HIV POSITIVE Women & Children

Pregnancy and HIV:

You Should Know ...

If you are pregnant and have HIV or AIDS, you may pass the virus to your baby. Taking AZT can lessen the chance that HIV will pass to your baby.

AZT is a medicine used to treat HIV infection. AZT is also called zidovudine or ZDV.

This Web site talks about the choice you have to take or not take AZT while you are pregnant. It also gives questions to ask your doctor, nurse, or other health care provider. Then you can make up your own mind about what is best for you and your baby.



Babies And HIV Infection

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV causes AIDS. As yet, there is no cure for either HIV or AIDS. Some babies who have HIV become very sick and die in their first year. Others live longer but may still get sick.

A baby can get HIV from an HIV-infected mother in three ways:

  1. During pregnancy.
  2. During delivery.
  3. After delivery through breast feeding.

The chances are about one in four that HIV will pass from a mother to her baby before or during birth. This is only an average. No one can tell you for sure what your baby's chances are.

After delivery, your health care provider will ask for your consent to test your baby for HIV. Many babies can be diagnosed as either HIV-infected or not infected by 6 months of age. In some cases, it takes up to 18 months to know for sure if a baby has HIV.



Take Good Care Of Yourself

You can improve your chances of having a healthy baby. Here are some steps you can take while you are pregnant that will help both you and your baby.

  • Get prenatal care early in your pregnancy.
  • Get tested for HIV.
  • Practice safer sex.
  • Exercise regularly if your health care provider says it's okay.
  • Eat healthy meals.
  • Get enough rest.
  • Do not use alcohol or other drugs not prescribed by your doctor.
  • Do not smoke.
  • Tell your health care provider about any medicine you are already taking.
  • Check with your health care provider before taking any new medicine.


If You Know That You Have HIV Infection, You Should:

  • Tell your health care provider that you have HIV.
  • Talk with your doctor or nurse about the risks and benefits for you and your baby if you take AZT.

Go to the AZT/Right Choice Menu

Go to the Pregnancy & HIV Menu

Go to the Women & Children Menu

Go to the HIVpositive.us Main Menu













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