What counseling interventions should be included in primary care?
All women of childbearing age should receive the benefit of preconceptional counseling as part of routine primary medical care (ACOG, 1995). Women who have HIV should also be counseled about: • The impact of HIV on the course and outcome of pregnancy • The impact of pregnancy on HIV progression • Appropriate contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies • Perinatal transmission risks, including strategies to reduce the risk of perinatal transmission • Permanency planning (guardian issues for children) What primary care interventions are appropriate for women with HIV who want to become pregnant? Certain measures can help facilitate a successful pregnancy if a woman with HIV wants to become pregnant: • Institute routine preconceptional care such as genetic screening, screening for STDs, PAP smear, and initiation of folic acid supplementation. • For women already on antiretroviral therapy (ART) or who have indications for therapy, ensure that medications are not contraindicated in preg
