Living the adversities of the combination of pregnancy with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

This qualitative-descriptive study aimed at identifying the problems that 10 women experienced when simultaneously facing pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. These women participated in the antenatal program of the Serviço de Assistência Especializada em DST/AIDS (Service of Specialized Care in STD/AIDS) of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data were collected in 2004, through semi-structured interviews, and submitted to content analyses. The following topics emerged: experiencing the vulnerability of pregnancy as compared to HIV/AIDS; the possibility of generating a HIV-positive child as the mothers’ main concern; HIV/AIDS and pregnancy: resulting emotional suffering. It was demonstrated that pregnancy with HIV/AIDS represented singular moments in their lives, triggering many existential challenges.