title: "I Owe Her So Much; Without Her I Would Be Dead": Developing a Model of Mother-Infant Bonding Following a Maternal Antenatal HIV Diagnosis.
abstract: Women can face a period of psychological vulnerability following antenatal HIV diagnosis, affecting feelings about both the pregnancy and motherhood. Our study explored the impact of being diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy on mother-infant bonding. Grounded Theory was used to assess perceived challenges and facilitating factors for mother-infant bonding for 10 mothers given an HIV diagnosis during pregnancy. Data analysis led to a model of mother-infant bonding composed of four theoretical codes: (a) facing barriers to bonding, (b) feeling disconnected from the baby, (c) developing a special bond, and (d) strengthening and moving on. Challenges with bonding emerged primarily during early stages after diagnosis and birth, with maternal resilience and positivity about the future developing as the infant HIV testing process progressed. Study recommendations include more timely information regarding vertical transmission and more targeted psychological support along with greater promotion of services to support women diagnosed with HIV antenatally.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Willcocks
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Evangeli
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zetler
authors.forename: Rosalind
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scourse
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D066296:Grounded Theory; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009769:Object Attachment; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents
keywords: HIV testing; antenatal HIV diagnosis; grounded theory; maternal HIV; mother-infant bonding; pregnancy