Accessing care in pregnancy

In the UK, thousands of women with HIV have given birth to healthy babies without passing on the virus. Medical help and support for HIV-positive mothers is widely available.

Researchers from City University in London recently presented the results of a study showing that many HIV-positive pregnant women come forward for antenatal care later than recommended.

The researchers looked at women who already knew they were HIV positive and women who were diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy.

Accessing antenatal care later than recommended means women have less time to work with their healthcare team on having a healthy pregnancy and birth. For women who do not know they have HIV, being diagnosed later in pregnancy gives them less time to access HIV services and to bring down their viral load.

UK guidelines recommend that all pregnant women have their first antenatal care appointment by 13 weeks of pregnancy. This study found that a quarter of women first accessed care after 17 weeks of pregnancy and 5% after week 28.

The researchers said that women of sub-Saharan African ethnicity were nearly three times more likely to access care late, whether or not they knew they had HIV.

Because treatment and care is important for the health of the mother and the health of the unborn baby, the researchers say it is important to find out why women aren't accessing antenatal care earlier and to raise awareness among women of the importance of early antenatal care.

If you are thinking about having a baby, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor, or another member of your healthcare team. They can talk to you about options for safer conception and can help you prepare for pregnancy by making sure your viral load is low and you are in good general health.

If you think you might be pregnant, talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team as soon as possible. Good care during pregnancy will help you and your baby to be healthy, as well as reducing the risk of transmission of HIV. Your healthcare team can also help you find support with any other issues you might be having, such as with housing or money.