Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

Recap: Gabrielle is 19 years old, pregnant with her second child and is HIV-positive. She has had a series of misfortunes. After she discovered she was pregnant two years ago and was also HIV-positive, she went to live with a relative of her child's father (who is now deceased). The relative tried to rape her. She had to move back to the country with her parents but is currently living with her new boyfriend.

Just when Gabriellethought she was through getting any more earth-shattering surprises, she hit another bump in the road. Five months ago, after what she thought was the flu, it turned out she was pregnant again.

After moving in with her boyfriend, Mark, who is also HIV-positive, Gabrielle became pregnant for the second time. She said she was not ready and this pregnancy took her by surprise, seeing that it was the one time since she has been with Mark, and she had had unprotected sex.

"I had always wanted to have three children but after I found out I was HIV-positive, I changed my mind," said Gabrielle.

Plans to get tubes tied

Gabrielle notes that she is planning on getting her tubes tied after she gives birth, regardless of the sex of the baby. However, she is hoping that this baby turns out to be a girl.

"I don't want to throw the dice again because the third one (child) may not be so lucky. Thankfully, my first child was born HIV-negative and hopefully, this one will be, too."

Nightmare

She said it is every HIV-positive pregnant woman's nightmare that their child will be born HIV-positive. She said that children who are born positive have to be protected more than those who were born without the virus. She notes that they cannot play freely outside like other children because you always have to be on your guard at all times as it relates to their safety.

"Their lives become so hard and I don't want to put my child through that kind of hardship. Plus, it is unfair for the child because being born HIV-positive is no fault of theirs."

Gabrielle told Flair that she is currently doing everything in her power to prevent her baby from being born HIV-positive.

Next week: Read about how Gabrielle could have lost her baby.

Names changed.

Send comments to: keisha.shakespeare@gleanerjm.com