What is the main goal of ART during pregnancy for HIV-positive women?

The primary goal of antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy for HIV-positive women is to prevent transmission of the virus to the child. This is crucial because without appropriate treatment, the risk of transmitting HIV from mother to child can be significant during pregnancy, labor, or breastfeeding. By effectively managing the mother's HIV infection with ART, the viral load can be reduced to undetectable levels, substantially minimizing the chances of the virus being passed to the baby.

The other options, while they may touch on aspects of care for HIV-positive pregnant women, do not encapsulate the main objective of ART in this specific context. Relieving symptoms and enhancing the mother's immune system are important for overall health, but the central focus during pregnancy is on protecting the child from HIV infection. Ensuring a baby is born HIV-positive is not a goal of ART; rather, the intent is to achieve the opposite outcome, which is to ensure the baby is born HIV-negative.