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How do I know if I have HIV? The Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) recommend that women who may
become pregnant, or who are pregnant, have an HIV test
as soon as possible. If you are already pregnant, you
may request an HIV test at any time during your
pregnancy, usually at the first prenatal appointment.
The earlier, the better to reduce the chance of mother
to baby transmission.
If you test HIV-negative and have unprotected sex or
share needles, you should be tested again during the
pregnancy. You should ask to be tested again in your
third trimester as sometimes it takes time for the virus
to be present in blood tests. It is a good idea to be
tested because you could have been exposed to HIV
through unprotected sex, without knowing it and even
without your partner knowing it. If you share needles,
you may also be at higher risk of contracting HIV so a
repeat HIV test is recommended.
Will my baby have HIV if I am HIV positive? If you
discover that you are HIV positive during pregnancy,
meet with your healthcare provider to discuss
treatment options. You should begin treatment
immediately and MUST follow your recommended
treatment protocol during pregnancy, labor, delivery,
and breastfeeding (and beyond) to reduce the
possibility of passing HIV on to the baby. It is possible
to deliver a baby that is not HIV positive. The earlier you
begin antiviral treatment, the better the chances that
your baby will not be HIV positive. If you test HIV
positive, your newborn MUST take an antiviral
treatment protocol to reduce the baby's chances of
becoming infected with HIV.
Most women that are HIV positive have their babies
delivered through caesarean section (C-section).
However, some women that are HIV positive can have
vaginal deliveries if they have a low viral load (low-level
or undetectable HIV in blood).
In resource-rich countries, such as the United States,
women that are HIV positive are strongly advised to use
baby formula to feed their infants. Baby formula is the
safest feeding method for infants born to HIV positive 
mothers. However, if you do not
have access to baby formula,
sterile bottles and clean water
daily, breastfeeding may be
your only option. In this case, it
is even more important for you
to continue to take your
treatment protocol daily and
for your baby to take her
treatment protocol as well.
Even if the mother and baby are
both on antiviral medications,
there is still a chance of
passing HIV on to the infant
through breast milk.
Thanks to research, education,
and improved treatments,
many people with HIV live long,
healthy lives. As with most
illnesses, prevention, early
detection and strict adherence
to treatment protocols can
lead to favorable outcomes.
If you think you might have
been exposed to HIV or would
like to learn more about HIV and
pregnancy, contact one of our
Bay Area pregnancy clinics. Our
caring and professional nurses
and counselors at Support
Circle Pregnancy Clinics in
Oakland, San Francisco, and
Redwood City are available to
answer your questions and
address your concerns. Our
services are offered FREE and
CONFIDENTIAL so there will not
be a record of your visit on your
insurance. Call us at 1-888-
252-1822 or visit
http://www.supportcircle.org -
walk-ins welcome!
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/9565
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