AIDS & Women

In the medical community, the topic of AIDS & women who are expecting is an extremely popular one. Many facts have been established surrounding pregnancy in women who have either HIV or are in the last stages of the virus, AIDS.

Those that become pregnant do not experience any higher levels of sickness as a result of the virus itself. Studies indicate quite the opposite as a matter fact. When evaluated women were observed during their pregnancy, it is often noted that their health is optimized. There are many treatments that may be indulged in so that the HIV infection does not transmit to the unborn child.

Many medical professionals that address the topic of AIDS & women who are expecting prefer to avoid issuing treatment in the first trimester of the pregnancy. One reason for this is that most birth defects originate during the first trimester.

The second reason is that HIV and AIDS prescription drugs have been associated with babies being born in a premature manner. It also seems as if birth weight is affected in a detrimental way if a woman takes HIV and AIDS medications during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Once the first trimester has passed, the expectant mother may start to take prescriptions that are identified as "Antiretroviral". While most mothers are able to use these medications to prevent passing HIV to her child, there are a small percentage of cases that resulted in transmission.

The success rate averages in around 42% of all cases. In many cases, the presence of the virus or the "Viral Load" is well over 1,000 in an expectant mother. If this is the case, exposure to the birth canal should be limited to reduce the possibility that the virus will be passed from mother to child.

Last, but not least, those that have studied AIDS & women who are expecting have discovered that birth through the means of a cesarean section drastically reduces the possibility of the virus being transmitted to the child by the mother.