Testing for HIV during pregnancy

You should be tested for hepatitis B, syphilis, group B streptococcus, Chlamydia trachomatis, gonorrhea and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in every pregnancy. All these infections can hurt your baby if he or she gets the infection. If you are tested and find out you have any of these infections, treatment can usually prevent your baby from becoming infected and sick from these infections.

You should also be tested for rubella (German measles) if you do not know if you are immune. Knowing if you are not immune can help you avoid getting rubella while pregnant. If you are not immune, you can get the rubella vaccine after your baby is born so that you will not get rubella in the future. In some provinces, pregnant women are tested for chickenpox for the same reason.

Depending on your medical history, tests may also be done for other infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) or parvovirus.

You could have caught any of these infections years ago and not know it. Most people who have these infections don't know that they have them since they don't have symptoms. These tests are offered to you for your own health and the health of your baby.

You can choose to not have the tests done. However this decision could hurt your baby.

If you have HIV and are not treated, there is a 1 in 4 risk that your baby will have HIV. If you are treated, the risk drops to about 1 in 100. Most babies born to HIV-positive mothers will NOT get HIV if mothers are treated during pregnancy and delivery, and if babies are treated in the first few weeks after birth. Treatment will also improve your health.

It is done with a regular blood test.

There are many reasons to do blood tests during your pregnancy. Ask your doctor or midwife if you are not sure if a test for HIV was done. Even if you had an HIV test done before pregnancy and it was negative, you should have the test done again during each pregnancy.

The decision to take the test and then wait for the results can be very stressful. If your test result is HIV-positive, you will have many decisions to make.

Even though it is stressful, you need this information to decide what is best for you and your family. Be reassured that there is support available if you find out you are HIV-positive during your pregnancy.

HIV is passed from one person to another:

through sexual intercourse (although it’s much less likely if a condom is used properly),

through blood (for example, by sharing needles or syringes), and/or

Most women with HIV have been infected through sexual intercourse. Many did not know their partner was HIV-positive.

If you use drugs or get a new sexual partner while you are pregnant, or do not totally trust your partner, you should be tested for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B at the beginning and near the end of each pregnancy. No one will think badly of you if you ask to be tested again. They will know you are trying to do the best thing for your baby.

You and your partner may both want to be tested for HIV. If one of you is positive, there are still ways for you to get pregnant without spreading the HIV.

Call your doctor or local public health unit (or CLSC in the province of Quebec).

Positive Living Society of British Columbia Vancouver, British Columbia 604-893-2200 or1-800-994-2437

Oak Tree Clinic Vancouver, British Columbia 604-875-2212

		HIV clinic for women and children

Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) Toronto, Ontario 416-203-7122 or 1-800-263-1638

		Provides up-to-date information, including a toll-free telephone line with confidential counselling and access to resources

St. Michael’s Hospital, the Positive Care Program Toronto, Ontario 416-864-5696

The Hospital for Sick Children’s HIV Clinic Toronto, Ontario 416-813-5141

The Teresa Group Toronto, Ontario 416-596-7703

		Provides innovative programs, practical assistance and emotional support to children and their families

Canadian AIDS Society Ottawa, Ontario 1-800-499-1986

		Provides a list of AIDS service organizations across Canada

Sainte-Justine’s HIV Clinic Montreal, Quebec 514-345-4836

Provincial hotlines and major AIDS organizations

British Columbia AIDS Information Line

Saskatchewan AIDS Information Line

Manitoba AIDS Information Line

Newfoundland and Labrador AIDS Committee Hotline

Northwest Territories AIDS Information Line

• This is not an exhaustive list of available resources.

Information for pregnant women living with HIV

Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee