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HIV and Its Treatment
HIV and PregnancyI am HIV positive and pregnant. Should I take anti-HIV medications? You should take anti-HIV medications if:
You should also take anti-HIV medications to prevent your baby from becoming infected with HIV. Specific treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV is discussed below.
What medications should I take if I am pregnant or think I might become pregnant? If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, you should consider the risks and benefits of HIV treatment to both you and your child. Some medications (such as Sustiva) should be avoided because they may cause birth defects if taken early in pregnancy. The effects of other anti-HIV medications are not yet known. It is important for you to talk with your doctor before and during your pregnancy so that together you can decide on the best treatment for you and your baby. To reduce the risk of passing HIV to your baby, your treatment regimen should include a three-part ZDV (also known as zidovudine, AZT, or Retrovir) regimen.
What is the three-part ZDV regimen? HIV infected pregnant women should take ZDV starting at 14 to 34 weeks of pregnancy. You can take either 100 mg five times a day, 200 mg three times a day, or 300 mg twice a day. During labor and delivery, you should receive ZDV intravenously (through an IV in the vein). Your baby should take ZDV (in liquid form) every 6 hours for 6 weeks after he or she is born.
I am already on an HIV treatment regimen. Do I need to change my medications? If you are already taking anti-HIV medications, talk with your doctor about the potential risks and benefits to your baby if you decide to continue your treatment regimen during your pregnancy. You and your doctor may decide to change your medications or change your medication dose. Make sure that your regimen includes the appropriate dose of ZDV. In general, efavirenz (Sustiva), stavudine (Zerit), hydroxyurea, and the oral liquid form of amprenavir (Agenerase) should not be used during pregnancy.
Will my baby be born HIV infected? No one can tell you for sure if your baby will be born HIV infected. The three-part ZDV regimen has been shown to reduce the risk of passing HIV to your baby by almost 70%. Additional anti-HIV medications can treat your infection and may provide extra protection for your baby. However, the possible problems with using multiple medications during pregnancy are not well understood. Other actions to help you protect your baby include getting regular prenatal care and adhering to your HIV drug treatment plan.
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you are experiencing severe symptoms of HIV or have been diagnosed with AIDS 
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