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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

HIV Testing in Pregnancy??

55 replies

magnolia1 · 31/05/2006 22:00

Have you?

Had all the tests in previous pg's so why gain??

Worried my midwife will whinge at me but I really don't see the point.

Views please

OP posts:
ComeOVeneer · 31/05/2006 22:02

I did it for both my pregnancies, but I work in a job that is slightly higher risk than the general public so thought it a good opportunity to check. Having said that I don't think most midwives will make an issue of it if you choose not to.

Securlurking · 31/05/2006 22:02

thought it was done on smaples you give anyway?

TBH I don't see that there is any point getting up the energy to argue about it?

(but maybe I am just really lazy!)

Twiglett · 31/05/2006 22:02

yes

not worth the argument

they've already got the blood and its no skin off your nose

PanicPants · 31/05/2006 22:03

I supose it's because you've obviously had unprotected sex since your last test and they have to make sure.

Think you should have it done to put your mind (and midwifes) at rest

Original poster
magnolia1 · 31/05/2006 22:03

Thats why I did it in my previous pg's but haven't gone back to that line of work since dd4. I was reading the leaflet and it sounded so pressurising.

OP posts:
Twiglett · 31/05/2006 22:04

snap secur Grin

Snafu · 31/05/2006 22:05

The mw won't whinge at you. It's entirely your choice. If you don't see any reason to have it, it's not an issue.

Original poster
magnolia1 · 31/05/2006 22:05

It used to be on samples but now it gets registered with your gp and is on your medical notes that you are Hiv tested no matter what the result is.

OP posts:
Snafu · 31/05/2006 22:08

Are you concerned about having been 'seen' to have been tested? The vast majority of pg women have it done these days.

Puddingclub · 31/05/2006 22:08

No. Was actually advised by midwife at booking appt. NOT to agree to test as may have insurance implications if you were to get positive result!

They would require your permission to test, btw.

LaylaandSethsmum · 31/05/2006 22:15

As Twiglett has said most pg women are tested now as are all blood donors so most of the adult population has been tested at some point. AS you say from an insurance point of view a positive test would make a difference but this this is all they can asked they can't asked if you've ever been tested. If it was positive there would be far more important issues to deal with than insurance though surely?

Laura032004 · 31/05/2006 22:16

My leaflet said there was no insurance implications of having the test - in the way there would be if you requested a test at an STD clinic for example. However, if you tested positive, then you may have to declare it to the insurance co. Personally, if there was any chance that I might test positive, I'd want to know, insurance implications or not.

Laura032004 · 31/05/2006 22:17

snap LaylaandSethsmum :)

sugarfree · 31/05/2006 22:17

When I was having Ds1 13 years ago,they used to take random,'anonymous' tests to show the rate of HIV infection amongst the heterosexual population.
I didn't have it done with Ds2 and Ds3 partly because I have no reason to think I may be infected and partly because if I wanted to be tested I would go to a G.U.Med Unit and get some conselling first.
Really din't fancy the thought of an ante natal appointment along the lines of "BP fine,nothing in your pee,but btw,you're HIV positive"
I wasn't pressured by the midwives either.

Securlurking · 31/05/2006 22:18

Grin twig!

Testing during PG does not count against life insurance as there was a whole who haa about it years ago, companies are not aloud to let it count against you now as it is a sensible thing to do when PG and is done as standard in any case (not by risk factors)

Also, I understood that it goes on your notes if you agree to the test (not the result just the test) but that every pg woman who gives blood at a certain point in pg gets tested anonimously (sp? lol) for statistical purposes. The idea being that if every pg woman is tested every time then they can get and accurate picture as to the extent of the problem in the UK.

Could be wrong of course, but I am sure this is true.

kama · 31/05/2006 22:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

PinkTulips · 31/05/2006 22:25

not to mention that in some people HIV can lie dormant for years so even if you've been completely monogomous you could have it.

i'd want to know for my babies sake tbh, if you test pos they can give you drugs that reduce the risk of it transferring to your baby to just 6%. wouldn't it be worth the embarressment for your babies sake?

kama · 31/05/2006 22:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

QueenMab · 31/05/2006 22:37

Insurance companies can load you if you have an HIV test for any reason other than when you are pregnant - the implication being that you think you may be doing/have done something risky to require a test. Tests done during pregnancy are not viewed the same way and you do not have to declare them if you apply for life insurance and are asked if you have had an HIV test.

Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads · 31/05/2006 22:53

Testing in itself during pregnancy does not affect insurance. Yes if you were positive it would affect your life insurance. However the reason they do the test is because if they find out you are HIV positive during pregnancy they can intervene to decrease (considerably) the risk of the baby getting HIV. Surely that's more important? That midwife sounds positive dangerous!

Puddingclub · 31/05/2006 22:57

I did think it was a pretty peculiar attitude at the time. Thanks for clarifying the insurance position btw.

pucca · 31/05/2006 22:59

I have had the HIV in both my pregnancies (currently 28 wks pg) and tbh it hasn't bothered me to the point of worrying about it. Of course it would be horrific if the test did come back positive but i certainly haven't lost any sleep over it, and it is quite a nice feeling to know you don't have anything wrong iykwim.

pucca · 31/05/2006 22:59

HIV tests i meant to say lol.

jabberwocky · 01/06/2006 18:04

I did initially think it was a little redundant to have it in the second pregnancy, but didn't want to make an issue out of not having so went ahead. As it turned out, the week of my blood test we got a letter saying that dh may have been exposed to HIV when he had a prostate biopsy several years ago! I was soooo glad that I had gone ahead with the test.

btw, dh is fine as well.

Kathy1972 · 01/06/2006 18:18

I had the test with dd but I'm not having it this time. To be honest the only way I might have caught it since then is if they used a dirty needle when they gave me my epidural, so I'm not that concerned.

Amazing the difference between different areas in how much fuss they make over it. My antenatal care with dd was mostly in Leicester (inner city surgery) and I hardly registered that I even had a choice about it - it was more or less assumed I'd have it done. Here in E. Yorkshire they send you a leaflet in the post specially and the midwives go on and on about in a terribly embarrassed way, as if you'll be offended by their even suggesting it.