HIV and Reproductive Health & Parenthood
Why is reproductive health and parenthood in Black women important to address?
The reproductive health of Black women has consistently been jeopardized by racist, sexist and discriminatory health practices. There have long been huge disparities in maternal outcomes for Black women, even in Canada. However, a lack of data (Canada doesn’t usually collect race-based data, except now in prenatal appointment forms) makes it difficult for us to see the severity.
Dr Joia Crear-Perry asserts that racism, not race, puts Black women at risk in maternal health care, which is scary and frustrating because this is beyond women’s control. Black women have committed to labour to ensure their needs and wants are met in these spaces.
What are Black women doing in maternal health spaces to be heard?
Check out our self-advocacy page for some information about how to advocate for yourself in healthcare settings.
Pregnancy, Childbirth & Post-Natal
Pregnancy
Pregnancy planning is important!
Pregnant women in Ontario are offered testing for HIV, rubella, syphilis and hepatitis B as part of their pre-natal care. Getting tested for HIV, STIs and STDs is important to know your status. Treatment can ensure the health of you and your baby.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or considering getting pregnant as you’ll need to start HIV treatment, if not already taking it, or you may need to change your HIV treatment if you already are.
If diagnosed early, you can receive treatment for themselves and their babies to lower the chance of your baby being HIV-positive. If you start HIV treatment before pregnancy and maintain an undetectable viral load before becoming pregnant and throughout pregnancy, your baby will not be born with HIV.
With prenatal testing and treatment, fewer than 2% of babies born to women living with HIV are infected.
If you have more questions, contact your doctor or find your local public health unit here.
Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy
Looking for more information about pregnancy planning for people living with HIV in Canada? Visit Canadian HIV Pregnancy Planning Website where you’ll find Canadian HIV Pregnancy Planning Guidelines.
Also, check out this document by Hive, a hub of positive reproductive & sexual health information that outlines 9 ways to prepare for a healthy pregnancy.
Growing Your Family
CATIE has designed an introductory toolkit for people living with HIV who are planning to have a baby. Growing Your Family has information about getting pregnant, adoption and surrogacy.
You may also check out the Preventing HIV during pregnancy and breastfeeding in the context of PrEP Booklet if you are using PrEP in your prevention measures.
Childbirth
Research shows that parents living with HIV who are taking treatment to maintain an undetectable viral load throughout pregnancy and birth do not transmit HIV to their baby during pregnancy and delivery.
Vaginal births are usually recommended, unless the person giving birth has a viral load greater than 1000 copies/mL, where C-sections are recommended.
Do you have questions about birth injuries? Check out the Birth Injury Justice Center’s informative resources on birth injuries in newborns.
Post-Natal
Canadian guidelines recommend mothers living with HIV formula feed their babies, but do you know why?
Breastmilk contains nutrients and protection from immune cells. HIV infects immune cells to make more HIV. You can lower the amount of HIV in your blood and breastmilk by regularly taking ARV medication to lower your viral load. Medications, however, cannot change your cell associated virus. There is still a risk of transmitting HIV through breastmilk.
The OHTN captures this in an informative video about transmission & breastfeeding here.
Cabergoline is a medication that helps to stop breast milk from coming in, if you choose to formula feed your baby. Learn more about Cabergoline here.
HIV & Parenthood
FAQs
Does a mother living with HIV have to disclose their status to their children?
This is up to you!
If you are curious, or looking for support and insight in disclosing to your family, check out the Teresa Group’s a booklet and podcast about disclosure here. Scroll down to see videos of Black women’s experiences and considerations when disclosing to children.
Does being a mother living with HIV warrant the involvement of child protection services?
No. Your HIV-positive status alone is not a reason for a child protection service to be called. As a mother, you have a right to care for your children and family. Scroll down to see more information about interactions with child welfare.
Our Favourite Parenthood Resources
Black Mamas Matter Alliance
Black Mamas Matter Alliance is a women-led organization that centers around Black mamas and maternal & reproductive health. Black Mamas Matter also hosts Black Maternal Health Week, a campaign to raise awareness to the need for policy change around Black maternal and reproductive health.
BMMA shares educational toolkits, hosts and attends events, helps connect Black Moms to each other and makes products for babies and Moms.
The Teresa Group
The Teresa Group is a Toronto community-based charitable organization that provides support to local children and families affected by HIV/AIDS.
The Teresa Group has a family support program that offers practical assistance support such as a Welcome Home baby bag, diapers for infants 0-2 years old, free infant formula for a year to all HIV+ new mothers in Ontario, and public transit tokens.
Mommy Monitor
Mommy Monitor Incorporated is a social enterprise offering maternal health support, educations, programs and services to support Black motherhood.
Monitor Mommy offers Birth Justice workshops, free doula services to Black mothers in Ontario, is building a database of Black birth workers and clinicians and offers free mental health support for Black parents and so much more.
Interactions with Child Welfare
Things to Know:
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This can be difficult and will require support.
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This is not their decision to make.
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This goes for healthcare workers also.
Featured Stories
Kids Meet a Person Living with HIV | Kids Meet - HiHo Kids
HiHo Kids brings in Trinisha, a woman living with HIV, who was born with HIV and told when she was 7 years old, to discuss HIV. The conversation brings in some insight about how to talk to kids about HIV. The kids ask really good questions about discrimination, stigma, disclosure, dating, family planning and mental health.
HIV & Children: Should I tell them? It gets a little emotional - Nozibele Qamngana
In an emotional personal story of her cousin’s passing and taking in her cousin’s children, Nozibele talks about the challenge of talking about HIV with children.