This page outlines the options for HIV positive men and women who wish to have children.

Positive pregnancy

Some HIV positive women may feel or be told that they cannot or should not have children. This can cause great sadness and is incorrect.

The risk of transmitting HIV to your child can be as low as 1-2 % if:

• Your viral load is low or undetectable;
• Your CD4 count is high;
• You use antiretrovirals during pregnancy and delivery;
• You have access to good obstetric care;
• You have a caesarean birth;
• You do not breastfeed;
• Your baby is given antiretrovirals for four weeks after delivery

More information and support

The Paediatric HIV Service at Sydney Children’s Hospital provides state-wide consultative services for the management of HIV positive women’s pregnancy and children with HIV, and resources and referrals nation-wide.

Positive Dads

There are a number of options for positive men who wish to father children. It is important to get the support of a good HIV-experienced doctor who can talk you through the options.

Unprotected sex

If your partner is HIV negative, and you decide to have unprotected sex, you will need to plan how to reduce the risk of her becoming infected with HIV. Some key things to consider are:

• Your viral load (this may be higher during or soon after seroconversion;
• Whether you or your partner has a sexually transmissible infection (this can increase the risk of HIV infection);
• Using plenty of lube during sex;
• Reduce the number of times you will need to have unprotected sex by timing sex to coincide with the woman’s ovulation

‘Sperm washing’ involves separating the sperm from the seminal fluid and using them to artificially inseminate the woman;

• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a process by which an egg is fertilised directly with a single treated spermatozoon;
• If both partners are HIV positive, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) may be an option;
• Donor insemination (using someone else’s sperm);
• Adoption (however the waiting list is very long).
  

Sperm washing and ICSI are very expensive and their availability is limited in Australia.