# Major Factors Contributing to Positive and Negative Childbirth Experiences in Pregnant Women Living with HIV

## TL;DR

This study explores what makes childbirth experiences positive or negative for pregnant women living with HIV, highlighting factors like baby's health and healthcare support.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific factors influencing childbirth experiences among HIV-positive pregnant women, emphasizing the role of healthcare support and baby's health.

## Key findings

- Good healthcare professional support and the baby's health were key to positive childbirth experiences.
- Poor healthcare support and lack of a companion were linked to negative experiences.
- Positive childbirth experiences may reduce maternal depression and improve neonatal outcomes.

## Abstract

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.