HIV and Pregnancy- Is Vaginal Delivery a Safe and Viable Option?

HIV in children is predominantly acquired vertically. Without intervention, mother to child transmission (MTCT) has varied from 20%-40%(1). Vertical transmission of HIV can occur in utero through placental transmission, intrapartum through contact with infected birth canal secretions or postpartum through breast feeding. It is estimated that of the 30 % of babies who get infected vertically, 2 % get infected in early gestation, 3 % get infected in late gestation, 15 % get infected intrapartum and 10 % get infected via breast feeding(2). HIV transmission from infected mother to child is mainly prevented by antiretroviral drug (ARV) prophylaxis to mother and baby, replacement feeding and elective cesarean section. ARV prophylaxis acts by reducing viral loa