Hiv And Pregnancy

[kob]

Sawatdee khrap,

my girlfriend is pregnant and we discovered last week after a routine blood test that she was HIV+ . I hadn't barely known until these days what means HIV and the differences with AIDS... The reading of the topic from Pete "My gf has HIV+" let me knew more and I discovered there could be hope (even if his story ended badly with his gf).

As it seems there are well aware people on this forum about HIV, I have 3 big questions in my mind that people around here would perhaps have answers :

- are the public health hospital good enough in small Isaan cities to help people having HIV+ ? my gf is from Sisaket,

- are the public health hospital good enough to manage a pregnancy of a HIV+ pregnant woman ?

- does anyone have experiences to share about pregnancy and HIV+ , how dangerous it is for the baby (I mean the side effects of the medicine), and especially in South-East Asia?

Thanks for any advices,

Kob

[the scouser]

I don't know about medical care in Isaan, but if you get the opportunity, get your girlfriend to Europe where treatment, I would say, is better and more effective.

In the West doctors do not discourage HIV+ women from becoming pregnant, but, under normal circumstances, they would advise that the individual should already be on a course of treatment and that the viral load is negligible before countenancing pregnancy. The medical belief is that the higher the viral load, the greater the chance of transmission from mother to the foetus. Additionally, the doctors will recommend a Caesarian birth and no breastfeeding. It is also usual practice to give the child some anti-retroviral drugs immediately after birth and for a week thereafter.

Inevitably the child will initially test positive as it will be carrying some of the mother's antibodies. However, a series of blood tests should be carried out over the next one-and-a-half years and only after this time can it definitively be said that the child is either HIV+ or free from the virus.

Scouse.

[the scouser]

Further information can be found on the Avert website.

Scouse.

[Sheryl]

Sawatdee khrap,

my girlfriend is pregnant and we discovered last week after a routine blood test that she was HIV+ . I hadn't barely known until these days what means HIV and the differences with AIDS... The reading of the topic from Pete "My gf has HIV+" let me knew more and I discovered there could be hope (even if his story ended badly with his gf).

As it seems there are well aware people on this forum about HIV, I have 3 big questions in my mind that people around here would perhaps have answers :

- are the public health hospital good enough in small Isaan cities to help people having HIV+ ? my gf is from Sisaket,

- are the public health hospital good enough to manage a pregnancy of a HIV+ pregnant woman ?

- does anyone have experiences to share about pregnancy and HIV+ , how dangerous it is for the baby (I mean the side effects of the medicine), and especially in South-East Asia?

Thanks for any advices,

Kob

Kob,

Public health hospitals at least at provincial level (i.e. provincial hospital) can manage both HIV and pregnancy in HIV + woman. Not sure about district hospitals.

Other point I am not sure of is whether the Thai public health system still reserves anti-retroviral drugs for people with CD4 counts below a certain level, due to resource constraints they may while current thibnking is that it is advantageous to start immediately after identification of HIV +. However that constraint, if still present, would not apply to ARV during pregnancy to protect the baby, there is a good national protocol for that and all pregnant HIV+ are covered.

The rosks of the medication for the baby are minimal and advantages obvious.

Obviously, you need to have an HIV test yourself and also commit to life-long condom use (this even if you are already positive, as you can increase each other's vioral loads otherwise).

Once she has the baby, need to be sure she can safekly bottle-feed, i.e. clean water and proper sterilization of the bottles, proper formula. Possible that the public health system helps with cost of formula, not sure.

Good luck

[kob]

Thank you both for your replies.

We are lucky than in Western countries it's a little bit easier to speak about this subject, less hidden.

I say this but I'm using a nickname...

In fact I'm thinking about to go to Europe not because of the health system (I discovered from the pregnancy that the public health system is better than what I thought) but because of the stigma of HIV.

Thanks again for your advices,

Kob

[kob]

the link is very valuable, thank you Scouse

[katana]

Would also suggest getting a 2nd independent HIV test just to be sure.

[sleepyjohn]

I remember the infection rate to the unborn child is surprisingly low, about 25%, at least that's what they thought a few years ago.

[stevenjm]

Sawatdee khrap,

my girlfriend is pregnant and we discovered last week after a routine blood test that she was HIV+ . I hadn't barely known until these days what means HIV and the differences with AIDS... The reading of the topic from Pete "My gf has HIV+" let me knew more and I discovered there could be hope (even if his story ended badly with his gf).

As it seems there are well aware people on this forum about HIV, I have 3 big questions in my mind that people around here would perhaps have answers :

- are the public health hospital good enough in small Isaan cities to help people having HIV+ ? my gf is from Sisaket,

- are the public health hospital good enough to manage a pregnancy of a HIV+ pregnant woman ?

- does anyone have experiences to share about pregnancy and HIV+ , how dangerous it is for the baby (I mean the side effects of the medicine), and especially in South-East Asia?

Thanks for any advices,

Kob

Kob. Good on you, you obviously have a case of the real thing (genuine love) just careful your not accused of being co-dependant .

Although I can offer little insight into the pregnancy aspect I do know that ceasarian is the only way to go and that your a good chance of infant being being ok.

As Sheryl mentioned different countries impose different levels on cd4 counts before being eligable for public health ant-v's.

The rate in Cambodia is cd4 200 however the rate in an affluent country such as Australia is 500. I would suggest should your partners cd4 be bellow 500 that you should do it privately and get her onto gpo vir or similar however strongly suggest you do this through a reputable clinic as lead in period and monitoring of blood levels is imperative. A good effective lead in strategy, in my experience, is what makes the difference between those who tollerate the meds well and those who do not. Constant monitoring and religious medication routine along with sensible diet and excersize should see your partner do well.

I was in touch with a senior executive of pharmaceutical company Roache a couple of years back and she explained to me that hiv is no longer the death sentence it used to be and that in fact they are trying to re-educate people that it is similar to living with diabetes as long as the meds are tollerated. Whatsmore she informed me that although somebody MAY not live until 85 years with hiv there is no reason why without proper meds and lifestyle that 65 years plus not be unexpected.

My hats off to you for sticking by your loved one and I wish you and family all the best.

Allthough my own situation became a tragedy it was not hiv that caused that, it was a power I had no control over and I still feel warm looking back at the wonderful times I had with my now confused, lost wife.

ps. I would not be so quick to make decision to leave thailand for birth, you are dealing with a country that has far more experience in these matters whilst in Thailand.

all the best. Steve

[kob]

Although I can offer little insight into the pregnancy aspect I do know that ceasarian is the only way to go and that your a good chance of infant being being ok.

Hello Steve,

in fact as far as I read about and discussed with doctor even if not specialist about delivery, the caesarian is not necessary if the virus load is not important.

For those in this situation the link above gives accurate advices.

Thanks for your reply and good luck,

Kob

[kob]

Hello there,

I'm back again as after several months like things could be ok, my friend as our baby is about to come soon is suddenly in a very bad temper, desesperated, saying things that she has no future and is going to hel_l (and doesn't want I continue to see her while going to hel_l... ).

Does anyone know if there are some organisations, like NGO or whatever, helping people HIV+ in Thailand to keep faith in future... She doesn't listen to me as she thinks I cannot understand how difficult it is for people in Thailand as in France she thinks people accept more easily to live with people HIV+.

She is very afraid to become as a woman she knows in her village, skinny, and with nobody talking to her.

I need some help from Thai people to explain her her chances to have a normal life, as I believed that nowadays it's possible to have future. And "hel_l" is not a fatality. I tried to explain with my voice, but she doesn't believe me and doesn't want to deal with me anymore. She is very strong minded... but I'm thinking that perhaps with the help of Thaï people she can regain faith in future.

Thanks for any idea of people I can contact,

Kob

[Goinghomesoon]

There are several counselling services around town, I am sure some of them would be willing to link up with a medical professional to ensure that your family could get not only emotional support but good solid medical advice. I think New Community Services has a good rep and they have English and Thai speakers www.ncs-counseling.com/eng/index.html. I'm sure there are others around.

Edited January 4, 2008 by Goinghomesoon

[moldy]

There are several counselling services around town, I am sure some of them would be willing to link up with a medical professional to ensure that your family could get not only emotional support but good solid medical advice. I think New Community Services has a good rep and they have English and Thai speakers www.ncs-counseling.com/eng/index.html. I'm sure there are others around.

Message of sympathy and support. The poor girl sounds frightened to death. HIV seems to carry a death sentence just because, and it's important for you to provide hope, and to be sure there is plenty of it. You have to keep trying. I expect she is just sick of the whole game at the moment and this is her way of blotting it out. It may be best to take it easy. Patience and tact are called for. If you confront the problem head on, you'll likely further entrench her. I suspect this will have a happy ending from what I know.

[Sheryl]

There are many Thai support groups for PLWHA (Persons Living With HIV/AIDs) and you are absolutely correct, what she needs is to hear from other Thais successfully living with this disease.

She's right about the stigma part, but her HIV status is her own private business and no one has to know it unless she shooses to tell them. And with proper medical care she need not advance to AIDS like the woman she is thinking of. So what you need to do is find a support group in your area.

Not sure if you are in Sisakate or Bkk or where these days but anyhow suggest you start by contacting either of these (these are the HQ numbers but they can provide the contact numberto a support group in your locality):

Thai Red Cross:

HIV-PHONE 0-2253-2666

If you have any questions about or need advice on the HIV virus or any information about how to live with people with HIV/AIDS, contact us at the number above. Our staff are available to help you on weekdays from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

or

Population and Community Development Association (PDA)

6 Sukhumvit 12, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110

Tel : 662-229-4611-28 Fax : 662-229-4632

E-Mail : [email protected]

PDA also has branches in Isaan, see this link http://www.pda.or.th/eng/contact.asp

One last thought....I have seen many cases like your gf and in my experience there is more amiss than just the stress of HIV, there is a whole life story of pain, exploitation and low self image behind it which sometimes is just more than they can overcome. The most loving partner in the world can't solve this problem, unltimately she will get through it or not depending on her own inner reserves. But you should be prepared for the possibility that she will not and that this may end badly. Not because of the HIV but becauise of the accumulated emotional damage she has sustained. Is ay this because there is a baby coming, and there are steps you can and should take to protect the child in case the worst occurs.

It would be very wise -- and undoubtedly in the child's best interests -- for you to marry her before the child is born thereby securing your rights as father and the child's right to obtain your nationality. If you don't, at a minimum make sure you are listed on the birth certificate as the father and get a local lawyer to work out the necessary paperwork to give you legal custody, and contact your embassy to find out what is required on that end. Don't put this off or trust on your gf doing the right thing. She doesn't sound like she's thinking rationally and is likely to be even less rational post partum when hormonal changes kick in on top og everything else.

You don't have the power to save your gf -- altho we can all hope she'll find within herself the power to pull herself through --- but you DO have the power to ensure a safe future for your child.

Good luck to all 3 of you...

[Dakhar]

I really have nothing positive to add... so rather than add an opinion, I will add a few web sites:

thebody.c

medhel.c

Consult with those 2 websites to fin a ton of information.

[kob]

thank you very much Sheryl for your support and advices. Yes it's what I'm doing, trying to have a certificate birth with my name so I can at least protect my child.

Thank you and others for your replies.

Kob