Andréa Paula de Azevedo

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the opinions of pregnant women living with HIV (PWLWHIV) about their positive childbirth experiences and the most important factors contributing to positive or negative experiences. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 82 PWLWHIV; semi-structured interviews were conducted in a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro. Results: A total of 65 (79.3%) PWLWHIV experienced a positive childbirth experience. Conversely, 14 (17.1%) PWLWHIV had a negative experience. The main reasons given by the PWLWHIV for positive experiences were the good health of the baby, their partner’s presence at the childbirth, and good healthcare professional support. The main reasons for negative childbirth experiences were poor healthcare professional support, excessive pain or medication, and the absence of a companion during childbirth. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the health of the baby at birth was the main factor in positive childbirth experiences. On the other hand, poor healthcare professional support was the main cause of negative childbirth experiences. Increasing the incidence of positive childbirth experiences could reduce maternal depression and anxiety, and significantly impact neonatal outcomes (mainly low birth weights and preterm birth). Future studies should target reducing depressive symptoms in perinatal HIV-positive women, increasing partner involvement, and decreasing HIV stigma.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the childbirth satisfaction of pregnant women living with HIV virus (PWLWHIV) and its association with selected variables in order to improve it. Methods: A total of 82 PWLWHIV were interviewed at an Institute in Rio de Janeiro. Maternal satisfaction was measured using the Brazilian version of the Mackey Childbirth Satisfaction Rating Scale, which was translated to Brazilian Portuguese by Lopes, who validated the translated version. The Mackey scale is divided into six subscales: self-evaluation, partner, baby, midwives, doctors, and overall satisfaction. Results: The PWLWHIV experienced a good total childbirth satisfaction (score 133 out of 165) and good overall childbirth satisfaction (score 12 out of 15). The PWLWHIV also experienced a good self-satisfaction (score 37.3 out of 45), good satisfaction with partner (score 8.96 out of 10), good satisfaction with midwives (score 35.1 out of 45), and good satisfaction with doctors (score 31.2 out of 45). The PWLWHIV also experienced satisfaction with their babies (score 8.48 out of 10). Significant associations were found through univariable and multiple regression analysis, regarding complications with baby at birth (p < 0.001) on the total, overall, self, partner, midwife, and doctor subscales. Conclusions: PWLWHIV had a positive experience at childbirth in the public maternities units of Rio de Janeiro. Our findings indicate that complications regarding baby health at birth were the main factor associated with a negative experience.

OBJECTIVE: Understand and explore the childbirth experiences of pregnant women living with HIV (PWLWHIV). With the advent of several measures to decrease the intrapartum HIV infection and a strong emphasis on the humanization of childbirth, there is a growing focus on providing positive childbirth experiences for pregnant women. Indeed, a positive childbirth experience is even more important in the group of pregnant women living with HIV (PWLWHIV) as it plays a pivotal role in enhancing the mother’s adherence to her postpartum treatment and the newborn’s engagement in Infectious Disease services. METHODOLOGY: A scoping review was conducted. Searches were performed on databases, such as MEDLINE, PUBMED, WEB OF SCIENCE and Cochrane Library, using the following keywords: childbirth, birth, parturition, HIV, humaniz*, perceived safety, experience, maternal satisfaction, healthcare professional and midwi*. Articles meeting pre-established criteria were selected within the timeframe of 2013 to 2023 for inclusion in the review. RESULTS: Out of a total of 2,340,391 articles, 4 were chosen based on our defined criteria. Three primary themes emerged from the selected articles: the assessment of childbirth experience quality, vulnerability and autonomy. CONCLUSIONS: The four studies identified had a small sample size and were not adequately conducted with a specific focus on studying the childbirth experience of pregnant women living with HIV (PWLWHIV). This scoping review revealed a gap in the existing literature, indicating a need for further research and clarification in the identified area.