Robin, Baby Drake, and HIV
There have been some interesting and provocative comments made by viewers over the months about the pregnancy of General Hospital character Robin Scorpio, an HIV-positive young woman. These comments range from the opinion that an HIV-positive woman should not have a baby to statements like, "I suppose that baby will be allowed to live," as if Baby Drake, by virtue of being born to an HIV-positive mother, has less right to life than other babies.
I don't know what's going to happen to Robin and her baby, which is due very soon. I, for one, am hoping that Patrick and Robin have a healthy daughter. I personally don't like it when soap opera writers use the death of a baby in a storyline, so that's never welcome.
Let's look at a few facts about pregnancy in 2008 before deciding whether or not an HIV-positive woman should get pregnant, and if she does, if it's wrong for her to have the baby. HIV is not the only disease that can affect an infant. Other diseases not only can affect an infant, but they carry an elevated degree of probability depending on certain factors. Unlike HIV, these diseases can be detected by performing prenatal diagnostic tests.
What about Down's syndrome? The risk of having a child with Down's syndrome is 1/1,300 for a 25-year-old woman; at age 35, the risk increases to 1/365. At age 45, the risk of a having a child with Down's syndrome increases to 1/30. Does this mean if a woman gets married at 35, she shouldn't get pregnant? What about at 45? If the disease is discovered in pregnancy, what should the parents do?
Spina bifida is one of the most common severe birth defects, historically occurring in 1 live birth per 1000 in the United States. The rates of spina bifida are higher in Hispanics and whites of European descent than in Ashkenazi Jews, Asians, and African-Americans. Rates are also higher among mothers with certain health problems, such as diabetes. Does this mean if one is Hispanic, white of European descent or diabetic that one should avoid becoming pregnant? If the disease is discovered in pregnancy, what should the parents do?
HIV disease cannot be detected in the fetus because a baby will carry HIV antibodies that take fifteen months to disappear. With today's techniques, a baby's HIV status can now be assessed in a few months. What are the facts about HIV being transmitted to a baby by the mother? If a mother is on treatment as Robin is, the chance of her having an HIV-positive baby is 2%; if the baby is delivered by cesarean section, this rate can be reduced by 25%. A cesarean may not always be performed, however, because of the risks associated with it.
Whether or not one believes HIV women should become pregnant, they do. HIV status does not kill the maternal instinct. Whether or not one believes women past the age of 45 should become pregnant, they do. Age doesn't seem to kill the maternal instinct either. Nor does diabetes or being Hispanic.
No matter her risk category, a woman needs to be responsible and work closely with her doctor. It is not for us to tell her she should abort; it is not for us to tell her she shouldn't have gotten pregnant in the first place. These are decisions that the involved individual or individuals make, not society.
Whatever the writers on General Hospital do regarding the birth of Robin's and Patrick's daughter, we can assume it will be dramatic and based on correct medicine. Other than the drama part, the outcome is hard to predict. Like life.
Photo: ABC/Adam Larkey
Comments
Well said. Healthy babies are delivered safely every day from HIV mothers. Modern medicine can do amazing things…and this is one! Rejoice in the miracle of a new baby!
I agree as well. Very well said. I know someone who is HIV and pregnant, and it bothered me terribly until I researched it. The risk is very low..however….contracting the virus from a partner in attempt to get pregnant is what is not safe or correct. That to me is the REAL issue. JMO
Yes, you’re right, the most important thing is to be responsible.
I really hate the fact they gave a baby in the first place..I mean why do all of Jason The Robot ex girlfriends or wife in Dead Courtney all get kids but Sam….the fact that they broke up Jasam based on his wishes and wants in the manner that he wanted was enough…But then in order to make Jiz, they had Kelly Monaco character fgo through so much .It really pissed me off and the hardcore Samfans….I read that a actress is suppose to be leaving and it is hush hush..I hope it’s not Kelly Monaco I hope its Sarah Brown or Megan Ward…And to Ms Livinston to come back and play another character is stupid…I will bite for Lusam because of the lovley scenes with Greg Vaughan….But I hate how they did Kelly Monaco character from May 06 till they had the Bot’s stepmother un her over in Feb 08……Let me see they have Dead Courtney, The Nurse Ho and now Robing the boring loved character for some reason …What do they all have in common…Jason exes…But Sam the character who wanted a baby a long time ago never got a child….I’m so done with this show ..I just watch the videos and watch all the messageboards…………Steve
Burton and the writers ruin this show..And the fact that Jason and Sam will never get back togther just killed me..I’m loving Lusam but I want my favorite with a child like the rest of the Bots girls…A Spencer Cassidine baby will be fine!!!!!!
I love that Robin a really good person finally getting her real soulmate Patrick and their baby.
Robin’s baby is no different than any baby.
Every pregnancy and birth could have difficulties. I love the positive aspect that the baby is fine. I rather see a couple like Patrick and Robin deal with pressures of balancing marriage, raising a child and time for their relationship and how they make it work.
Soaps need to show positive and this couple, Robin/Patrick should be the ones to show how you can have it all with love and committment.
Love the almost wedding and birth. Great job by Kimberly and JT
They need to give Sam a healthy baby, she can still be an adventure person, like Robins mom Ms Scorpio.
I think the show has been very responsible about Robin’s HIV pregnancy, they have been more than obvious about bringing out all the facts & stats if the situation were real.I was more distressed that they had a very pregnant Robin in a wedding dress getting married in a church, now that smacked of poor taste and sending the wrong message! They could have showed a little shame & modesty by having them run off and get married privately , not flaunting that big belly in a white dress!
But then again GH has never had much good taste and certainly NO modesty of any sort should be renamed General Boobital
I had a problem with the wedding as well. I thought it was in poor taste being 9 months pregnant walking down the aisle. That said, Robin was Gorgeous that day. YES there are risks with every pregnancy, it depends on BOTH people if the risk is not important so they can conceive a child. I do NOT think GH writers addressed the HIV pregnancy well at all. More facts should be disclosed about contacting, recontacting, follow ups, etc.. none of this has been acknowledge yet……
I love the fact that Robin is having a baby. I have enjoyed watching her for so many years. That said, I wish they would have tapped in more to the Jason/Robin old flame feelings. Robin lived in Paris and specialized in Jason’s illness for goodness sake..that does not go away! And I am so ready for Jason reunion…I hate Liz! I hate Sam and Lucky together!
my mum n step dad r thinkin about havin another kid but my step dad has got hiv will my mum n the unborn child get it ?
what is the chance that there wont get it n what is the chance there will ?
Did Robin and her Husband have intercource on the show to have baby. Is there a risk for him if he’s negative ? I’m sorry did not follow story .
I think Robin and Patrick deserve baby Emma. Robin’s character lost so much early on – (Stone, her mother, her father, her grandmother) She deserves so much happiness.