HIV and Pregnancy

Frequently Asked Questions Expand All

• What is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?

  Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

• How do you get HIV?

  HIV enters the bloodstream by way of body fluids, such as blood or semen. Once in the blood, the virus invades and kills CD4 cells. CD4 cells are key cells of the immune system. When these cells are destroyed, the body is less able to fight diseases and infections.

• How do you get AIDS?

  AIDS occurs when the number of CD4 cells decreases below a certain level and the person gets sick with diseases that the immune system would normally fight off. These diseases include pneumonia, certain types of cancer, and infections.

• How long does it take for HIV to develop into AIDS?

  It can take months or years for HIV infection to develop into AIDS. Unless a woman gets tested, she may never know she has HIV until she gets sick.

• Can HIV be treated?

  HIV infection can be treated, but not cured. Taking anti-HIV drugs can help people with HIV infection stay healthy for a long time and can decrease the chance of passing the virus to others. There is no vaccine to prevent HIV infection.

• If I am pregnant and have HIV, can I pass it to my baby?

  • During pregnancy, HIV can pass through the placenta and infect the fetus.

  • During labor and delivery, the baby may be exposed to the virus from a woman's blood and other fluids. When a woman goes into labor, the amniotic sac breaks (her water breaks). Once this occurs, the risk of transmitting HIV to the baby increases. Most babies who get HIV become infected around the time of delivery.

  • Breastfeeding also can transmit the virus to the baby.

• What can I do to reduce the risk of passing HIV to my baby?

  You and your obstetrician-gynecologist (ob-gyn) should discuss things you can do to reduce the risk of passing HIV to your baby. They include the following:

  • Take a combination of anti-HIV drugs during your pregnancy as prescribed.

  • Have your baby by cesarean birth if lab tests show that your level of HIV is high.

  • Take anti-HIV drugs during labor and delivery as needed.

  • Give anti-HIV drugs to your baby after birth.

  • Do not breastfeed.

  By following these guidelines, 99 percent of HIV-infected women will not pass HIV to their babies.

• Why is HIV treatment recommended during pregnancy?

  Treatment during pregnancy has two goals: 1) to protect your own health, and 2) to help prevent passing HIV to your fetus. Many combinations of drugs are used to manage HIV infection. This is called a "drug regimen." Anti-HIV drugs decrease the amount of HIV in the body.

• Are there any side effects of HIV drugs?

  Drugs used to treat HIV infection may cause side effects. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, headaches, and muscle aches. Less common side effects include anemia, liver damage, and bone problems such as osteoporosis. But not taking medication greatly increases the chances of passing the virus to your fetus.

• What is my viral load?

  Your viral load is the amount of HIV that you have in your body.

• Why is it important for my viral load and CD4 cell count to be monitored?

  Both a high viral load and a low number of CD4 cells mean there is a greater risk of passing HIV to your fetus and a greater risk of you becoming sick. But even if you have a low viral load, it is still possible to pass HIV to the fetus.

• Should I still use condoms during sex even though I am pregnant?

  If your partner also has HIV, condoms help protect you and your partner from other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Partners who are HIV-negative can talk with their doctors about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This is medication that is taken to help prevent HIV. PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV when taken as prescribed. Partners should always wear condoms to protect against HIV infection.

• Are there extra risks for me if I am HIV positive and I have a cesarean birth?

  Having a cesarean birth may carry extra risks if you are HIV positive. Women with low CD4 cell counts have weak immune systems, so they are at greater risk of infection after surgery. The incision may heal more slowly. Drugs to prevent infection are given during cesarean birth.

• After I give birth, how will I know if my baby is infected with HIV?

  Babies who are born to HIV-positive women are tested for HIV several times in the first few months. The test looks for the presence of the virus in the baby’s blood. If your baby is HIV-positive, talk with your baby’s doctor about specialized health care.

• Glossary

  Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS): A group of signs and symptoms, usually of severe infections, in a person who has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

  Amniotic Sac: Fluid-filled sac in a woman's uterus. The fetus develops in this sac.

  Anemia: Abnormally low levels of red blood cells in the bloodstream. Most cases are caused by iron deficiency (lack of iron).

  Cesarean Birth: Birth of a fetus from the uterus through an incision (cut) made in the woman's abdomen.

  Fetus: The stage of human development beyond 8 completed weeks after fertilization.

  Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): A virus that attacks certain cells of the body's immune system. If left untreated, HIV can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

  Immune System: The body's natural defense system against viruses and bacteria that cause disease.

  Obstetrician-Gynecologist (Ob-Gyn): A doctor with special training and education in women's health.

  Osteoporosis: A condition of thin bones that could allow them to break more easily.

  Placenta: An organ that provides nutrients to and takes waste away from the fetus.

  Pneumonia: An infection of the lungs.

  Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): Daily medication taken to help prevent infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Along with other preventive measures, such as using condoms, PrEP may reduce the risk of getting HIV.

  Semen: The fluid made by male sex glands that contains sperm.

  Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Infections that are spread by sexual contact. Infections include chlamydia, gonorrhea, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS]).