HIV testing GRR

[shakenbake]

WHY is it every time you have a child the state requires a hiv test i know why they do but i HATE the fact they dont ever call to tell you oh btw you dont have hiv HOW hard is that they only call if you do? im sure i dont have it but the stress of not knowing is driving me batty! how hard is it to call and say all your results where fine have a good day

[femalephish]

BIG HUGS!

They don't 'require' one here, but I chose to have one when I found out I was pregnant because I had never had one before. MAN, is it stressful! I think you can call them to double check your results if it's been more than two weeks. That's what I did.

Hang in there!

[Tofu the Geek]

I don't understand how you can be required to have an HIV test? What happens if you refuse? What if you opted not to have pre-natal care while you were pregnant, how would they get you to have the test then?

[Carlin]

Wow, I didn't know this was an actual state requirement. Here, you usually get one, but it is more for the safety of the healthcare providers than anything else. I donate blood regularly, and that is always tested for HIV so not getting the results doesn't bother me. I just treated this as the same thing. I know I don't have HIV, so the test is for the protection and benefit of others, not me, therefore I have no need of confirmation of the results.

[belltree]

Well, if you don't take the test your OB or midwife will just treat you as if you have HIV including all the consequences for the birth.

I know I don't have it. I had tests done everytime I changed partners, that's what I was told to do in highschool and it seemed reasonable.

But it is the same with all other kinds of STD testing - they never believe that you don't have it.

[shakenbake]

im going to call again tomorrow and bug the crap out of them!

[JD5351]

If they don't call you, I'd think it pretty fair that it came back negative. But if you call them, they'll let you know your results.

[Norasmomma]

You can refuse any testing. I refused HIV testing because I already had tested when pg with DD, maybe it varies, but I don't think the state can force a pregnant woman to any testing. I just said I had the test it was negative signed a paper and that was that.

[Ceili]

Originally Posted by belltree

Well, if you don't take the test your OB or midwife will just treat you as if you have HIV including all the consequences for the birth.

Seriously? My midwife could care less if I had the test done. And the OB who orders my bloodwork basically asks me what tests I want. When we got to HIV I declined, she asked why, I mentioned that I'd been in a committed monogamous relationship for the past 15 years, I'd tested negative in college several times, and that there was a higher rate of false positives in pregnancy. She said okay and that was that.

[StephM76]

Originally Posted by TechnoGranola

I don't understand how you can be required to have an HIV test? What happens if you refuse? What if you opted not to have pre-natal care while you were pregnant, how would they get you to have the test then?

In my state if you refuse they will take your baby (if you birth in a hospital) and draw blood to test them for it. I am not sure what they do if you homebirth and refuse the test.

[Masel]

Is it any consolation that as an adoptive mom I was tested for HIV too. It just didn't seem that big of a deal to have it done now while pregnant. I've been in a committed relationship for many many years as well.

[MoOnFiReGlOw]

Originally Posted by StephM76

In my state if you refuse they will take your baby (if you birth in a hospital) and draw blood to test them for it. I am not sure what they do if you homebirth and refuse the test.

Do you mind saying what state you are in? That's horrible! I refused to take the HIV test and told them the same as a pp, that I had been in a committed monogamous relationship for 9 years and there was no need and they were fine with it. i came to the hospital with my birth plan which included no meds of ANY kind (including the vit K eye drops) would be given and no testing would be done. Granted they were a bit ticked when they tried to prick my guy's heel, but they were ok with it.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by belltree

Well, if you don't take the test your OB or midwife will just treat you as if you have HIV including all the consequences for the birth.

Not sure what you mean about that. I decline it and other than universal precautions (which I should hope all midwives and OBs routinely do) there has been nothing that they did to "treat" me as HIV+

What do you mean?

-Angela

[alegna]

Originally Posted by StephM76

In my state if you refuse they will take your baby (if you birth in a hospital) and draw blood to test them for it. I am not sure what they do if you homebirth and refuse the test.

This can be declined unless they have a court order. Just because they tell you they are "going to" do something, doesn't mean you have to let them.

-Angela

[eloise24]

Yeah, I declined testing as well and my MW didn't care at all!

[shakenbake]

im in texas
and my ob said i had to =-(

[filiadeluna]

^ I think your OB is BSing you. I would research it, or flat out ask him/her if it is law or if you can sign a waiver. My midwife told us it was optional, and I am in an equally conservative state (TN).

[alegna]

Originally Posted by shakenbake

im in texas
and my ob said i had to =-(

He lied. Ever consider a midwife instead?

-Angela

[rrs]

HIV testing during pregnancy in Texas is a routine with notification program, also known as opt out. This means that the patient is informed of the intervention and their right to refuse before the intervention is implemented. The provider is required to test the patient unless the patient refuses.

22 states/territories are opt out, 30 states/territories have voluntary programs, or opt in. In opt in situations, the test is not routinely offered; the patient must request it.

So, you do not HAVE to have the HIV test. You do HAVE to refuse the test if you do not want it. There is not a law that mandates HIV testing in pregnancy. However, your provider's practice may require the test. It is well within your provider's rights to refuse you service if you refuse the test.

[Norasmomma]

Yeah of all the testing I got, HIV is the only one that I had to sign my waiver and say yes I know the risks, but am not taking the test. I tested 3 years ago and it was neg, so my Dr just said to sign the paper and that was the end of it. I live in WA.

You can deny any testing, none of it is required, they cannot force anyone to take any testing. I may try to not do the GD test, but then I have to monitor my blood sugar for a week. It may just be easier to take the darn test and be sick for 3 days again:.