People living with HIV can start a family like anyone else. When the treatment response is effective and the viral load is below the measurement threshold, there is no risk of sexual transmission.
Planning pregnancy
If you are planning a pregnancy, you should talk to your HIV doctor well in advance. This allows the medication to be planned so that it is safe for the foetus during pregnancy. The risk of infection to the newborn baby is minimal, especially if the mother’s treatment is managed well throughout the pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
Little is known about the effect of medication on the risk of breastfeeding-related infections. Therefore, breastfeeding is generally not recommended in countries where safe breast milk substitutes are available. In Finland, breastfeeding is not recommended, but is no longer categorically forbidden. If a mother living with HIV decides to breastfeed in Finland, it is requested that she informs her care provider so that the situation can be monitored and the necessary support offered. Again, this may change in the future as more research becomes available.
Fertility treatment
If necessary, fertility treatments are available to people living with HIV on the same criteria as for HIV-negative people.