FAQs About HIV and Pregnancy

Can I get pregnant if I’ve HIV?

Sure, you may. Nevertheless it’s supreme to speak along with your HIV specialist earlier than you get pregnant. This may also help ensure you’re at your healthiest earlier than getting pregnant, permit for any treatment changes, and assist maintain you from transmitting HIV to your child.

After all, shock pregnancies can occur, so for those who discover out you’re pregnant, let your healthcare supplier know as quickly as doable.

So long as you might be on medications for HIV and your viral load stays undetectable, your probabilities of transmitting HIV to your child could be less 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 (known as superior maternal age or geriatric being pregnant) comes with sure well being dangers in comparison with individuals below age 35 no matter your HIV standing, together with:

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

Can I proceed HIV medicines whereas pregnant?

Sure, you may and, in actual fact, it’s best to. It’s necessary to take HIV medicines whereas pregnant to assist defend each your well being and the well being of your child. This could greatly reduce the chances of transmitting HIV to your baby.

Don’t skip doses and take your medicines on the similar time each day to maintain your viral load as little as doable.

Most of the medicines for HIV are thought to be safe to take whenever 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 would possibly counsel you modify up among the HIV medicines you’re presently taking for those who do change into pregnant. It’s necessary to speak to your healthcare supplier to seek out out what the professionals and cons of the doable medicines are.

What are the dangers to the infant if I’m residing with HIV?

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

HIV may also move by the placenta and infect the infant in utero. However, for those who proceed to take your HIV medicines as directed all through your being pregnant, labor and supply, and provides your child HIV medicines for 2 to 6 weeks after they’re born, your child has less than a 1% chance of getting HIV.

Research have proven that girls who’re residing with HIV are as much as two to a few instances more likely to have pregnancy complications than HIV-negative girls. These problems can occur even when the HIV-positive girls are taking antiretroviral remedy (ART). Doable 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’ll be able to select to feed your child your milk by breastfeeding, chestfeeding or pumping with a greater than 99% chance of not transmitting HIV if you’re on HIV medicines and your viral load is undetectable. The professionals and cons must be mentioned along with your key members of the family and your HIV specialist to make one of the best resolution for you and your child.

If you’re on ART, the World Health Organization steerage for breastfeeding is identical as for people who find themselves not residing with HIV.

Can I take PrEP whereas pregnant or breastfeeding?

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

PrEP is taken by individuals who don’t have HIV however are at high risk. You would possibly need to take PrEP if in case you have a companion who resides with HIV, have or have had unprotected intercourse, or share or have shared needles throughout injected drug use.

In case your companion has HIV, it’s additionally a good suggestion to check actually because the chance of transmitting the virus to your child is highest for those who 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 shall be thought of excessive danger as a result of residing with HIV can put you at an increased chance of pregnancy complications, comparable to miscarriage, stillbirth and low beginning weight. And you should have extra appointments as a result of you will want to see your HIV crew in addition to your OB crew. Your healthcare crew, together with your HIV specialists and your OB or midwife, will need to monitor you extra intently to be able to plan for a wholesome beginning and keep away from problems. They are going to test routine prenatal labs like your kidney and liver well being, iron ranges, blood sugar and likewise how properly the HIV medicines are working.

You additionally is likely to be provided certain vaccinations comparable to influenza, Tdap, RSV, Covid-19, pneumococcal and hepatitis A and B if wanted.

We’ve come a good distance, and it’s not solely doable however seemingly that your child shall be born with out HIV. Discuss along with your healthcare crew about how one can have the healthiest being pregnant doable whereas residing with HIV.