HIV and pregnancy

HIV and pregnancy

Mothers and babies

In the UK, the risk of HIV being transmitted from an HIV-infected woman to her baby before or during birth is about one in seven. In parts of the world where the standard of living and healthcare is not so high as here, the risk is greater.

HIV can also be passed to a baby during breastfeeding if the mother has HIV. In the UK, 423 babies born to women with HIV have had HIV themselves.

HIV and donated sperm

Just as a woman can be infected during sexual intercourse with a man who has HIV, she can also become infected through donated sperm if the donor has HIV.

Men who donate sperm to clinics are tested for HIV and their donations are guaranteed free from HIV.