HIV and Conception: Risks, Procedures, and Insurance

Question
Can an HIV+ man safely conceive a child with a woman? If so, what is involved, procedures and typical expenses? Does health insurance normally pay for these?
Thanks
William

Answer
Men with HIV+ can cause a woman to conceive but can also transmit HIV to the woman in the process. If a pregnant woman is noted to be HIV+, we treat during pregnancy. This treatment has caused a decrease in the number of infected babies, so it is important for treatment to be started early during pregnancy. Unfortunately, we do not recommend that you pass bodily fluids to another person if you are HIV+ and this includes sexual intercourse. However, we have many woman who have become pregnant and are HIV+ and who have carried to term and have perfectly healthy babies. An insurance company cannot refuse to pay for a pregnancy just because the patient is HIV+. The patient must seek obstetrical care as soon as she becomes pregnant and must be monitored carefully throughout the pregancy. She should see an obstetrician who has some expertise in treating HIV+ patients. Good Luck.