Having a baby when you are living with HIV

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• People living with HIV can give birth without passing on HIV to their baby.

• Your options for conception will depend on your health and your partner’s HIV status.

• Your doctor will recommend you start anti-HIV treatment during your pregnancy, if you are not already taking it.

• Your viral load may affect some of your conception and birth delivery options.

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People living with HIV can give birth to HIV-negative babies. Most of the advice for people with HIV is the same as it would be for anyone else thinking about having a baby. Some extra steps are necessary though to reduce the likelihood of HIV being passed on.

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When a person is taking HIV treatment, and they have an undetectable viral load, the risk of HIV being passed on to their baby is just 0.1% (or one in a thousand). There has no been case of mother to child transmission of HIV in Georgia since last couple of years, all the babies born to HIV positive mothers are healthy. 

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When thinking about conceiving, the advice will depend on each individual’s circumstances. Advice will be based on your general health; whether you are taking anti-HIV drugs; your viral load; and whether your partner has HIV.

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If you are not already taking anti-HIV medication, you will be advised to do so. HIV can be passed on during pregnancy and birth; having an undetectable viral load will prevent this.

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If you are planning on getting pregnant and are already taking anti-HIV medication, talking to your doctor will give you a clearer understanding about your current medication and if it is still the best option during pregnancy. 

 

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How can we conceive if one of us is HIV negative and one is living with HIV?

 

When a person living with HIV has an undetectable viral load, there is no risk of HIV transmission during sex. Providing the partner living with HIV has an undetectable viral load and neither of you have any sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sex without a condom is fine.

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If you or your partner have a detectable viral load, it is important to discuss conception options that reduce or remove risk of transmission during sex to you/your partner and baby. Before deciding not to use condoms, get advice from your HIV healthcare team so that they can confirm what would work best for you. This may include the HIV-negative partner taking PrEP. PrEP reduces HIV transmission and is safe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

 

Everyone planning a pregnancy - whether or not they have HIV - is advised to take a daily folic acid supplement whilst trying to conceive and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid (vitamin B9) helps cells in the body to develop. 

 

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HIV treatment during pregnancy

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All pregnant people living with HIV are advised to start taking medication by week 24 of pregnancy, if they are not already. This is because an undetectable viral load prevents transmission during conception, pregnancy and birth.

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If you have an undetectable viral load at week 36 of pregnancy, the options for delivery are the same as anyone who does not have HIV. If there are no other considerations, then having a vaginal birth is an option for you. You will be advised to give birth in a facility that can provide the right tests and treatment for your child.

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If your viral load is high (over 1000 copies), your doctor will likely recommend a planned caesarean delivery. A caesarean section (also known as a C-section) is an operation to deliver a baby that involves making a cut in a person’s stomach and womb. This prevents contact with blood and other fluids that a baby may come into contact with during a vaginal birth. A caesarean reduces the risk of passing on HIV.

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Regardless of their viral load though, a person with HIV may have a caesarean for other medical reasons.

 

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Medication for your Baby

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Your baby will need to take anti-HIV drugs for a short period of time after birth. This will be in liquid form. This does not mean that your baby has HIV.

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The length of time your baby will need to take medication will depend on your viral load. If you are undetectable throughout pregnancy, your baby will be giving medication for two weeks. If you are detectable, this may be extended to four weeks.

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In the early years of your baby’s life, HIV tests will be done several times: just after birth; at six weeks; at 12 weeks; and at 18 months (final HIV antibody test).

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If these tests are negative and you have never breastfed, you will know for sure that your baby does not have HIV.

 

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Feeding your Baby

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It is advised not to breastfeed your baby. The best way to ensure that HIV is not transmitted is to formula feed, as there is no risk of HIV being passed on.  

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Although HIV is in an important factor to consider, it is not the only one. You may consider breastfeeding for other reasons. If you do consider breastfeeding, it is important that you have an undetectable viral load and stay in regular contact with your healthcare team. Before breastfeeding, it is important to discuss this with them. It is important that you stop breastfeeding if any of the following occur:

• 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).

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This will help to reduce HIV transmission during breastfeeding, but the most effective way to remove all risk is not to breastfeed.

From conception, to pregnancy, to delivery, to infant feeding, your journey will be unique to you. It is important that you get the best support and medical care for you and your baby. Staying in touch with your doctors and healthcare team will support you in achieving this.