HIV and Pregnancy

Overview

Early detection and treatment are the key to preventing HIV infection in newborns. Experts agree that all people should be screened for HIV during pregnancy.^{footnote 1, footnote 2, footnote 3}

If you do have HIV, your baby could also become infected. The virus is usually passed on during labor and childbirth. Sometimes it's passed during pregnancy. Breastfeeding can also pass the virus to the baby.

Treatment

HIV is treated with medicines called antiretrovirals, both during pregnancy and after the birth. This treatment greatly reduces your baby's risk of HIV infection and helps keep you healthy. These medicines prevent the virus from multiplying. When the amount of HIV in the blood is lowered, the immune system has a chance to recover and grow stronger.

Treatment for HIV during and/or after pregnancy may include:

• Antiretroviral treatment for you.
• Planned cesarean birth if you have a high viral load. A cesarean birth can reduce the risk of the baby getting infected with HIV.
• Antiretroviral treatment for your baby.