World AIDS day was on 1st December. Screening and support for women in pregnancy has lowered rates. The article shares new guidelines from the British HIV Association to help maternity teams keep abreast of changes to ensure women and babies are supported appropriately.
World AIDS Day, observed annually on 1st December, is a global opportunity to unite in recognition of the need to fight the disease, the stigma around it, support those living with the virus, and remember those lost to AIDS-related illnesses. In particular the impact on those who are pregnant is profound.
In summary, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), making it harder for the body to fight off infections. If left untreated, HIV can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). However, with advances in treatment and awareness, many people living with HIV lead long, healthy lives, including starting families.
It is suggested that world-wide, an estimated 40.8 million people live with the virus with 1.3million becoming infected in 2024 (UNAIDS). In the UK, more than 108,000 people are living with HIV, over a third of whom are women. Half of people on treatment for the disease acquired this through heterosexual sex (National AIDS Trust). The impact on women has been rising in recent years, affecting those from Black African origins in particular (UK Health Security Agency).
However, the numbers of women living with HIV during pregnancy has been steadily falling in the UK in recent years (Gov.UK), as a result of screening and more effective treatment. Dr Laura Byrne, HIV Consultant and pregnancy lead at the British HIV Association (BHIVA) said:
“The highly successful Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy Screening programme offers opt-out testing for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B to all pregnant women with very high uptake. This means that those who unknowingly have one of these infections can be treated before the birth of their child. The rate of vertical transmission of HIV to babies is now very low in the UK, as a result of both screening and effective antiretroviral treatment”.
She goes on to say BHIVA has updated their guidelines to reflect changes in preconception prevention, screening and therapies, with more detailed information on infant feeding.
“The BHIVA guidelines on the management of HIV in pregnancy and the postpartum period have been revised and completely updated for 2025 to reflect the impact of the transformational antiretroviral treatment now available. We focus on the holistic health and wellbeing of pregnant women/people living with HIV to ensure they have access to the best treatment for their own health, as well as for protecting their babies. We are now better able to tailor treatment to give women/people as many options as possible during their pregnancy, giving birth, and beyond.”
Angelina Namiba is a founder member of the 4M Network of Mentor Mothers living with HIV ( www.4mmm.org), which is an organisation committed to providing services that complement those provided by health and social care services. She is herself a mother living with HIV, giving her an insight into how best to support others.
She said: “As women living with HIV we welcome the breadth of the new BHIVA guidelines, offering a tailored approach to enabling pregnant women/people living with HIV to access treatment, care and support. Importantly the guidelines acknowledge sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly in giving choices and options around delivery and feeding of our infants, as well as vital access to peer support, which is crucial during this time and beyond pregnancy.”
The guidelines are a resource for maternity health professionals to inform and as they support women becoming pregnant and navigating a diagnosis of HIV. The BHIVA guidelines on the management of HIV in pregnancy and the postpartum period 2025 is available here: https://bhiva.org/clinical-guideline/pregnancy-guidelines/
Key Messages for World AIDS Day
1. HIV is not a barrier to a healthy pregnancy and family life when managed with modern treatment.
2. Regular testing, early diagnosis, and ongoing medical care are essential for all expectant mothers.
3. Support, empathy, and education help break the stigma and empower women living with HIV.
BHIVA
December 2025