Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Getting Pregnant with HIV-Positive Husband | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
My husband is HIV positive. He has had the virus for almost 13 years and does not show any signs of developing AIDS--all his tests have been coming back with no problems. The last viral load that was done came back as being undetectable (which, of course, can change at any time).
But I'm curious about several things: Can my husband's sperm be washed of the virus and used for in vitro fertilization (IVF)? If my tubes are blocked because of serious scarring I got from an infection at age 18, is it possible for me to even undergo in vitro fertilization? And if IVF isn't advisable for us, what other options do we have?— Kingko in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island | | | ANSWER |
December 4, 2001 | | | Dear Kingko,
You've posed some great questions. I understand that some fertility programs are washing sperm and using it to help couples in which the man is HIV positive and the woman is not. You would need to check with a fertility specialist to see if this service is available in your area.
Once the sperm are treated, they can be used for regular insemination or for in vitro fertilization (or IVF). If your tubes really are obstructed, IVF would be your best chance to conceive.
It sounds to me like your next step should be a consultation with a fertility specialist who provides IVF services. To find such an expert, ask your gynecologist or family doctor for a referral, or check the American Society for Reproductive Medicine website at www.asrm.org. Good luck to you!— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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