It is possible for HIV to pass from a woman to her baby during pregnancy, labour or birth. It can also be passed on through breastfeeding.
However, the chances of passing on the infection to your baby can be reduced almost to zero by:
taking anti-HIV medication during pregnancy and around the time of birth
providing a short course of anti-HIV medication to your baby in the period immediately after birth.
It is important to discuss your HIV infection with your obstetrician as it will affect the decisions that you make about labour and delivery. Bottle feeding rather than breastfeeding can also help to prevent the virus from passing from mother to child.
If you are living with HIV and you are thinking about having a baby, talk to your doctor about how to reduce the risk of passing on the infection to your baby or your partner.
All pregnant women in the UK are tested for HIV as part of their routine antenatal appointments. If you are diagnosed with HIV during your pregnancy, you will be referred for treatment at an early stage. Your doctor will discuss options for delivering your baby and advise you about whether your baby will need any treatment after it has been born.