UK guidelines recommends testing during pregnancy because this is good for both you and your baby. The earlier you find out if you are positive, the earlier you can use treatment to reduce the risk of your baby becoming positive.<\/p>\n
A second test is usually given for two reasons:<\/p>\n
HIV tests do not always pick up early infection.\u00a0\u00a0Testing at least 12 weeks from the time of your last exposure will give you close to 100% accuracy. Earlier tests may miss 5% of infections.<\/p>\n
Secondly, women who are pregnant have a slightly higher risk of infection if you are not using condoms.<\/p>\n
Without knowing your circumstances or your partners HIV status, it good health practice to have a second HIV test during pregnancy.<\/p>\n
Your consultant just wants to make sure that your baby is safe.\u00a0 This is also part of the routine check up for pregnant women.<\/p>\n