FAQs About HIV and Being pregnant

Can I get pregnant if I’ve HIV?

Sure, you possibly can. But it surely’s excellent to speak together with your HIV specialist earlier than you get pregnant. This may help ensure you’re at your healthiest earlier than getting pregnant, permit for any remedy changes, and assist preserve you from transmitting HIV to your child.

In fact, shock pregnancies can occur, so in the event you discover out you’re pregnant, let your healthcare supplier know as quickly as potential.

So long as you might be on drugs for HIV and your viral load stays undetectable, your possibilities of transmitting HIV to your child may be lower than 1%. An undetectable viral load means the quantity of HIV virus in your blood is so low {that a} lab take a look at can’t choose up the virus.

Being pregnant at age 35 or older (referred to as superior maternal age or geriatric being pregnant) comes with sure well being dangers in comparison with individuals beneath age 35 no matter your HIV standing, together with:

The analysis is restricted on those that reside with HIV and are pregnant over age 35, however it’s potential that there could also be greater dangers.

Can I proceed HIV drugs whereas pregnant?

Sure, you possibly can and, in truth, it’s best to. It’s essential to take HIV drugs whereas pregnant to assist shield each your well being and the well being of your child. This could significantly cut back the possibilities of transmitting HIV to your child.

Don’t skip doses and take your drugs on the similar time daily to maintain your viral load as little as potential.

Lots of the drugs for HIV are considered secure to take while you’re pregnant. However, relying on what you’re taking and the way far alongside you might be in your being pregnant, your healthcare supplier may counsel you modify up a number of the HIV drugs you’re at present taking in the event you do turn out to be pregnant. It’s essential to speak to your healthcare supplier to search out out what the professionals and cons of the potential drugs are.

What are the dangers to the newborn if I’m dwelling with HIV?

Most infants who get HIV, get the virus throughout supply. Should you’re having a vaginal beginning, your healthcare supplier could offer you drugs by an IV (intravenous) line that may decrease the possibilities of transmitting the virus to your child. In case your viral load is excessive, you might need a cesarean part and get IV remedy. This may help lower the chance of transmission.

HIV can even go by the placenta and infect the newborn in utero. However, in the event you proceed to take your HIV drugs as directed all through your being pregnant, labor and supply, and provides your child HIV drugs for 2 to 6 weeks after they’re born, your child has lower than a 1% probability of getting HIV.

Research have proven that ladies who’re dwelling with HIV are as much as two to 3 instances extra more likely to have being pregnant problems than HIV-negative ladies. These problems can occur even when the HIV-positive ladies are taking antiretroviral remedy (ART). Potential problems embrace:

• Miscarriage or stillbirth
• Having a child who’s born with a low beginning weight
• Preterm, or very early, supply

Can I breastfeed if I’ve HIV?

You may select to feed your child your milk by breastfeeding, chestfeeding or pumping with a larger than 99% probability of not transmitting HIV in case you are on HIV drugs and your viral load is undetectable. The professionals and cons needs to be mentioned together with your key members of the family and your HIV specialist to make the very best resolution for you and your child.

In case you are on ART, the World Well being Group steering for breastfeeding is similar as for people who find themselves not dwelling with HIV.

Can I take PrEP whereas pregnant or breastfeeding?

It’s secure to take PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding to stop HIV transmission. PrEP is most secure when taken as a day by day tablet as a result of PrEP injections aren’t accepted in being pregnant.

PrEP is taken by individuals who don’t have HIV however are at excessive danger. You may wish to take PrEP when you’ve got a accomplice who resides with HIV, have or have had unprotected intercourse, or share or have shared needles throughout injected drug use.

In case your accomplice has HIV, it’s additionally a good suggestion to check actually because the chance of transmitting the virus to your child is highest in the event you get the virus throughout being pregnant or whereas breastfeeding.

Will I be thought of a high-risk being pregnant and wish extra physician appointments?

Sure, your being pregnant will probably be thought of excessive danger as a result of dwelling with HIV can put you at an elevated probability of being pregnant problems, resembling miscarriage, stillbirth and low beginning weight. And you’ll have extra appointments as a result of you will want to see your HIV staff in addition to your OB staff. Your healthcare staff, together with your HIV specialists and your OB or midwife, will wish to monitor you extra intently to be able to plan for a wholesome beginning and keep away from problems. They’ll examine routine prenatal labs like your kidney and liver well being, iron ranges, blood sugar and in addition how nicely the HIV drugs are working.

You additionally is perhaps supplied sure vaccinations resembling influenza, Tdap, RSV, Covid-19, pneumococcal and hepatitis A and B if wanted.

We’ve come a great distance, and it’s not solely potential however doubtless that your child will probably be born with out HIV. Speak together with your healthcare staff about how one can have the healthiest being pregnant potential whereas dwelling with HIV.