Miracle Moms

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Getting pregnant without infecting a partner is the first obstacle for those women. Some, like Kelli Hughes, use artificial insemination, while others opt to have unprotected sex when their viral load--or measure of the virus in their bloodstream--is low. During the first trimester of pregnancy, the women take a break from any antiretroviral drugs they may have been taking so that the fetus is not exposed during this critical developmental window. But drug treatment is resumed or begun in the second trimester and continued through the end of the pregnancy. At the time of delivery and for six weeks afterward, the newborn is given AZT every six hours. "As long as those procedures are followed, the risk of transmission is very low," says Deville. "In fact, we have not seen a single case of mother-to-child infection."

Although there are as yet no long-term studies of children who have undergone the treatment, the benefits appear to greatly outweigh the risks. According to the CDC, antiretroviral-drug therapy can lead to premature birth or mitochondrial misfunction, a lethal defect, but such problems are extremely rare.

The Hugheses have taken some criticism for their decision to have children when Kelli's life expectancy is uncertain, but they are confident that they have made the right choice. And they are quick to point out that there's no guarantee any mother will be around to see a child grow up.