Pregnancy and HIV: Risks, Cautions, and Solutions

HIV is a serious threat to all members of society, especially those who have frequent unsafe sex. This virus can spread through unprotected sex, using contaminated needles, and from an affected mother to her baby. It’s interesting to know that pregnant women and newborns are among the most vulnerable groups. Each year, more than 700,000 babies are born carrying HIV. This number is shocking, so the important questions are, “Is there a way to prevent this? Can women living with HIV have a safe pregnancy?”

In this article by Raadina Health, we have answered these questions and explained how to take care of the baby before and after giving birth.

Can HIV-Positive Women Have a Healthy Pregnancy?

The first question is whether women carrying HIV can have a safe pregnancy like other women or not. The answer depends on several factors, such as their overall health, the amount of virus in their blood, and their mental and emotional state. In general, if the virus is controlled (with medications) and their overall health is good, they can have a safe and successful pregnancy, just like anyone else.

 Symptoms of HIV During Pregnancy

Unfortunately, some pregnant women don’t know they are infected with HIV until they see unusual symptoms. Sometimes, pregnancy can worsen the HIV symptoms and jeopardize the mother's and baby’s health. Here are a few signs they may notice:

• Recurrent fever and night sweats
• Extreme fatigue and weakness
• Unexplained weight loss
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarms, or groin
• Frequent oral, vaginal, and skin yeast infections
• Extra sensitive skin and rashes
• Digestive problems like diarrhea or vomiting

Risks for Women with HIV & Their Babies

If HIV is not controlled during pregnancy, it can put both the mother’s and the baby’s health at risk. Here are a few examples:

• HIV reduces the number of CD4 immune cells (normal range is 500 to 1500 cells/mm3 of blood). This means the immune system gets weak and the body is more prone to illness.
• Women living with HIV are more likely to develop viral, fungal, and bacterial infections.
• The risk of bleeding, miscarriage, or preterm birth is higher in HIV-positive women.
• The virus can affect the fetus’s development and lead to premature birth.

How to Prevent HIV Transmission from Mother to Baby?

One of the biggest concerns for HIV-positive women is the risk of passing the virus to their baby. If they don’t get the necessary treatments and checkups, the chance of transmitting the virus would be around 35% to 40%. Thanks to medical advances, there are different ways to reduce this risk to about 1%. Women with HIV should consult with a specialist and get the right treatments before becoming pregnant.

Here are 5 tips that reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission.

Checking viral load and taking antiviral drugs

The first thing that your doctor measures is the amount of virus in your blood (AKA the viral load). After that, they prescribe antiviral drugs to control the virus growth and prepare your body for pregnancy. If you take these medicines exactly as prescribed, the level of virus gets so low that it is no longer detectable in the blood. This process usually takes about three months.

When the viral load reaches the minimum level, you can try conceiving. It is important to know that some antiviral drugs must be taken even during pregnancy, but the doctor may adjust their doses.

Note: Medications should never be stopped, reduced, or changed without the doctor’s advice.

Taking different tests

HIV-positive women should be monitored before and during pregnancy. They should take regular blood tests and have multiple checkups and ultrasounds. The viral load should be measured throughout the pregnancy to make sure both the mother and the baby are healthy.

Choosing the right delivery method

The type of delivery depends on the mother’s viral load and her overall health. In many cases, if the amount of virus in the blood is high, the doctor recommends a C-section to reduce the risk of passing the virus to the baby.

Monitoring the newborn

The doctors give the babies antiviral drugs right after birth to prevent infection. They also order several tests to detect HIV in its early stages. These tests are done a week, two months, and four to six months after birth. If the results are negative, the chance that the baby has HIV is almost zero. Some doctors also recommend repeating the test when the child is about two years old.

The Last Notes

Women living with HIV can have a safe and healthy pregnancy just like other women; however, they probably need more care and planning. Taking antiviral drugs before and during pregnancy, taking regular tests to monitor the viral load, and monitoring the baby after birth are all necessary. If HIV-positive women follow the doctor’s advice carefully, the risk of passing HIV to the baby can be reduced to about 1%.

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FAQs

1) Is HIV always passed from mother to baby?

No. If the mother doesn’t take antiviral medications, the risk of passing the virus can be around 40%. But if she sees the doctor frequently and follows her treatment, the risk is less than 1%.

2) Do antiviral medicines have side effects?

Yes, some women may experience nausea, headaches, tiredness, anemia, or develop liver-related diseases.

3) Are antiviral medicines harmful to the baby during pregnancy?

Modern antiviral medicines are very safe and don’t harm the baby.

4) Can women with HIV breastfeed their babies?

Generally speaking, no ! Since HIV can be passed through breast milk, it is better to feed the baby with formula instead of breastfeeding.