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Washington University and Project ARK Perinatal HIV Services are for women who are in any stage of pregnancy and are infected or affected by HIV. We are a multidisciplinary group of physicians, nurses, and social workers who provide testing, care, and consultation.
“Our main goal is to give every family the same opportunity and access to care and research, regardless of their social and financial circumstances.” – Kim Donica, Executive Director
First Steps
Early in your pregnancy or planning pregnancy: Let your HIV provider know you are planning pregnancy in case any of your medications need to be adjusted. Call to make an appointment with OB/GYN, either here at BJH/Washington University or with your current obstetrician.
In the middle of pregnancy: If you are in the middle of your pregnancy, more than 5 months along, call for an urgent appointment with infectious disease (within 1-2 weeks) and your obstetrician or Barnes-Jewish Hospital Clinic.
Within 2 months of due date: If you are within 2 months of your due date and you have not been in care, call your doctors for an emergency appointment, or come to the pregnancy assessment center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, for evaluation. Time is critical to getting the medication that you need to take to protect your baby.
Your partner has HIV: If your partner has HIV and you would like to become pregnant, call to make an appointment with your gynecologist or call our OB/GYN clinic for a provider.
Services/what we offer
- Transportation to and from appointments
- Medications mailed to your home
- Education about medications and HIV
- Education about HIV and pregnancy
- Linkage to resources such as housing, utilities assistance
- Assistance with Medicaid applications
- Referrals to Crisis Nursery for child care when mom is hospitalized
- Dental referrals
- Food outreach referrals
- Parenting classes
- Help telling your partner about your status
Elizabeth – Boston, MA. Living with HIV since 2001. “HIV, you’re part of my life, but with treatment, you’re not my entire life.”
For a while, taking my meds was just a negative reminder that I had HIV. From time to time, I stopped treatment. I shouldn’t have. Each time, my health would suffer. With the help of a great doctor, I came to understand that consistent medication and care were essential to living well with HIV. HIV is part of my life, but so is HIV treatment. Being in care lets me be here for my kids, my grandkids, my furry best friend, and hopefully one day, my great-grandkids.
Malina – Bronx, NY. Living with HIV since 2010.”By managing you, HIV, I can devote all my time and energy to my son.”
The moment I received my HIV diagnosis, negative thoughts rushed through my mind. Have I passed it on to my infant son? Will I live to raise him? Can I have more children? Like many people, I didn’t know a lot about HIV. But with time, the right doctor, the right medicine, and a strong support group, I discovered that I could live a full life. I’m on treatment, my son is HIV-negative, and we’re both healthy and living well with the love of our family and friends.
Sharmain- Memphis, TN. Born with HIV in 1990.”I may have gotten you, HIV. But you will never, ever get the best of me.”
I was diagnosed with HIV when I was just 4 months old. I do everything in my power to take good care of my health and keep from passing the virus on to my baby. The best chance of my son being born without HIV is for me to take my medicine every day. He’s my motivation. Being in care and staying on treatment means my baby has a 99% chance of being born HIV-free.