If you are asymptomatic, it seems that being pregnant will not cause you to develop AIDS faster. There’s no proof that pregnancy will cause you to develop symptoms. If you already have symptoms or have AIDS, pregnancy may cause health problems and lead to AIDS-related illnesses. While you are pregnant, your T4 cell count will drop. After your baby is delivered, your count may rise again slowly. Drugs may have an effect on how your fetus develops, especially during the first trimester (the first fourteen weeks) of pregnancy. Your doctor may advise you to avoid all drugs during this period. If you are pregnant and have a T4 count of less than 200, your doctor will suggest treatments to prevent PCP.
It is advised by AIDS professionals that TMP / SMX, dapsone, and aerosolized pentamidine seem to be safe to use during pregnancy. Acyclovir may be used safely late in pregnancy (after your baby’s organs have formed completely). AZT can reduce the chance of passing on HIV to your baby. It seems to be safe to use after the first trimester.
