According to an Ohio State University study, around one in four women living with HIV want to become pregnant, reports Asian News International (ANI)/Thaindian News (thaindian.com, 2/26). In addition, researchers found that nearly 40 percent of positive women aged 30 and younger expressed interest in bearing children, while 11 percent of women over 30 in the study wanted to become pregnant.
These findings were part of a larger study on women’s HIV disclosure decisions and mental health. As part of that study, OSU researchers asked 74 women with HIV about their desire to have children based on factors such as fear of transmission to their child or adverse effects on their own health.
ANI also reports that positive women with the most negative self-image following their diagnosis were also the least likely to want to become pregnant.
NEW! Scroll down to comment on this story.
Please click OK to confirm your comment and confirm you accept our posting rules. Note your message will be reviewed by our staff before going live.
Previous Comments:
comments 1 - 7 (of 7 total)
NEKA, HOUSTON, 2008-02-29 10:44:53
I am a 34 yr old HIV+ woman with one son soon to be 2. When I found out I was pregnant in 1993 I lost the desire to have a child of my own. Scared I would pass it on and my child growing up with a problem just didn't sit well with me. I lost friends, pushed away friends, and didn't want any more around me to have to share the news with. That's where "my" desire to have a child came in. My son is (-) healthy and active. I encourage HIV+ women to consider having ANY joy in their life.
Carleton, Bronx, 2008-02-29 09:06:26
Knowledge is power but only good only if we have faith and believe in what's true and that is to allow ourselves not to fear being educated.I am a witness to this experience as I have been living HIV/AIDS since 1985 and my significant other since 1996.We have a 17mth yr old that is negative.This came as a result of being educated and taking all the subjested and recommended steps and guidelines.Fear is a strong feeling and emotion but knowledge and faith is stronger.
Richard V, Kansas City, 2008-02-29 01:40:45
I'm a guy who was informed I was poz 20 years, on that day the first thing to come out of my out mouth was... you mean I not going to have kids?
I don't have for fear of infecting the woman who would carry the child. I'm 50 years old now and this is and has been one of my strongest desires, there have been days I've cryed when I think about forfilling my wish for childern. I can only imagine the desire has to be stronger for a women. God bless thoughs that do decided to become parents.
Will, Oakland, 2008-02-28 23:34:32
I think it's okay. I know as a guy living with HIV for 15+yrs I wanted to have my own children but now I cannot. I wish I could. My family wants me to carry the family name and I cannot nor will I tell them why. So good for the women who want to have children.
maria, , 2008-02-28 20:57:02
I am 27 and have been positive since 1997. My husband (also positive) and I, after meeting on poz personals 3 years ago, are expecting our first baby any day now and are very excited. I admit I was a little nervous but I have faith in medicine and science and we've done everything we can to make sure our baby will not contract the virus. I believe that having HIV shouldn't stop me from living my life to the fullest and having children is part of that dream.
angela staples, Columbia S.C, 2008-02-28 16:13:20
I have been Hiv poz for 16 years and had two daughters that didn't have the virus. Their ages are fourteen and twelve years of age. I don't regrett the decision that I made. I always wanted to have children. So my husband and I prayed about it and walk by faith that God would keep them cover in my womb. When i told my story in 1999 at an Hiv conference. Two years later I meant four women that I did not know , but was at that meeting came up to me and say that my faith inspired them to have ch
Patrick, NYC, 2008-02-28 13:30:48
It would be interesting to know about positive men too? I would love to be a father, and that was my first thought when I learned I was poz. I thought it impossible, I already know different. Any healthy poz women that would like to have a baby Can contact me if they would be interested in having a baby with me too. I am otherwise healthy and vl is ud and cd4s 810. you can contact me at pb62075ataol.com. I already know a medical center that can do it here in NYC.
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
Woman of the Month is supported by exclusive advertising from Gilead.
Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
