Women who are taking anti-retroviral (ARVs) to assist their immune system that is being compromised because of HIV/AIDS need to have all the information on family planning methods available in order to make an informed choice about becoming pregnant and about their delivery.
Misinformation on taking ARVs while pregnant could result in a woman stopping HIV/AIDS treatment for fear of harming the unborn baby, making it more difficult for the drugs to work effectively when therapy is resumed.
According to a member of staff at a local hospital that provides reproductive health services the main problem is that women still find it difficult to take up the Voluntary Counseling (VCT) making it also difficult for a pregnant woman to access the necessary information on the maintenance of drug therapy while pregnant. "A woman may have started taking ARVs secretly but the misinformation that the HIV/AIDS will deform the unborn baby encourages them to stop taking the drugs while pregnant" she said.
It is also very important for a woman to have the necessary information in order to make the choice on weather to fall pregnant or not.
Flone* has been on ARVs for over five years. Her partner for over four years who is also taking ARVs wanted to have a baby making it necessary for her to seek medical advice. "The important thing is that we were honest with each other from the beginning. We went for testing together and began taking medication. After some time we began talking about having a child and asked medical advice on what we should do". She says.
Flone was given all the information on how to continue taking her medication while pregnant and how to make sure that there is minimal risk of passing the virus to the baby.
"We looked at the options and decided that since we were both healthy and strong we would try to have a baby. The baby is now six months old and all the tests that have been taken so far have been negative," she says with a smile.
Asked if she was not afraid to take the risk, she replies, "I had all the information and I knew that there was a risk of passing the virus on to the baby but I followed all the advice that I was given. I am sure that all will be well," she adds confidently.
'The support I get from my partner is also very important as I used to think I had made a mistake sometimes while pregnant, but he would encourage me to look forward to having the baby".
There are many couples like Flone and her partner who are taking ARV therapy and would like to have a baby. Information is vital on what they should do in order to have the maximum benefit from the drugs while pregnant.
A gentleman working for a reproductive health provider says it is important for a woman to be given all the assistance to prevent pregnancy if she is HIV positive and does not want to become pregnant.
"We have to know what kind of therapy she is on so that we can advise her on which contraceptive works best with the drug she is taking. In most cases the safest and most effective contraceptive is the condom," adding that this form of contraceptive will also protect the woman from HIV of a different strain as well as protect her partner.
"This is the best family planning method and it is effective for both of them and it will protect them from further infections including Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
Information on ARVs and pregnancy will assist women in maintaining drug therapy while pregnant thus reducing and risk of noncompliance of treatment by women when they decide to become pregnant.
source : allafrica.com
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment