Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The syndrome is potentially fatal.
Transmission is known to occur in a number of ways:
• Heterosexual intercourse, male to female or female to male
• Homosexual intercourse, most commonly receptive anal intercourse
• Sharing of syringes or needles
• Receiving a blood transfusion with infected blood
• Across the placenta, from the pregnant person to the infant
• To infant through breast milk
• Artificial insemination by donor
• Very rarely by needle stick or other exposure of health care workers
In addition to protecting ourselves with this information, we now know that we can protect our unborn children. Proper medical treatment minimizes a chance that a baby will be born with HIV.
The midwives can order an HIV test for you, or free confidential HIV testing is available through the Allegheny County Health Department.
Although testing may be declined, the current recommendation from the CDC and The Midwife Center is for universal testing of all clients during pregnancy.