What Did You Expect While You Were Expecting?

Andrea Williams, Brooklyn, N.Y., Diagnosed in 1993; Mom of three daughters

I wish I had known how stressful carrying a baby while HIV positive would be on my body. Before my pregnancy I had never taken medication. During my pregnancy I took meds to help stop the transmission of HIV to my child. Two months after my pregnancy I was given an AIDS diagnosis. I had become very anemic and developed severe fatigue. I had no idea that my bundle of joy would completely wipe me out and leave me in a position where I could barely care for her. There was also the emotional stress of accepting the fact that my baby could possibly be born HIV positive. The whole ninth month of my pregnancy I couldn't sleep; I worried about my baby's health, not mine. Thankfully, she was born HIV negative and I was able to regain my health. It's almost 16 years later and I am planning her sweet 16 party. I now know that I was blessed to be able to have my daughter, and would do it again.