Key Points on HIV and Pregnancy:

 

• Pregnant women with HIV should take HIV medicines to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and to protect their own health.
• Women who are already taking HIV medicines when they become pregnant should continue taking the medicines during pregnancy. The HIV medicines will protect the women’s health and prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
• For women with HIV who aren’t taking HIV medicines when they become pregnant, when to start depends on several factors. Pregnant women who have a low CD4 cell count or symptoms of HIV infection should begin taking HIV medicines as early as possible in pregnancy. Pregnant women who have high CD4 counts and no symptoms of HIV infection may consider waiting until after the first trimester of pregnancy (12 weeks of pregnancy) to begin taking HIV medicines.
• Pregnant women with HIV can safely use many HIV medicines during pregnancy. However, it may be necessary to change the dose of some HIV medicines during pregnancy. Pregnant women and their health care providers carefully consider the benefits and the risks of specific HIV medicines when choosing an HIV regimen to use during pregnancy.

Source: aidsinfo