Key Information about HIV for Pregnant Women
Your health and the health of your baby are our main concerns.
HIV testing is now recommended as a routine test for all pregnant women. This test can be done with your other prenatal bloodwork.
Your HIV test is voluntary. Your provider will ask you to sign a consent form for HIV testing, which you should read in full. Your provider will also answer any questions with you that you may have about HIV.
HIV is passed from one person to another during unprotected sex with someone who has HIV. HIV is passed through contact with blood as in sharing needles (piercing, tattooing or injecting drugs of any kind) with a person who has HIV.
Testing Confidentiality
HIV testing is confidential.
HIV Testing for Newborns
A woman with HIV or AIDS (caused by the virus called HIV) can give it to her baby before birth, during birth, or while breastfeeding. New York State law requires all babies be tested for HIV soon after birth. It is much better for a woman to know her HIV status as early in pregnancy as possible, so that she can make important decisions about care and breastfeeding.
Talk to your doctor at Capital Region Women’s Care about getting tested for HIV and ask any questions you may have.