Building a support network

Building a support network

Many HIV positive women rely on their friends and family for support. Some look to other HIV positive women, community workers and healthcare providers for information and practical help. You can ask your family doctor or local AIDS service organization for help finding people in your area. Many of the organizations listed here can also help you build your support network.

We encourage you to seek out other sources of information about HIV and pregnancy. Treatment guidelines can change over time and it is important to discuss your options with your healthcare team.

“I have met so many women who had given birth to children after testing positive. They encouraged me to have a baby if I wanted. That was when things turned around for me.”

Your local AIDS service organization is a good place to start looking for information and emotional and practical support as you make decisions around pregnancy and HIV. The organizations listed below can help HIV positive women with their pregnancy and fertility needs. You can also contact CATIE to find out about treatments or for a referral to an organization in your area. Call toll-free 1-800-263-1638 or visit www.catie.ca. Finally, for a list of fertility clinics in your province, you can contact the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society at www.cfasonline.ca or by phoning 514-524-9009. (Not all fertility clinics provide services to people with HIV.)