Your local doctor or maternity caregiver may ask if they can perform blood tests to screen for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS viruses. These may be tested for during early pregnancy, before or at the time of the
first pregnancy visit. The aim of testing for these viruses during pregnancy is to:
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Possibly commence treatments during the pregnancy and advise women about breastfeeding after the birth to reduce the chances of their baby becoming infected with the virus. This is the case for HIV/AIDS. |
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Know that the woman carries the virus so that her baby can be vaccinated soon after birth, which is possible with Hepatitis B. |
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Be aware that a woman is infected so that her baby can be tested and monitored for the virus during the first years of life. This is the case for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS. |
Screening for hepatitis B during pregnancy has become fairly standard in most countries, mainly because of the availability of the hepatitis B vaccine. However, the routine testing for Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS is becoming increasingly accepted as routine by many maternity caregivers. Be aware that these tests are not compulsory and some women do decline them if they do not wish to be tested.
Ideally, pregnant women being offered these tests should be counselled and given an opportunity to discuss the social, physical and emotional implications of receiving a possible positive result before they have the test(s).
You can read about each of these viruses and their possible impact on your pregnancy, care and your baby after the birth in:
Hepatitis during pregnancy
HIV/AIDS