HomeHealth TopicsWomenHIV and Pregnancy
Back to Women
HIV and Pregnancy
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Women

HIV and Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, testing for HIV is essential to protect your health and the health of your baby.

If I have HIV, can I pass it on to my baby during pregnancy?

There is a risk of passing HIV to your baby during pregnancy, childbirth (especially vaginal birth), or breastfeeding. However, having HIV does not mean you cannot have children; treatment with a combination of HIV medicines can protect your health and prevent transmission to your baby.

If I have HIV, how can I prevent giving it to my baby?

Several steps can help prevent passing HIV to your baby:

  • Taking HIV medicines: These reduce the amount of HIV in the body (viral load). The goal is to reach an "undetectable viral load," which is the best way to stay healthy and protect your baby. Most HIV medicines are safe during pregnancy and do not usually increase the risk of birth defects.
  • Cesarean delivery: If your viral load is not sufficiently reduced by medication, a C-section can help prevent transmission.
  • Giving HIV medicines to the baby: Your baby will receive HIV medicines as soon as possible after birth for 4 to 6 weeks to protect them from infection. The baby will also undergo several HIV tests over the first few months.
  • Not breastfeeding: Because HIV can be present in breast milk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend feeding your baby formula instead of breastfeeding.

What if I want to get pregnant and my partner has HIV?

If you are trying to get pregnant, your partner should also be tested for HIV. If your partner has HIV and you do not, talk to your provider about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). Taking these medicines can help protect both you and your baby from HIV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) is essential and safe for most pregnant people with HIV. These medications reduce the viral load to undetectable levels, which protects the mother's health and dramatically lowers the risk of passing the virus to the baby. Most HIV medicines do not increase the risk of birth defects. Your healthcare provider will select a regimen that is proven safe during pregnancy and will monitor your health and viral load regularly throughout the pregnancy.
If your viral load is detectable or above 1,000 copies per milliliter near delivery, your provider will likely recommend a cesarean section (C-section) to reduce the risk of transmission during vaginal birth. Additionally, you may receive intravenous zidovudine (AZT) during labor. The baby will still receive preventive HIV medication after birth, and you must not breastfeed. Close monitoring is critical in this scenario to ensure the baby is tested and treated appropriately.
In the United States and other countries where clean water and formula are readily available, the Centers for Disease Control and CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that people with HIV do not breastfeed. HIV can be present in breast milk and transmitted to the infant. Formula feeding is the safest option to prevent transmission. If you are in a region where formula is not safe or accessible, consult your healthcare provider for specific guidance, as recommendations may vary based on local public health conditions.
Your baby will undergo a series of tests to check for HIV infection. These typically include a DNA PCR test (which detects the virus itself) and an antibody test. Testing is usually performed at birth or shortly after, at 1 to 2 months, and at 4 to 6 months. If the results are negative, your baby will be considered uninfected, but they will continue to receive preventive medication for 4 to 6 weeks as a safety measure.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

kontakt@hittavard.se

Ⓒ 2024. Alla rättigheter förbehålls av juxt ab

Sök
Om ossVillkor och policyVanliga frågorKontakta oss