HIV Support Group

One of our HIV members just had a baby hopefully she jumps in and here is the deal:

1) The rates of mother-to-child transmission fell dramatically from 5 percent (1997 to 1998) to 1 percent (2001 to 2003) after the introduction of HAART therapy
2) The presence of an HIV viral load of >1000 copies/mL is associated with a 12-fold increased risk of perinatal transmission.

Because of this here are the recommendations surrounding the actual delivery:
1) The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) issued an opinion that elective cesarean delivery should be discussed and recommended for all HIV-infected pregnant women with viral loads above 1000 copies/mL
2) If the decision is made to perform an elective cesarean delivery ACOG recommends it be done at 38 weeks gestation (due to the potential risk for labor and membrane rupture before the woman would reach 39 weeks gestation)
3) Medications: Intrapartum Zidovadine (ZDV) prophylaxis should be provided regardless of the mode of delivery
4) The available data indicates that ZDV provides an additional protective effect in women undergoing elective operative delivery.

Dr O.

Thanks for your reply!

So the chances are low, if the delvery is cesarean and the woman is on HAART therapy?

Yes thats how I would sum it up.
Dr O.

Thanks! I can always count on you for a useful answer :)

I just had a baby a month ago, and we used the recommendations mentioned. The baby is negative. :-) So, yes there is ALWAYS hope!

Hope is what gets me through the day.

hank you to everyone who messaged me about this, too. It means a lot :)

we had a little guy 1 year ago,and he is negative(but totally, positivly a handfull),so i wouldnt worry.My wife went on meds when she was pregnant,and he was given them every 12 hours for 6 weeks.He was also delivered by cesarian(spelling??),and was concieved by accident.We had a condom break,and baboom.Go for it.You have nothing to worry about.He/she will be fine.

What about sperm-washing? This was the option that my partner and I were discussing as she is negative and I am positive. Is this not an option?

Tobias I haven't read all the replies but I wanted to tell you. I am an HIV- female and have been having an ongoing relationship with a young man who is HIV+. One day i will have his baby...i hope...I will do everything in my power to acheive this...someday whether she is positive or negative some woman will want to have your baby...=)and i was going to post this question after I was done with my own research...Thank you for multitasking for me ;) Good luck Tobias

Dr Orange, is there anyway for a woman to get pregnant and not catch hiv from her partner?