You may be thinking about having a baby, or you may already be pregnant. You may have known about your HIV status for a long time, or you may have found out that you are living with HIV during your pregnancy. HIV is different now. With treatment, people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives as well as have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant and are HIV-positive, talk to your healthcare provider.

The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute has information on HIV testing and treatment during pregnancy, infant feeding for individuals living with HIV, and online learning modules on a variety of topics.

The Canadian HIV Pregnancy Planning Website is also a valuable website with up-to-date and expert-approved information on pregnancy planning for people living with HIV and their care providers.

Planning a Healthy Pregnancy

People living with HIV can have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.

Taking HIV medication, antiretroviral therapy (ART), is the most important thing that you can do to keep yourself healthy and to reduce the chance of spreading HIV to your baby. If a pregnant person does not take HIV medications or is not adherent to their medication, there is an estimated 15% to 30% chance that their baby will get HIV. When HIV medication is taken before and during pregnancy, during delivery, and after the baby is born, the chance of passing HIV onto your baby is less than 1%. Your baby will also receive HIV medications for the first few weeks of life and the length of treatment required is dependent on factors specific to you and your baby.

If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant and are living with HIV, talk to your healthcare provider for more information.

Below are some resources with more information on HIV and pregnancy:

Saskatchewan Infant Formula Program

HIV can be transmitted from mothers and lactating parents living with HIV to their children through breastfeeding. In Canada, it is not recommended that people living with HIV breastfeed. Even if you are on HIV medication and have a suppressed or undetectable viral load, breastfeeding is not recommended because there is still a risk of spreading HIV to your baby. Switching between breastfeeding and formula feeding (sometimes referred to as “mixed feeding”) is also not recommended and carries a higher risk of your baby getting HIV than breastfeeding alone.

Formula feeding is the safest feeding option for babies born to mothers and lactating parents living with HIV. There is no risk of passing on HIV with formula feeding.

The Saskatchewan Infant Formula Program provides free formula to all babies born to eligible mothers and lactating parents living with HIV in the province. Formula is provided free, from birth to one year of age, and can be dispensed at most pharmacies across Saskatchewan. The program also provides support related to:

  • Lactation suppression and discomfort
  • Coping with feelings related to infant feeding
  • Formula tolerance
  • Responding to people that might ask about your infant feeding choices
  • Local organizations and resources for people living with HIV

Enrollment in the Saskatchewan Infant Formula Program is encouraged during pregnancy to allow enough time for education and to confirm eligibility but can occur any time before the infant is one year of age. Referrals can be made by healthcare professionals, nurses, physicians, or by the pregnant person living with HIV to one of three Infant Formula Coordinators in the province.

For more information about the program, or to begin the enrollments process, please contact one of the Infant Formula Coordinators below:

  • Prince Albert: 1-306-765-6535
  • Saskatoon: 1-306-655-1783
  • Regina: 1-306-766-3915
Resources about formula feeding:

Sanctum 1.5

Sanctum 1.5 is a 10-bed prenatal care home in Saskatoon which supports women who are living with HIV or at high risk of contracting HIV and are at risk of having their babies apprehended at birth. Sanctum provides holistic, non-judgmental care in a safe and supportive environment that maximizes the woman’s control and dignity. They work preventatively to meet the health and social needs of women more effectively and efficiently which improves the health and wellbeing of mom, as well as baby, while also reducing the risks associated with apprehensions of infants at birth.

Mothers can enter the program at any stage of their pregnancy and will be able to return to Sanctum 1.5 from the hospital with their babies for an additional 3 months.

Referrals can be made by healthcare providers, nurses, physicians, or through self-referral anywhere in Saskatchewan. The program is not restricted to Saskatoon residents so individuals living in other cities, communities, and First Nations reserves are eligible to apply. All referrals can be completed by contacting 306-954-5035.

Referral Criteria

Individuals must be:

  • pregnant
  • a resident of Saskatchewan

  • HIV-positive or at risk of contracting HIV while pregnant

  • at risk of having their child(ren) apprehended at birth (for reasons such as substance misuse, mental health concerns, housing instability, exposure to violence, other child(ren) in care, etc.)
Sanctum 1.5 Promo Video

For more information, visit their website or contact 306-954-5035 or info@sanctumcaregroup.com.