I’m a 40-year-old mother of a two-year-old. Just a few months ago, I was wrestling with the decision on whether to have another child. As an older mom, the pressure of my biological clock was weighing heavily on me. Little did I know, I had already made that leap into pregnancy without even realizing it. Here I am, 40 and unexpectedly expecting! I never anticipated this twist in my journey, but we are incredibly grateful.
Just days after sharing our big news, I faced another surprise during this pregnancy—my second and hopefully last. On a Monday evening, while I was preparing for a virtual school board meeting, I received an unexpected call from my OBGYN’s office. Concern was evident in the nurse’s voice as she asked, “Do you have a minute?”
With my heart racing, I braced myself for what she would say after undergoing several early pregnancy tests, including the NIPT. Was something wrong with my blood sugar? Hormone levels? Or worse, the baby? Nothing could prepare me for her next words: “Your HIV test came back positive.”
My mind went blank. This had to be a mistake. I wasn’t even aware an HIV test was part of my lab work. The nurse attempted to reassure me, saying, “False positives happen, especially in pregnant women. I’ve seen it before.” However, panic surged through me. Growing up in the 80s, I had witnessed the stigma and fear surrounding HIV, and the nurse’s calm words felt inadequate against my rising anxiety.
If this wasn’t a mistake, it could change my life and my family’s forever. I was instructed to come in for further RNA nucleic acid testing the next day, and as soon as I hung up, I broke down in tears. When my husband asked what was wrong, I struggled to voice my fears. But once I collected myself, I shared the news with him. He was supportive, saying, “I’m sure it’s a mistake. We’ll get through this together.”
That evening, we began searching online for information, which thankfully brought some relief. False positive HIV results can occur, especially among pregnant women who have been pregnant before.
If you’re a pregnant woman reading this after receiving a positive HIV test, here’s some reassuring information.
Routine HIV screening typically involves two tests. The first is an antibody test for HIV1 and HIV2, which I tested negative for. The second, a fourth generation HIV test, detects both antibodies and p24 antigens, which can appear before the body produces detectable antibodies. While this test is incredibly useful, it can yield false positives in about 4 out of 1,000 cases. Furthermore, since pregnant women are frequently tested—often twice during pregnancy—the likelihood of a false positive is higher.
As I absorbed this information, I began to feel more at ease. Research confirmed that a negative HIV antibody test paired with a “reactive” fourth generation test in a low-risk individual often indicates a false positive. Just two years earlier, I had tested negative for HIV during my previous pregnancy, and my husband and I are in a committed relationship, which further eased my fears. After hours of research, I felt reassured that my results were likely incorrect.
I chose not to panic and decided to wait for the follow-up test, even though it took a week instead of the expected 2-3 days. It was a long week filled with emotional strain. I tried to maintain my normal routine, but the “what ifs” loomed large in my mind. I worried about others who might not have the same support system I did and how devastating this news could be for them. It made me realize that better education about the testing process and the potential for false positives is essential for pregnant women.
Fortunately, a week later, I received the news I had been hoping for—my initial HIV test was indeed a false positive. The relief was overwhelming.
This experience has deepened my appreciation for my loving marriage and my supportive husband. Most importantly, it reinforced the need to share stories like mine as a means of helping other moms facing similar challenges.
In the United States, approximately 3.8 million births occur annually. If each pregnant woman was tested just once, that would mean around 15,200 false positive fourth generation HIV tests every year. If this is you, I hope my story and the information provided here bring you comfort.
And yes, amidst all the anxiety, I also received the results of my NIPT test—we’re excited to announce that we’re expecting another baby boy!
If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination methods, this article may also provide valuable insights. Additionally, check out Make a Mom for expert information on this topic, and for a comprehensive resource on pregnancy and home insemination, visit Hopkins Medicine.
Search Queries:
- What to do if you receive a positive HIV test during pregnancy?
- Understanding false positive HIV tests for pregnant women.
- How common are false positive HIV tests in pregnancy?
- Resources for pregnant women experiencing HIV test anxiety.
- The significance of NIPT testing during pregnancy.
Summary:
A 40-year-old mother shares her anxiety-filled experience of receiving a false positive HIV test during her unexpected pregnancy. The article emphasizes the prevalence of false positives in pregnant women and highlights the importance of education and support for those facing similar situations. Ultimately, the mother reflects on her relief upon receiving the correct test results and the significance of sharing her story to help others.