British Columbia guidelines for the care of HIV positive pregnant women and interventions to reduce perinatal transmission /

The provision of pregnancy and reproductive health care in HIV infected women should involve a collaboration with individuals experienced in the management of high risk pregnancy and HIV care of women and infants. [...] The incidence of pregnancies in HIV positive women in Canada has been gradually increasing with variable rates of increase from province to province.10 In BC, the majority of HIV positive pregnancies occur in the setting of known HIV infection prior to conception, while in an estimated 18% of cases, HIV is diagnosed during the pregnancy.11 With the implementation of cART for pregnant women in late [...] Woman should be made aware of the improved natural history of the HIV, specifically that with compliance to care and therapy, individuals living with HIV are now experiencing an improved quality of life and prolonged life expectancy.15 Women should also be made aware that with the use of cART and abstaining from breastfeeding the risk or vertical transmission is <1%. [...] Women should be made aware that with the use of cART and abstaining from breastfeeding the risk of vertical transmission is <1% in Canada.10 In the event that the woman does not wish to continue the pregnancy, facilitation of access to termination of pregnancy services should be provided. [...] In general, the recommendations for the use of antiretroviral therapy for the benefit of maternal health during pregnancy are similar as for women regardless of pregnancy status.2, 3 However there are a number of important considerations based on limited experience and/or specific concerns with some antiretroviral drugs in pregnancy.4 While optimizing maternal care and health is of prime importanc