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In the past if you were HIV positive and going to have a baby there was a very high chance the child would also become infected. But that's totally different now because of medical advances and a blood screening programme for all pregnant women. BBC Newsline's Tara Mills has been finding out more about these developments.

When screening was introduced five years ago doctors expected one or two cases a year. Instead they've had over thirty. Add to that the number of women who already knew they were HIV positive and the number of babies born reaches almost 60.

Doctors are delighted they're reducing the spread of the virus and say the screening programme is key to prevention.

It's a lot to take in for any pregnant woman and nurses admit it's an extremely difficult time to deal with emotionally. On top of everything else you have to cope with the taboo that surrounds HIV.