If you are worried that your or your partner may be infected by HIV and you are considering having a child (planning a pregnancy), you can get a test to make your decision easier.

An HIV infected woman may transfer the infection to her child before, during or after birth. The risk is estimated at 12% to 40%. These differences in estimated risk are especially the result of differences in breastfeeding and the phase of natural progress of infection in the mother. When one or both partners are infected, you may not decide on pregnancy at all.

An HIV infected pregnant women may decide on an abortion or on giving birth to the child. In the latter case, the risk of a newborn becoming infected can be considerably reduced by anti-retroviral treatment and avoiding breastfeeding.

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