Pregnant with HIV, should you give birth by caesarean section?

If a mother is diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy, there are a number of things that must be considered so that the entire pregnancy until the delivery process continues. Well, one of the things that worries expectant mothers and fathers the most is the delivery process later. Do you think HIV positive pregnant women should give birth by caesarean section or can give birth normally? Check out the complete review about the delivery of pregnant women with HIV below.

Get to know HIV / AIDS in pregnant women

Human immunodeficiency virus or HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. This disease can affect anyone, including pregnant women.

Well, babies conceived by HIV positive mothers can also be infected. Whether during pregnancy, childbirth, or while breastfeeding. Because of that, doctors usually will provide special antiviral treatment with different types.

These drugs should always be consumed regularly, including some time before delivery and during labor itself. This is because during delivery, the baby is very susceptible to contracting the virus from the mother.

Should pregnant women who are HIV positive give a normal or cesarean delivery?

Some say, pregnant women who are HIV positive should give birth by caesarean section only because it is safer. In fact, pregnant women with HIV / AIDS still have the opportunity to give birth normally, namely through the vagina.

If pregnant women want to give birth normally, there are conditions that must be met first. The requirements include:

Have been taking antiviral medication since 14 weeks of gestation or less.
Condition viral load less than 10,000 copies / ml. Viral load itself, namely the number of virus particles in 1 ml or 1 cc of blood. The higher the number of virus particles in the blood, the higher your risk of transmitting the virus and experiencing complications of HIV.

When giving birth normally, the mother gives birth with viral load those who are high will usually be given an infusion containing the drug zidovudine. However, your birth plan can still change depending on the condition of the mother and baby's body.

You should also discuss this option with your obstetrician, midwife, and family. The reason is, most doctors will advise birthing mothers to undergo a cesarean delivery if the numbers viral load- it is above 4,000 copies / ml.

According to various studies, birth by caesarean section can indeed reduce the risk of transmitting HIV / AIDS from mother to baby during delivery. Especially if viral load mothers before delivery are considered high.

Based on data obtained from American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist , cesarean section is recommended to be performed before 39 weeks of pregnancy. Meanwhile, pregnant women with HIV, it is recommended to do a caesarean section at 38 weeks of pregnancy.

In addition, in caesarean section antibiotics can also be given to prevent postpartum infections in mothers with HIV. This is because women who are HIV positive have weakened immunity, making them more susceptible to infection. This antibiotic can be given before surgery and afterwards.