HIV Test?

emmerstar · January 2011

My sister-in-law is about 30 weeks and I'm almost 36. She told me that she had to get a second HIV test this week and that it was a law in Maryland that you get 2 HIV tests during your pregnancy?? I haven't heard about this and I wasn't tested twice. Does anyone know anything about that?

Scout05 · January 2011

Each state has different requirements. Are you also in Maryland? If so, it sounds like a question for your OB.

Here, it is required once. If the mother refuses, the hospital will test the baby after delivery and they do not need consent to do so.

MimiUVIbride · January 2011

I had a 2nd HIV test at my 35 week appt this week. I was told that they take it in the beginning and at the end of your pregnancy just to be extra careful. I wasn't told that it was a law for NJ.

CutieBean79 · January 2011

I'm in FL and told that it is required once - in the beginning of the pregnancy. At the end of the pregnancy you can refuse it, but if you do then your baby will be tested for it at the hospital and they don't need your consent. I was tested the second time with the glucose tolerance test bloodwork at 28 weeks. I would ask your OB to see if it's something you can take care of now instead of putting your baby through it later.

MrsCarroll.6-10-07 · January 2011

CutieBean79:
I'm in FL and told that it is required once - in the beginning of the pregnancy. At the end of the pregnancy you can refuse it, but if you do then your baby will be tested for it at the hospital and they don't need your consent. I was tested the second time with the glucose tolerance test bloodwork at 28 weeks. I would ask your OB to see if it's something you can take care of now instead of putting your baby through it later.

Me too, exactly! I asked my doctor "WTF, I did these tests already?" and he said that because of some groups of women (I won't use the name he called them) they are required to test you twice to make sure the baby isn't born with any STDs or to be able to treat it accurately from the beginning if they are.

emmerstar · January 2011

That's a good idea. Thanks.

Not that I'm worried about the HIV test - I would just be worried if I thought my OB was forgetting anything, you know?

FASHIONISHA · January 2011

I don't know if 2 are a requirement in NC but I had one early in my pregnancy and then another one at around 28 weeks (when they also tested for STDs)

flhokie · January 2011

I was given the option of declining the test at the beginning of my pregnancy and at the beginning of 3rd trimester. I was told that FL law calls for the testing, but you have the right to decline each time (just signing a form saying that you don't want to be tested).

I just did a search to see about the newborn test since this was never mentioned at my dr.--can't find anything in FL law that says that newborns have to be tested for HIV (even if the mother refuses during pregnancy).

missstacylynn25 · January 2011

I live in Maryland and go to a "well-rated" practice. I haven't had any HIV tests....or heard of having to have one...but who knows....

SNL0605 · January 2011

missstacylynn25:
I live in Maryland and go to a "well-rated" practice. I haven't had any HIV tests....or heard of having to have one...but who knows....

I'd be willing to bet big money you HAVE had an HIV test...you probably didn't know it was mixed into all the other blood work they did.

rebeckalyn81 · January 2011

Yes, I was told at my last appt that I will have blood work, including another HIV test, at approx 35 weeks per Maryland law.

reaustin18 · January 2011

I also live in Maryland and I have never heard this. I have not been tested at my drs office and haven't been told I would be.

rebeckalyn81 · January 2011

This has been bothering me since last night, because I know I received information from my OB at some point. Plus, I have off today and I'm kind of bored...

For those interested, from the info I received: It is Maryland law that your doctor MUST talk to you about HIV and offer you an HIV test as part of your prenatal care. It is highly recommended that this test be part of your routine prenatal care. However, women cannot receive any penalty if they opt out of testing. As part of my original paperwork at my OB's office, I signed a consent to have the test with my initial bloodwork and again at 36 weeks.

"House Bill 991 / Senate Bill 826 (HIV Testing ? Informed Consent and Treatment) was enacted. This legislation will move Maryland substantially into conformance with CDC Guidelines on HIV Testing in Health Care Settings. The bill removes the requirement of specific written informed consent for HIV testing and moves to an ?opt-out? framework that is consistent with consent for other diagnostic testing. It also provides for the testing of all pregnant women (with opt-out rights) presenting for prenatal care and again at the third trimester if appropriate." (https://www.mdaap.org/pdfs/2008%20Legislative%20Report.pdf)

There is a current push (not sure by who exactly- Google wasn't giving me much) to add an addendum to the bill making testing mandatory.

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