Author Topic: Pregnant, 40, and Worried (Read 18951 times)

vivyt · « **on:** May 15, 2015, 08:42:32 am »

Hi ladies! I am 40 years old, been positive for 8 years, and am 12 weeks pregnant. I have consulted with my ID doctor and he assures me that there won't be any problems carrying the baby to term and even though I've been on Atripla he still says it'll be fine. I met with the OB/GYN and he also says not to worry. I've done the research and know that chances of anything happening are very low, but I still can't help but worry. I guess I'm just looking for reassurance.

yellabee3 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 15, 2015, 09:52:23 am »

Hello, I believe everything will go well with you and congrats on the pregnancy. I had my son Feb 7th and found out I was positive when I was in my 24th week. I was stressed out and worried about my baby and the future of my marriage and state of mind. My son has been healthy so far and been tested negative 3 times. We go for our 4 month check up next month and the worries began again. Back to you, If the doctors not worry, I believe you will have a healthy pregnancy. But of course worrying is in our nature.

Sweet_C · « **Reply #2 on:** May 16, 2015, 07:02:15 pm »

Congratulations!!! As long as you stay on your meds, you have nothing to worry about HIV wise.

I've had two HIV negative children since being diagnosed--1st at age 36 and 2nd at age 39. Both were straightforward uncomplicated pregnancies.

My second pregnancy I was a little freaked out because I had a precipitous labor and by the time I got to the hospital there was not time to do the AZT drip. My little boy is HIV negative. I found out later that theca current research suggests that the AZT drip is unnecessary for women who are undetectable, although this has not filtered down to the hospitals yet. The thinking these days is that if you are undetectable you are not infectious.

anniebc · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2015, 07:31:54 pm »

Congratulations, and trust your Docs on this, do as they say and all will be well.

Aroha
Jan

lupetto · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2015, 02:10:42 pm »

Congratulations vivyt, that's wonderful news!

I'm sure your doctors would tell you if there was anything that you should be concerned about. What is it that worries you? HIV or something else? Having HIV will not harm your child in any way and you will have a healthy, negative baby - that's what all the research and the doctors are saying. But then again, I suppose all mothers worry about something when it comes to their kids, no matter what, so I guess you should just get used to it

Happy expecting to you guys!

karry · « **Reply #5 on:** May 19, 2015, 07:38:23 pm »

Hi Vivyt!
Congratulations! You will be having a November baby like me....yupee!

I have been pos for 8 years and I am going to be 37 by the time I have the baby. I am now on kivexa, atazanavir and norvir. I just switched from kaletra to norvir and atazanavir a few days ago. The dr I see specializes in HIV pos women. She is quite young though, but very likeable and trustworthy. She reassures me that my age and status are not a hindrance to having a healthy baby! I am keeping a very positive outlook on that, taking my meds religiously and trusting her.

Your doctors are right! You will be okay!
Here is to a cheerful pregnancy for you!
Karry

vivyt · « **Reply #6 on:** May 19, 2015, 11:42:57 pm »

Thanks for the reassurance ladies. I was concerned because of the Atripla, which I is what I am on, but the doctor let me know that chances of anything happening were statistically insignificant. I also found out that I might be able to have a vaginal delivery because my viral load is undetectable

. I guess I just can't help but be a little worried. I go in Thursday for my second ultrasound sine I am at an "advanced maternal age"...lol!

Sweet_C · « **Reply #7 on:** May 21, 2015, 10:55:52 pm »

My doc said the same thing about the super low chance of anything happening on Atripla. It seems like the drug had nothing to do with the birth defects and there's just not enough data to prove otherwise.

DLynn1982 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 02, 2015, 09:16:39 am »

Is your doctor continuing you on Atripla, or has he changed your medication for the remainder of your pregnancy?

vivyt · « **Reply #9 on:** June 04, 2015, 01:48:34 pm »

My ID doctor kept me on Atripla because I was already about 8 or 9 weeks pregnant and any damage that could be done is during the first 8 weeks. He spoke to a specialist in high risk pregnancies and he found that the studies they have done aren't statistically significant enough to cause alarm. He reassured me it would be fine. Atripla is the only med I've been on since diagnosed in 2007. Right now it's more about my age rather than my illness.

I will be 15 weeks this Saturday and everything is progressing nicely. ☺️

DLynn1982 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 04, 2015, 06:39:07 pm »

I wish you the best of luck and keep us updated! I'm 32 and have only been on Atripla. My husband and I are ready to start a family so I'm waiting on an appointment with my ID specialist. But I'm gathering as much information as possible and your story has helped. Thank you for sharing!!

Rosie117 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 04, 2015, 03:15:05 am »

Hi ladies. I searched for threads regarding pregnancy and medication and came upon this one. My husband and I have decided we'd like to have a baby in the next year or two. My ID doctor is aware and said I'd have to switch meds before trying to get pregnant. I've been on Stribild since diagnosis in October 2014 and have been undetectable with no bad side effects. She is recommending I switch to Complera before pregnancy. Have any of you had experience with Complera or have your doctors mentioned it at all when going over possible treatments during pregnancy?

Thank you and I hope you're all doing well!

vivyt · « **Reply #12 on:** July 05, 2015, 11:25:37 pm »

Hi Rosie! I don't know about that medication. I have been taking Atripla since 2007. I was already 11 weeks pregnant by the time I found out. My ID doctor, after research and a consult with another doctor, had me just stay on the medication. He said that if there was any damage to be done it was during the first 6 weeks. He also said that I would be ok. Obviously if I was planning the pregnancy I would have changed meds. I'm 19 weeks now. Trust whatever the doctor says and good luck! Hopefully someone here will no more about the meds.

Snowangel · « **Reply #13 on:** July 18, 2015, 10:29:29 am »

WHAT?

?

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

I am so happy for you!! Girl, you got this, no problem!!

vivyt · « **Reply #14 on:** July 22, 2015, 09:33:12 am »

Snowangel

Begather · « **Reply #15 on:** July 25, 2015, 03:18:13 am »

Quote from: anniebc on May 17, 2015, 07:31:54 pm

Congratulations, and trust your Docs on this, do as they say and all will be well.

Aroha
Jan

Yeah you are right. It is very necessary to trust your doctors and just follow their instructions.

Jeff G · « **Reply #16 on:** July 25, 2015, 08:46:21 am »

Quote from: Begather on July 25, 2015, 03:18:13 am

Yeah you are right. It is very necessary to trust your doctors and just follow their instructions.

Welcome to the forum . Looking at your email name I have reason to think you may be a guy ... this forum is the women's only forum . Please start a thread in another forum and introduce yourself. Are you living with HIV ?

Jazabella · « **Reply #17 on:** July 26, 2015, 10:26:48 pm »

Hello ladies, I. Would like to congratule all the ladies who had taken medications during their pregnancy and their children were negative. Unlike me, I did the opposite. This is truly a blessing.

Rosie117 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 07, 2015, 02:18:05 pm »

Thank you Vivyt. Congratulations!!!

karry · « **Reply #19 on:** August 14, 2015, 09:03:04 am »

Quote from: Rosie117 on July 04, 2015, 03:15:05 am

Hi ladies. I searched for threads regarding pregnancy and medication and came upon this one. My husband and I have decided we'd like to have a baby in the next year or two. My ID doctor is aware and said I'd have to switch meds before trying to get pregnant. I've been on Stribild since diagnosis in October 2014 and have been undetectable with no bad side effects. She is recommending I switch to Complera before pregnancy. Have any of you had experience with Complera or have your doctors mentioned it at all when going over possible treatments during pregnancy?

Thank you and I hope you're all doing well!

Hello Rosie,
I am 25 weeks along and when I asked my dr about complera at the start of my pregnancy, she did not recommend it because there was not enough statistics out there about the use of complera in pregnancy and the possible outcome on the baby. She preferred to keep me on medication that had good stats.

Hope this helps.
K.

vivyt · « **Reply #20 on:** November 05, 2015, 08:59:33 am »

Hey ladies! Thought I'd post an update. I'm now finishing my 36th week and everything is progressing nicely. There have been no complications or issues so far so I'm happy about that. I have however discovered that both my mom and the baby's father are having a difficult time believing that the baby will be ok when she is born. I have shared with them EVERYTHING that the doctors have said and yet there is still doubt on their part. I have faith that it will be fine. I mean why would the doctors tell me otherwise. All I know is that now their doubt is creeping over to me. 😒 I guess I just need reassurance...again. Any advice?

Hope all is well with everyone! 😊😊

DLynn1982 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 06, 2015, 07:52:49 pm »

Congratulations, I'm so happy everything has progressed well. Good luck on the final month of your journey!!

Begather · « **Reply #22 on:** November 09, 2015, 06:22:31 am »

Quote from: DLynn1982 on November 06, 2015, 07:52:49 pm

Congratulations, I'm so happy everything has progressed well. Good luck on the final month of your journey!!

I feel very proud when we shall say good luck to our human fellows either we know each other or not.

karry · « **Reply #23 on:** November 09, 2015, 02:38:21 pm »

Hi Vivyt!
Congrats on the 36 weeks milestone! I just hit 38 myself and very excited about meeting my little one soon.

I do understand the fears of your mum and hubby, but just assure them baby will be ok, so long as you take your meds and are being monitored.

My doctor assured me that so long as I adhere to my meds and my vl is undetectable, I have no reason to fear. I am keeping positive and listening to her. She is also pushing for vaginal birth because as per protocol with an undetectable vl, a ceasarian will only be considered if medically necessary at the moment of birth.

Take care and enjoy the last few weeks of pregnancy.
XOXOXO
Karry

Sweet_C · « **Reply #24 on:** November 17, 2015, 10:30:42 pm »

VivyT and karry, congratulations in advance! I'm sure at least one of you is holding a baby in her arms as we speak.

Vivy, even though we've had two HIV- kids, my hubby still worries about the child getting the virus. It's hard not to worry, but you have to trust the science. I admit that it's pretty nervewracking waiting for the test results, but I try to think logically and focus on the science--and at this point the conventional wisdom is that undetectable=noninfectious.

vivyt · « **Reply #25 on:** December 03, 2015, 10:17:10 pm »

Hey all! Well, my sweet angel was born November 22nd. It has been an adjustment to say the least, lol! Thank you Sweet_C. The doctor that was in charge my girl was also very reassuring. Right now she is taking meds twice a day but the doctor thinks she'll only have to take it for 4 weeks. I will know more about the first set of test results at her specialist appointment on the 14th. For now I'm just enjoying being totally in love. 😍

karry · « **Reply #26 on:** December 07, 2015, 06:33:50 pm »

Congratulations Vivyt!
You had your baby a week earlier than I did. I finally had my little guy 29th. He is also taking his meds twice daily and he is doing great. I am very optimistic.

Takes a lot of energy too...wao! The 3 hr bottle-feeding schedule! But its wonderful!

Hugs to all
K.

lioness · « **Reply #27 on:** December 08, 2015, 05:06:10 pm »

Congrats ladies for the joy of becoming pregnant, delivering normally and even breastfeeding. I am 31 years old, a mother of one (4yrs). I learnt about my status in Sept 2015. Though I currently do not stay with my husband (who is negative) he says we cant think of another baby because of my status. We meet occasionally and have not heard sex ever since my diagnosis. I hope I will educate him on all this and convince him its possible.
Wish you all the best

camille07 · « **Reply #28 on:** December 09, 2015, 04:46:58 am »

Oh wow, I am so glad to read your joyful news to both of you!

undeniable · « **Reply #29 on:** December 30, 2015, 06:52:56 pm »

Congratulations!! I'm positive for 22 years and have a 14 year old. :-)

BT65 · « **Reply #30 on:** January 08, 2016, 05:51:00 am »

Congrats to both of you!! What wonderful news!

Betty

Shany_lee27 · « **Reply #31 on:** January 11, 2016, 08:49:34 am »

Congratulations. My daughter is almost 6 months old. I was actually diagnosed when I was getting labs during my pregnancy. She was born without any problems. Her tests have all the negative so far. Just take the medicine every day. Trrust your doctors.

Begather · « **Reply #32 on:** January 22, 2016, 01:09:41 am »

Quote from: Shany_lee27 on January 11, 2016, 08:49:34 am

Congratulations. My daughter is almost 6 months old. I was actually diagnosed when I was getting labs during my pregnancy. She was born without any problems. Her tests have all the negative so far. Just take the medicine every day. Trrust your doctors.

It is amazing. I really have not heard about it before.

lupetto · « **Reply #33 on:** January 27, 2016, 05:23:02 pm »

Karry and vivyt, so wonderful to hear you both have delivered healthy babies! Big congratulations to you both! And shany_lee as well, how nice that we have so many new moms around here.

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Author Topic: Pregnant, 40, and Worried (Read 18951 times)