Does HIV cause miscarriages?
May 18, 2008
MISCARRIAGES can be caused by many things including sexually-transmitted infections such as syphilis. It is important to get a thorough medical check-up by a gynaecologist before you conceive again because being HIV-positive does not necessarily cause abortions or infertility.
Dear Doctor,
I am HIV-positive and have been on antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) for three years. My husband, who is also HIV-positive and on ARVs, wants us to have a baby, but whenever I try, I get miscarriages. Does HIV cause miscarriages? We had two children before we got infected. Please, help.
Joan
Dear Joan,
MISCARRIAGES can be caused by many things including sexually-transmitted infections such as syphilis. It is important to get a thorough medical check-up by a gynaecologist before you conceive again because being HIV-positive does not necessarily cause abortions or infertility.
It is also important to involve your doctor to make sure your ARV combination is not contraindicated in pregnancy such as the one which contains Efavirenz. This drug is known to affect foetal development and should, therefore, be avoided during pregnancy.
Your doctor will assess and advise you on whether it is safe for you to conceive. Sometimes pregnancy might be detrimental to your health since it reduces one’s immunity.
With the advent of strategies to promote prevention of mother-to-child transmission, all people who are HIV-positive, especially women, should be comfortable to discuss their sexual and reproductive health challenges with their doctors without fear of being stigmatised.
Your CD4 count and viral load should be checked since it is not good to conceive when you have a low CD4 count or a high viral load as these make mother-to-child transmission of HIV more likely to occur.
Lastly, seek counselling with your husband so that both of you can make an informed decision. Both of you should know that it is possible for your newborn baby to turn out HIV-positive in spite of taking measures to avoid mother-to-child transmission.
Therefore, choosing not to have another baby should also be considered if you want to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
I am HIV-positive and have been on antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) for three years. My husband, who is also HIV-positive and on ARVs, wants us to have a baby, but whenever I try, I get miscarriages. Does HIV cause miscarriages? We had two children before we got infected. Please, help.
Joan
Dear Joan,
MISCARRIAGES can be caused by many things including sexually-transmitted infections such as syphilis. It is important to get a thorough medical check-up by a gynaecologist before you conceive again because being HIV-positive does not necessarily cause abortions or infertility.
It is also important to involve your doctor to make sure your ARV combination is not contraindicated in pregnancy such as the one which contains Efavirenz. This drug is known to affect foetal development and should, therefore, be avoided during pregnancy.
Your doctor will assess and advise you on whether it is safe for you to conceive. Sometimes pregnancy might be detrimental to your health since it reduces one’s immunity.
With the advent of strategies to promote prevention of mother-to-child transmission, all people who are HIV-positive, especially women, should be comfortable to discuss their sexual and reproductive health challenges with their doctors without fear of being stigmatised.
Your CD4 count and viral load should be checked since it is not good to conceive when you have a low CD4 count or a high viral load as these make mother-to-child transmission of HIV more likely to occur.
Lastly, seek counselling with your husband so that both of you can make an informed decision. Both of you should know that it is possible for your newborn baby to turn out HIV-positive in spite of taking measures to avoid mother-to-child transmission.
Therefore, choosing not to have another baby should also be considered if you want to prevent mother-to-child transmission.