Representations and Experiences of HIV-positive Women on the Journey to Motherhood in Canada
Date
2013-10-02
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Abstract
This thesis examines issues related to reproductive decision-making, pregnancy and motherhood for women who are HIV-positive. The research is in two main areas. First I conducted a critical discourse analysis of online pregnancy advice directed to HIV-positive women in order to investigate how HIV-positive women’s pregnancies are represented. My analysis revealed that HIV-positive women’s pregnancies are framed as risky to the health of the fetus; this risk is framed as needing management in order to be considered acceptable. In the second part of my thesis research, I interviewed HIV-positive women about their experiences of choosing to become mothers. These interviews revealed HIV-positive women had diverse experiences and reinforced previous findings that no such person as the “HIV-positive mother” exists. Implications of the research, for AIDS service organizations and others, are also discussed.
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Individual and Family
Citation
Schuetz, S. (2013). Representations and Experiences of HIV-positive Women on the Journey to Motherhood in Canada (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/27634