Delivery
During labour and delivery, there are ways to reduce the risk of vertical transmission, including taking anti-HIV drugs and choosing the type of delivery. In many cases, natural (vaginal) delivery is safe and preferable.
“As for the C-section, I found it so strange and weird. But now that I think about it, it was just a moment of discomfort leading to a long, wonderful life with my beautiful boy.”
There are two types of delivery: 1) natural (vaginal) delivery and 2) a surgery to remove the baby from the mother called a C-section (cesarean section). If your viral load is less than 1,000 copies, a C-section is not likely to further reduce your risk of transmitting HIV to your baby. If your viral load is over 1,000 copies or you are not on anti-HIV drugs at the time of your delivery, a C-section may reduce the risk of infection. It is your choice whether to have a C-section, though sometimes C-sections are performed as emergency surgery because vaginal birth is not possible.
In women with risk factors, like a high viral load at delivery or co-infection with hepatitis C, the chance of vertical transmission can be further reduced with the following precautions: limiting the use of forceps and vacuum, no use of fetal scalp electrodes and no fetal scalp sampling. Doctors can explain these precautions in more detail.
You have been circumcised
Some women were circumcised as girls or young women. This means that the clitoris and/or the inner and outer labia have been partially or completely removed. Depending on the severity, this cutting of the genitals can cause great difficulties during intercourse, pregnancy and childbirth.
Especially for HIV positive women who have had all outer genitals removed (infibulation), a vaginal birth can increase the risk of transmitting HIV to the baby. A C-section is safer for both you and your child.
During labour and delivery, there are ways to reduce the risk of vertical transmission, including taking anti-HIV drugs and choosing the type of delivery. In many cases, natural (vaginal) delivery is safe and preferable.
“As for the C-section, I found it so strange and weird. But now that I think about it, it was just a moment of discomfort leading to a long, wonderful life with my beautiful boy.”
There are two types of delivery: 1) natural (vaginal) delivery and 2) a surgery to remove the baby from the mother called a C-section (cesarean section). If your viral load is less than 1,000 copies, a C-section is not likely to further reduce your risk of transmitting HIV to your baby. If your viral load is over 1,000 copies or you are not on anti-HIV drugs at the time of your delivery, a C-section may reduce the risk of infection. It is your choice whether to have a C-section, though sometimes C-sections are performed as emergency surgery because vaginal birth is not possible.
In women with risk factors, like a high viral load at delivery or co-infection with hepatitis C, the chance of vertical transmission can be further reduced with the following precautions: limiting the use of forceps and vacuum, no use of fetal scalp electrodes and no fetal scalp sampling. Doctors can explain these precautions in more detail.
You have been circumcised
Some women were circumcised as girls or young women. This means that the clitoris and/or the inner and outer labia have been partially or completely removed. Depending on the severity, this cutting of the genitals can cause great difficulties during intercourse, pregnancy and childbirth.
Especially for HIV positive women who have had all outer genitals removed (infibulation), a vaginal birth can increase the risk of transmitting HIV to the baby. A C-section is safer for both you and your child.
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