Screening pregnant women to see if they have HIV will reduce the number of babies born with HIV. Women with HIV can then be offered a combination of treatment during pregnancy and birth, which will include:

• drug treatment during pregnancy and birth 
• advice about safe delivery methods
• drug treatment for baby for first few weeks after birth
• advice about safe feeding methods
• early intervention and treatment to keep the mother well.

The chance of babies becoming infected with HIV can go from 31.5 percent to less than 1 percent if it is known that a pregnant mother has HIV.

Many countries currently offer HIV screening to pregnant women. These include the United Kingdom, the United States of America and some Australian states. The Royal Australasian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommend all pregnant women are offered HIV screening at their first antenatal visit.