FAQs About HIV and Pregnancy

Can I get pregnant if I’ve HIV?

Sure, you’ll be able to. However it’s superb to speak along with your HIV specialist earlier than you get pregnant. This will help be sure you’re at your healthiest earlier than getting pregnant, enable for any treatment changes, and assist preserve you from transmitting HIV to your child.

After all, shock pregnancies can occur, so in the event you 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 possibilities of transmitting HIV to your child will be less than 1%. An undetectable viral load means the quantity of HIV virus in your blood is so low {that a} lab check 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:

• Greater charges of miscarriage
• Elevated threat for genetic situations
• Being pregnant issues, equivalent to hypertension or diabetes

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 greater dangers.

Can I proceed HIV medicines whereas pregnant?

Sure, you’ll be able to and, in truth, you must. It’s necessary to take HIV medicines whereas pregnant to assist shield each your well being and the well being of your child. This will greatly reduce the chances of transmitting HIV to your baby.

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

Lots of the medicines for HIV are thought to be safe to take if you’re pregnant. However, relying on what you are 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 medicines you’re at the moment taking in the event you do develop 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 the event you’re having a vaginal start, your healthcare supplier might offer you medicines via an IV (intravenous) line that may decrease the possibilities 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 will help lower the chance of transmission.

HIV also can move via the placenta and infect the infant in utero. However, in the event you 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 3 instances more likely to have pregnancy complications than HIV-negative girls. These issues can occur even when the HIV-positive girls are taking antiretroviral remedy (ART). Potential issues embody:

• Miscarriage or stillbirth
• Having a child who’s born with a low start 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 via breastfeeding, chestfeeding or pumping with a greater than 99% chance of not transmitting HIV in case you are 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 the very best determination for you and your child.

If you’re on ART, the World Health Organization steerage for breastfeeding is similar 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 each day tablet as a result of PrEP injections aren’t accredited in being pregnant.

PrEP is taken by individuals who don’t have HIV however are at high risk. You may wish to take PrEP when you’ve got 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 in the event you get the virus throughout being pregnant or whereas breastfeeding.

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

Sure, your being pregnant might be thought of excessive threat as a result of residing with HIV can put you at an increased chance of pregnancy complications, equivalent to miscarriage, stillbirth and low start weight. And you’ll have extra appointments as a result of you will have to see your HIV group in addition to your OB group. Your healthcare group, together with your HIV specialists and your OB or midwife, will wish to monitor you extra carefully with the intention to plan for a wholesome start and keep away from issues. They’ll examine 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 equivalent 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 probably that your child might be born with out HIV. Speak along with your healthcare group about how one can have the healthiest being pregnant doable whereas residing with HIV.