregnancy
10 December 2012. Related: All topics, Pregnancy.
Hello.
I’m pregnant and recently found I’m HIV positive. I started treatment and 32 weeks of pregnancy.
I’m at 36 weeks now. Did I start too late, is my baby already infected?
Answer
Hello,
Thank-you for your email.
I’m sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Finding out you have HIV is never easy, but finding out when your pregnant can be especially hard. Do you have any support?
Although you started treatment quite late in pregnancy this doesn’t mean it won’t work. Treatment with ARVs can reduce your viral load very quickly. This means that there is much less HIV in your body after the first few days or weeks of taking the meds. So you still have a very good chance that your baby will be HIV negative.
Our pregnancy FAQs page and our guide to HIV and pregnancy which has lots more information about HIV and pregnancy. Please do get in touch if you have any questions and best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy!
Dear Boitumelo = thank you for writing and sharing what you are going through. This must be a very axious time, but modern HIV meds are VERY good. You are doing amazingly well and doing everything that you can for your baby. The meds will be good for both you and your baby and are the best way to look after both of you. Every time you tak your meds you will be protecting your baby.
I was 30 weeks when I find out I’m pregnant and hiv positive. I started treatment immediately I don’t miss even a dose. But I’m scared is my baby safe or am i late? I’m not breastfeed all my 3 kids. This one she is my 4th child also i will not breastfeed. Is she going to be safe? I’m concerned and scared at the same time cause at the clinic they say its risky like they don’t educate us enough about hiv. Please tell me my unborn child will be healthy and fit.