Risks of getting pregnant and contracting HIV

[rolf2009]

I am hoping I am in the right forum, but I assume here is the most knowledge regarding my issue.
I am a male and living since approx. 15 years with HIV, and 6 of them I am taking meds. My CD4 is around 800-900 and VL is undetectable (under 4 copies/ml). I am happily married since 10 years and my wife is until now negative. Which for itself is a wonder, as we had unprotected sex over many years until I found out I am positive. Anyway, we both would love to have a child/children. So we went to a hospital and got all the information regarding sperm washing, IVF, etc.
Fact is, my wifes tubes are closed and the doc said, they could try to open them with an operation, but the chances, that she can get pregnant afterwards are very slim. This brought us to the solution of IVF (In vitrio fertilization - hope it is written right) and we tried this 2 times in the only special hospital available in this country offering this including sperm washing. It didn't work, the embryo couldn't hold. Besides costing us a lot of money, it was quite a traumatizing event for my wife, as there was life planted inside her after years of hoping, and it still didn't work.
Now we are discussing since a while the possibility to visit other hospitals for IVF. However, these don't offer sperm washing. So my question is, how big is the risk of an infection for her and the unborn child, when doing IVF without sperm washing?
I know, there might be an outcry going on when reading this, but my wife know all the risks regarding infection and the possibility to become positive.
Anyway, we are just asking in the moment and want to know, if there are women out there who had same or similar experiences.
Thank you very much for your support and help.

[Ann]

Rolf, I've moved your thread into the Living forum. The Women's forum is for women ONLY.

Many poz/neg couples are having children the "old fashioned way" these days, provided the poz partner has had an undetectable viral load for at least six months, and there are no other STIs present in either person.

Sperm-washing for hiv positive men is pretty much a thing of the past now days.

When doing IVF, I don't see why you would need sperm-washing anyway. The baby cannot be infected by hiv in the semen. A baby will only become infected if the MOTHER is hiv positive and transmits her virus to the baby during the pregnancy or during the birth (or breast feeding afterwards).

It is unclear whether or not your wife has had her tubes operated on and opened. It's also unclear whether or not her tubes were "blocked" as the result of a medical contraceptive procedure or if they are blocked due to scar tissue.

If they are blocked due to scar tissue, it is unlikely she'd be able to conceive even if operated on. If they are blocked due to having them "tied" or clipped for contraceptive purposes, the success rate of conception after a reversal is higher, but it depends on how long ago the procedure was done in the first place. The longer ago it was, the more likely there will be too much scar tissue present.

If she hasn't had the operation done and you will still be relying on IVF, again, you shouldn't need sperm-washing done anyway. The embryo is created outside the body and then implanted in the woman. The embryo will not be hiv positive.

Here are some articles you may find helpful:

Timed Intercourse Plus PrEP for Low-Risk Natural Conception

Sperm of the Moment

Swiss experts say individuals with undetectable viral load and no STI cannot transmit HIV during sex

Swiss Statement

HIV, Pregnancy and Women’s health - an i-Base Guide

The Swiss Statement link is part of the i-Base guide. The guide is VERY detailed and informative and you should find a lot of good information there.

Hope this helps.

Ann

[Rockin]

Sperm-washing for hiv positive men is pretty much a thing of the past now days.

Hey Ann, could you elaborate on this or send me a link or something? My doctor mentioned the spem washing thing if I'd like to conceive.

[Ann]

Hey Ann, could you elaborate on this or send me a link or something? My doctor mentioned the spem washing thing if I'd like to conceive.

Try reading the links I gave Rolf.

[Rockin]

Try reading the links I gave Rolf.

Thanks, I did. But what if the woman is still scared of the risk of infection, regardless of the statistics? Is sperm washing still a viable choice?

[Ann]

Thanks, I did. But what if the woman is still scared of the risk of infection, regardless of the statistics? Is sperm washing still a viable choice?

Yes, it's still a viable choice - if you can afford it. It's prohibitively expensive for many people.

[rolf2009]

Dear all, thanks a lot for the replies. the links provided have all a positive attitude and aree giving us hope again. Wish us all luck, and vise versa we wish everybody good health and a good life.