HOW DO I PROTECT MY BABY FROM HIV?
Women who have tested positive for HIV could pass the HI virus to their babies during pregnancy, labour, delivery, or while breastfeeding. This can be stressful, especially if you only find out you are HIV positive already in your pregnancy.
HIV testing for pregnant women has a number of benefits for the mother and baby in terms of prevention and care, but must also be balanced against the possible risks of stigmatisation, discrimination and violence. In order to avoid or minimise these negative consequences, HIV testing must be voluntary and confidential, and accompanied by quality counselling.
HIV testing is commonly referred to as Voluntary Counselling and Testing or ‘'VCT'' for short. VCT will ensure access to the elements of care listed below.
If the HIV test is negative, the mother will receive:
- HIV prevention education to ensure she remains HIV negative
- information regarding standard antenatal and delivery care
- information regarding family planning.
If the HIV test is positive, the mother will receive:
- counselling immediately after receiving the result and thereafter ongoing counselling sessions
- prevention education to avoid re-infection
- counselling to decide on whether to continue with the pregnancy and referral to appropriate services
- antenatal and delivery care, taking into account HIV status
- clinical care for HIV-related illness
- counselling for various interventions to prevent Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT)
- counselling and support for infant feeding
- family planning
- appropriate care for HIV and AIDS
- ART to prevent transmission to the infant
Options for HIV-positive pregnant women
1. Taking Antiretrovirals (ART) during labour
ART medication lowers the chance of passing HIV to the baby. The mother takes the medication during pregnancy and the baby will receive ART medication after birth. ART is now recommended for use as a fixed dose combination pill. It can be taken during pregnancy and should be continued post pregnancy irrespective of
CD4 count
2. Caesarean delivery
The chances that the virus will pass from the mother to her baby during birth are similar for normal vaginal delivery and caesarean section.
3. Exclusive feeding
There are two ways to try and stop the virus from infecting your baby during breastfeeding:
o breastfeed only for six months
o feed with milk formula only
It is important to note that mix feeding creates the risk of HIV transmission to the baby and as such, mothers are cautioned against it.
Talk to a healthcare worker about your choices.
Reference
1. METROPOLITAN FOUNDATION. 2009. B the Future cellbook. South Africa
2. Wilson D, Naidoo S, Bekker LG, Cotton M, Maartens G. Handbook of HIV Medicine.
3. Meintjies G,Maartens G et al. September 2012. Guidelines for antiretroviral therapy in adults. SAJHIVMED. 13(31) 111-133.