A Mother's Gift: Protecting Her Baby from HIV

Pregnancy with HIV: Fear and Hope

When Mercy discovered she was pregnant, she was overjoyed. But that joy turned to fear when she learned she was HIV positive during routine antenatal testing. Her first thought was: "Will my baby have HIV?"

The PMTCT Program

At Limbe Health Centre, Mercy was enrolled in Umunthu Foundation's Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) program, funded by ViiV Healthcare. The program aimed to ensure HIV-positive mothers could have HIV-negative babies.

The PMTCT counselors explained everything: how taking ART consistently during pregnancy and breastfeeding could reduce transmission risk to less than 1%, the importance of safe delivery practices, and how her baby would be tested.

A Journey of Adherence

Throughout her pregnancy, Mercy attended all her appointments. She took her ART medication faithfully, knowing that every pill protected her unborn child. The counselors provided ongoing support, addressing her fears and answering her questions.

When labor began, Mercy delivered at a health facility where staff were trained in safe delivery practices for HIV-positive mothers. Her beautiful baby boy arrived healthy and strong.

Early Infant Diagnosis

At six weeks, her son underwent Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) testing through the program. The wait for results was agonizing. When the counselor called with the news that her baby tested HIV-negative, Mercy wept with relief.

She continued taking her ART and breastfeeding safely, with regular follow-up visits. At 18 months, her son tested negative again. He was officially HIV-free.

A Healthy Family

Today, Mercy's son is a healthy, active three-year-old. Mercy continues on ART and is virally suppressed. She has become a PMTCT advocate, encouraging other HIV-positive pregnant women to access services.

"The PMTCT program gave my son life," Mercy says. "Because I had access to free treatment and counseling, my baby was born HIV-free. Every mother living with HIV should know this is possible."

Her story represents the hundreds of mothers in Blantyre who, through Umunthu Foundation's PMTCT and EID services, have been able to protect their children from HIV.