The HIV drug, Zidovudine is given intravenously during
labour the woman does not have a low amount of HIV in the blood near the time
of delivery, regardless of how the woman delivers. In these cases, Zidovudine
helps to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Women who are taking combination
HIV medication should continue
labour the woman does not have a low amount of HIV in the blood near the time
of delivery, regardless of how the woman delivers. In these cases, Zidovudine
helps to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Women who are taking combination
HIV medication should continue
them on schedule during labour or before a
caesarean section. This helps to provide maximal protection to the mother and
the infant and to minimize the risk that the mother could develop drug
resistance due to missed dose of medication.
Delivery Method
The safest way for women with HIV to deliver a baby
(i.e. by vaginal or caesarean delivery) depends upon her HIV viral load during
pregnancy. In general, a vaginal delivery is preferred for the safety of both
mother and infant if the risk of transmission of HIV is low (when the HIV viral
load is low). For women with high level of viral load in their blood or who are
very concerned about infant exposure to infected blood or virginal fluids, a
caesarean section is recommended.
(i.e. by vaginal or caesarean delivery) depends upon her HIV viral load during
pregnancy. In general, a vaginal delivery is preferred for the safety of both
mother and infant if the risk of transmission of HIV is low (when the HIV viral
load is low). For women with high level of viral load in their blood or who are
very concerned about infant exposure to infected blood or virginal fluids, a
caesarean section is recommended.
Undetectable Viral Load
Pregnant women with HIV who have been taking HIV
medication throughout pregnancy and have an undetectable HIV viral load at 34
to 36 weeks of pregnancy may choose to have a vaginal delivery. In this
situation, the risk of transmitting HIV to the infant during a vaginal delivery
is very low and it is not clear that a caesarean delivery will decrease this
risk any further.
medication throughout pregnancy and have an undetectable HIV viral load at 34
to 36 weeks of pregnancy may choose to have a vaginal delivery. In this
situation, the risk of transmitting HIV to the infant during a vaginal delivery
is very low and it is not clear that a caesarean delivery will decrease this
risk any further.
When the viral load is greater than or equal to 1000
copies/ml, pregnant women with HIV who have taken HIV medications throughout
pregnancy are usually advised to have a caesarean delivery rather than a
vaginal delivery and in this situation, the caesarean is usually scheduled at
38 weeks of pregnancy.
copies/ml, pregnant women with HIV who have taken HIV medications throughout
pregnancy are usually advised to have a caesarean delivery rather than a
vaginal delivery and in this situation, the caesarean is usually scheduled at
38 weeks of pregnancy.
If viral load is less than 1000 copies/ml, women with
a HIV viral load between 0 and 1000 copies/ml who have been taking HIV
medication during pregnancy may choose between a vaginal or caesarean delivery;
though it has not been confirmed that caesarean delivery decreases the already
small risk of passing HIV to the infant.
a HIV viral load between 0 and 1000 copies/ml who have been taking HIV
medication during pregnancy may choose between a vaginal or caesarean delivery;
though it has not been confirmed that caesarean delivery decreases the already
small risk of passing HIV to the infant.
