Staying healthy while pregnant

Staying healthy while pregnant

Good health is very important while you are pregnant, and there are many things you can do to help you have a healthy pregnancy. Being pregnant and having HIV needs special medical care, so it is important to try to find a good doctor. As well, there are many things you can do to have a healthy pregnancy.

“Getting support from a good doctor and a support group is important for any HIV positive pregnant woman.”

Getting good medical care is very important. Try to find an obstetrician (a doctor who specializes in pregnancy and childbirth) who is familiar with HIV care. It is best to do this before you get pregnant or soon after. Your family doctor or HIV doctor can help you. Remember that you have the right to the same level of care that is available to any woman who is pregnant or thinking about having a baby.

Research shows that pregnancy itself does not make your HIV disease worse and HIV does not change how your pregnancy proceeds. Still, doctors say that a pregnancy is high risk if there is any illness or infection, including HIV. This means that you may have more frequent visits to the doctor to monitor your health and the health of the fetus.

Treating your HIV infection and reducing the amount of virus in your blood (your viral load) during pregnancy is one of the most important ways to reduce vertical transmission. Your doctor will talk with you about taking drugs that slow down HIV. These anti-HIV drugs are called antiretrovirals, and you take a combination of them. When choosing your drugs, you should consider a combination that is tailored to your health and needs and that will reduce the risk of vertical transmission.