Getting pregnant

Getting pregnant

Many HIV positive women have no trouble getting pregnant. However, there is some research that shows that HIV disease, anti-HIV drugs or co-infection with other sexually transmitted infections may make it harder for HIV positive women to become pregnant. If you are having trouble getting pregnant, ask your doctor for a referral to a fertility clinic. There are guidelines to assist in the pregnancy planning and fertility needs of people with HIV.

“I ruled out intrauterine insemination because of the cost, but it is an option.”

An HIV positive woman can pass on HIV to her male partner(s) while trying to get pregnant. To avoid this, one option is alternative insemination. This can be done at home or may require medical assistance, such as from a fertility clinic. At home, sperm is placed into the vagina with a syringe or eye dropper. Some women have their partner provide sperm; others use the services of a sperm bank. Medically assisted insemination places the sperm directly into the uterus (intrauterine insemination) and can increase the chance of getting pregnant. This medical procedure is more expensive and is not available in every province and territory. (If you’re thinking about using a fertility clinic, be sure to get information about all the services you will need and their costs.)

If you and your partner(s) are both HIV positive, it’s a good idea to discuss with your doctor the risk of re-infection (doctors often call it superinfection). Re-infection occurs when you become infected with your partner’s virus, or the other way round. Your doctor may recommend a procedure called sperm washing. Sperm washing separates the sperm from the semen. (It is the semen that carries most of the HIV.) The sperm is then used to inseminate the woman. Sperm washing is also an option for HIV positive men who have HIV negative female partners. Sperm washing is done at a fertility clinic and is not available in every province and territory.