A baby may acquire HIV from their HIV-positive mother during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding. This is referred to as mother to child transmission, or vertical transmission.

The risk of HIV transmission from an HIV-positive mother to their unborn baby is related to the mother's viral load.

There are a number of ways to minimise the risk of HIV transmission during pregnancy, including antiretroviral therapy, undertaking elective caesarean delivery of the baby and avoiding breastfeeding. Doing all these things can reduce the risk of mother to child transmission risk to around 1 to 2 percent.

For more information about HIV transmission from mother to baby, download the AFAO resource for HIV-positive women, Treat Yourself Right. (PDF - 1.6 MB)

See also:

Sydney Children's Hospital Paediatric HIV Service for information about pregnancy and birth, and services for children with HIV.

Women & HIV Fact Sheets Information for women about HIV testing, treatments, health, pregnancy and local NSW services. Published by Family Planning NSW in March 2010.