IT is an event most little girls look forward to -- having their own children in adulthood. Many of these little girls do not expect that any medical issue might prevent them from fulfilling this dream. And so it is with women living with HIV. Those who had visions of motherhood continue to feel the need to reproduce, but for many persons, the idea of women living with HIV conceiving is abhorrent.

A study conducted by the Ohio State University in 2008 found that at least one quarter of women living with HIV in that state expect pregnancy and motherhood to be part of their future. This urge seems to be stronger among women diagnosed before age 30.

The researchers noted that the findings point to a need for persons who are treating HIV-positive women to be aware that they may be struggling with decisions about motherhood. With the advent of free antiretrovirals in Jamaica and the longer survival rates, especially among women, more and more HIV-positive women are opting for motherhood.

Julianne Serovich, co-author of the Ohio State University study, noted that: "We shouldn't assume that women aren't going to become pregnant or don't want to become pregnant now that they have HIV. That's an erroneous assumption. Clinicians should be routinely discussing pregnancy with HIV-positive women of child-bearing age."

A search for comments on the 2008 study found that a significant number of persons are opposed to women living with HIV conceiving. Most comments referred to the 'selfishness' of the women.

"I think it's selfish beyond belief. When you are a parent you are supposed to put the child first. Risking your child's health just so you can be a mom is selfish. She wants to be a Mom? She can adopt a HIV-positive baby," said one respondent.

Another commented: "... it's just totally barbaric for a HIV-positive mom to want to endanger an innocent baby's life because of her own whims. She wants kids, she can get some sort of 'test-tube' baby made, because she'll get a one-way ticket to hell if she tries anything funny."

Added another: "Selfish -- yes. Let's remember, most females with HIV/AIDs got it from illicit IV drugs and high-risk sex. So we shouldn't expect much in the way or ethics."

Data from the National HIV/STI Programme Annual Report 2008 showed that in 2008, 53 per cent of all reported HIV cases in Jamaica were among women of child-bearing age. Since 2003, the number of HIV cases based on gender has shown that more women are infected.

Over the coming weeks, we will meet women who opted to become pregnant after positive diagnosis of HIV. We will also meet one who would do anything to roll back the clock of time so she can have children. We will also look at the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programme which has successfully prevented transmission of HIV in more than 95 per cent of children born to positive mothers.

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