A healthy pregnancy is possible that people with HIV

When I was diagnosed HIV-positive, I never thought that I have lived so long. I was infected by my husband, who died seven years ago. I...

When I was diagnosed HIV-positive, I never thought that I have lived so long. I was infected by my husband, who died seven years ago.

I've never had free drugs or sex, but my husband was a user, heroin injected inserted under the skin. In 2009, the two of you were were diagnosed with HIV, and my husband died soon after due to delayed treatment.

At the beginning I was pessimistic, thought it would be impossible for me to remarry. I did not even know he was to survive and live. Things changed when I found a support group.

My motivation and the will to live slowly recovered. I joined a national network of women living with HIV, the network of positive women Indonesia (IPPI) live. In the group I learned about sex education, health, reproduction, gender, human rights and as women living with HIV like me, have the same rights as all other Indonesian women, including the right to healthy spouses and children.

In 2012, I met a man from the HIV / AIDS -. Community Two years later we got married and decided to Jakarta to Bandung. Since the beginning of our relationship we have constantly sought to deepen our understanding of HIV and the preparation of the pregnancy. All in order to prevent transmission of HIV to my HIV-negative partner and our future son.

Our dream has come true; I am pregnant in 2016th

As women with HIV have a healthy pregnancy? These are some of the things I do to make sure that I have a healthy child, free of HIV.

Antiretroviral (ARV)

I am on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment for seven years. ART drugs act the growth of HIV in the blood to suppress, to prevent the virus from the immune attack. This medication should be taken every day exactly one hour. In addition to the restoration of health, ARV is planning crucial for people with HIV who become pregnant.

ARV is through the government program for HIV / AIDS and free because of a government grant in some hospitals and health centers (Puskesmas) the municipality appointed available. You should consult your doctor before taking ART.

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Condoms and their role

Condoms are very important to me and the sex life of my husband. My husband is free of HIV, and are determined to keep it that way. To avoid the transmission through sexual contact, condoms should be used every time. Only during the fertile days to have doctors allowed unprotected sex to get pregnant.

Routine laboratory tests

When planning a pregnancy, complete blood test should be done every three months. Also I need to make a routine immunity (CD4) counts every six months. Finally, there is also a plasma HIV RNA or HIV check to count the amount of virus in the blood. If your blood test is good, the doctor gives planning permission to start pregnancy.

No less important is the annual review of HIV to my husband. In our second year of marriage, it remains healthy and free of HIV. After a series of blood tests, I was fit and agreed to have children.

Calculate the fertile days

To minimize the risk of transmission, we only have unprotected sex during the fertile days. Although my immunity was good and the virus is in the blood is not detected, there is a possibility of transfer. I really had to learn how to calculate the fertile days to get pregnant, and it worked! Last month, finally, there were two bands on my pregnancy test.

Check Pregnancy: What doctor?

After a pregnancy, decide the next step. You should see a doctor, a doctor or gynecologist HIV advice. In all appointed by public hospitals, there is a special special working unit with HIV. Among physicians, a high level of education on HIV must be gynecologists.

Type of delivery and breastfeeding

HIV-positive mothers can choose the shipping method and the choice of food for their newborns. This means that we have a normal birth and breastfeeding. Of course, with certain precautions. There are medical conditions that should be considered for mothers living with HIV who are considering having a normal birth, including their CD4 cell count and viral load, and the baby's condition. This also applies to breastfeeding. If the mother is not in physical condition, will tell the doctor a Caesarean and milk infant formula.

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Prevention of mother - to - child transmission

A newborn should be prophylaxis to prevent antiviral drugs HIV transmission to babies given. the use of prophylaxis depends on the choice of foods that the baby.

How do I plan is to breastfeed my baby prophylaxis given during lactation. HIV-positive mothers are not recommended to breastfeed longer than three to six months. Once the baby teething begins, the risk of transmission of nipple wounds. If the mother chooses child, the doctor will not give prophylaxis six weeks.

Check HIV to your baby

This is a step I'm waiting. The examination will be carried out in three stages. First, if the baby four weeks using PCR HIV RNA (viral load tests), the second in six months with the same method, and the third serological month test 18. After each final piece medical advice, I am very optimistic, my baby will be healthy and free of HIV.

Now my pregnancy its sixth week has entered, and I feel have the same as other pregnant nausea and desire. I am optimistic that do not live me with HIV to prevent the same luck as other children.

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Ayu Oktariani is a living 30 years with HIV, has dedicated his life to help others infected. A mother of a girl who likes to spend his time reading, traveling with his family, drawing mandalas and blogs. Daily stories can be found in www.sukamakancokelat.com.

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