The benefits of a woman knowing her HIV status during pregnancy include the opportunity for her to receive appropriate treatment and care for herself and to prevent transmission of the virus to her unborn baby. A further benefit is prevention of HIV transmission to partners or potential future children.
An HIV diagnosis in pregnancy requires a comprehensive multi-disciplinary approach. The development of a therapeutic relationship at this potentially vulnerable time in a woman’s life is crucial and nurses and midwives must be skilled and qualified to enable this. A therapeutic interpersonal relationship can be defined as one which is perceived by patients to encompass caring, and supportive non-judgmental behaviour, embedded in a safe environment during an often-stressful period (7).
Fortunately, in Australia, with appropriate monitoring, treatment and support the risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission is currently approximately 1.9% (3).
It is best practice to introduce a woman who is pregnant and LWHIV with a midwife and paediatric nurse with appropriate skills and knowledge, while receiving ongoing care from their primary HIV provider and nurse specialist. Throughout the pregnancy, the midwife and paediatric nurse specialist can liaise, and provide expertise on the mode of birth, modes of feeding, and the expected HIV testing protocol for the infant.