HIV treatment is manageable and much improved for pregnant women. It can be scary to learn that you or your partner has HIV, but being well-informed will help you navigate this diagnosis.
This informational campaign comes to you in partnership with the Stark County Community Action Agency.
Annual HIV infections through perinatal transmission have declined by more than 95% since the early 90s [CDC source]. This is great, encouraging news, but what can you do if you’re pregnant and you have HIV?
HIV & Pregnancy
- Visit and talk with your doctor regularly.
- To keep your viral load low (the amount of HIV in your body), take your prescribed medication. This will help to protect you, your partner, and your baby.
- Give your baby the prescribed medication during the first 4-6 weeks. This can lower the transmission risk to 1% or less.
- If your viral load is not low enough, a caesarian section can help reduce the risk of transmission to your baby.
- Do not breastfeed or pre-chew your child’s food.
As a direct reflection of the healthcare system and the care patients are given, the black community has the highest percentage of perinatal HIV diagnoses. Fortunately, there has been a significant decline. Understanding how HIV is treatable and preventable in newborns is our best chance to control it.
Source
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Pregnant People | HIV by Group | HIV.” [Online.] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/pregnant-people/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fhiv%2Fgroup%2Fgender%2Fpregnantwomen%2Findex.html
Audrey Mattevi, Reporting