You can have an HIV negative baby

You can have an HIV negative baby

When HIV passes to a fetus or baby from an HIV positive mother, this is called vertical transmission. When HIV passes between sexual partners or people who share needles, this is called horizontal transmission.

In the time before effective treatment for HIV, about one in four babies born to HIV positive mothers was also HIV positive. However, we now know a lot about how to prevent vertical transmission, and with proper care the risk of your child becoming infected with HIV can be less than 2 percent. Experts have written treatment guidelines that outline the best practices to reduce the risk of vertical transmission. These guidelines recommend:

• anti-HIV drugs for the mother during pregnancy and during labour
• delivery by C-section (cesarean section), when appropriate
• a short course of anti-HIV drugs for the baby after birth
• no breast-feeding

Guidelines are a starting point. You and your doctor should fully discuss all decisions about your treatment, pregnancy and delivery.