People with HIV may give birth to HIV-negative babies. The bulk of pregnancy-related advice for people with HIV is the same as it would be for anybody else. However, further efforts are necessary to reduce the likelihood of HIV transmission.
This article outlines considerations when expecting a child in the United Kingdom. From conception till breastfeeding, it is crucial to keep your healthcare team informed so that they can provide you individualised advice.
When an individual is on HIV treatment and their viral load is undetectable, the risk of HIV transmission to their kid is less than 0.1%. (or one in a thousand). In 2015 and 2016, just 0.3% of HIV-positive women (including those with a higher viral load) transmitted the virus to their infants in the United Kingdom.
Regarding conception, each individual will get advice tailored to their own circumstances. The counsel you get will depend on your general health, whether you are on anti-HIV medication, your viral load, and if your partner has HIV.
You will be told to begin taking anti-HIV medication if you are not currently doing so. HIV may be spread during pregnancy and delivery; an undetectable viral load will prevent this.
If you are presently taking anti-HIV medication and want to conceive, chatting with your healthcare team may help you obtain a better understanding of your current therapy and whether or not it is still the best option during pregnancy. If your current anti-HIV medication is effective in the United Kingdom, it is probable that you will be advised to continue using it.
How can we conceive if one of us is HIV negative and one is living with HIV?
When the viral load of an HIV-positive person is undetectable, there is no risk of HIV transmission during sexual activity. As long as the HIV-positive partner’s viral load is undetectable and neither of you have sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unprotected sexual contact is OK.
If you or your partner have a detectable viral load, it is imperative that you investigate conception options that reduce or eliminate the risk of transmission during sex to you/your partner and the foetus. Before deciding not to use condoms, you should talk with your HIV healthcare team so that they can determine the best effective alternative. It is feasible for the HIV-negative partner to undergo Preventive Treatment to Prevent HIV Infection (PrEP). Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduces HIV transmission and is safe throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Everyone considering pregnancy, regardless of HIV status, is advised to take a folic acid supplement daily throughout the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and while trying to conceive. Folic acid (vitamin B9) contributes to the growth of cells in the body. It is difficult to acquire enough by diet alone.
HIV treatment during pregnancy
If they have not already, all HIV-positive pregnant women should begin taking medication by week 24 of their pregnancy. This is due to the fact that an undetectable viral load prevents transmission during pregnancy, childbirth, and fertilisation.
Your birth plan
If at 36 weeks of pregnancy your viral load is undetectable, you have the same delivery choices as HIV-negative women. In the absence of further factors, vaginal delivery is a possibility for you. You will be recommended to give birth at a facility that can offer the necessary testing and care.
Your physician will likely propose a caesarean section if your viral load is high (more than one thousand copies). A caesarean section (commonly known as a C-section) entails creating an incision in the abdomen and uterus in order to deliver a baby. This stops the infant from coming into touch with blood and other delivery fluids. A caesarean section decreases the probability of HIV transmission.
A person with HIV may have a caesarean section for different medical reasons notwithstanding their viral load.
Medication for your baby
Your child will need anti-HIV treatment for an extended period of time following birth. This will be a liquid material. This does not imply that your kid is HIV-positive.
Your viral load will influence the length of time your baby must take medication. If you remain HIV-negative throughout your pregnancy, your newborn will get medication for two weeks. This may be extended to four weeks if the individual is noticeable.
In the first few years of life, many HIV tests will be conducted on your infant: soon after birth, at six weeks, 12 months, and 18 months (final HIV antibody test).
If these tests are negative and you have never breastfed, your kid will be HIV-free with certainty.
Feeding your baby
As in other high-resource nations, breastfeeding is discouraged in the United Kingdom. Formula feeding is the greatest technique to prevent HIV transmission, since there is no chance of transmission.
Although HIV is an essential consideration, it is not the only one. You may choose to breastfeed for other reasons. If you decide to breastfeed, it is crucial that your viral load is undetectable and that you maintain frequent communication with your healthcare provider. Before nursing, it is crucial to have a conversation with them about this. It is vital that you discontinue nursing if any of the following conditions arise:
- your HIV becomes detectable
- you or your baby have tummy problems
- your breasts and/or nipples show signs of infection (cracked, sore or bleeding nipples).
This will help reduce the risk of HIV transmission while breastfeeding, but the most effective way to completely remove the risk is to discontinue breastfeeding.
People also search
Can a pregnant woman with HIV have a healthy baby?
A HIV diagnosis does not prevent pregnancy. Nonetheless, you may transfer HIV to your child throughout pregnancy, labour, delivery, and breastfeeding. The good news is that there are many methods to essentially remove the risk of HIV transmission to an unborn child.
Can I have a baby if my partner is HIV-positive?
If you are an HIV-positive woman whose partner is HIV-negative. Home insemination using your partner’s sperm and a needleless syringe, timed with your ovulation, is a “low-tech” and risk-free method. If you feel uncomfortable doing this task at home, you may do it at the clinic.
Can HIV be cured at early stage?
Even though there is no cure for HIV, an early diagnosis may permit the timely initiation of antiretroviral treatment, which can avoid immune system damage caused by the virus. A patient with HIV who receives timely treatment may live a normal and prolonged life without getting late-stage HIV.
