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    Being woman and living with HIV/AIDS in New Zealand : a feminist perspective : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Arts in Nursing at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2001) Bennett, Jillian
    HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) was first diagnosed in the early 1980s. It was constructed in the western world as a 'male disease' affecting predominately gay men. At the same time women were identified as having HIV/AIDS. They, however, have figured very minimally in the unfolding discourse surrounding HIV/AIDS. Nine New Zealand women took part in this study which explores and describes their experiences of being HIV positive. Participants described feeling 'invisible' within a 'male disease', and a sense of not being taken seriously. Participants felt they were influenced by the social construction of women with HIV, which defines them as 'carriers' of the virus to men and 'transmitters' to the 'innocent' unborn foetus. Women's role in society, and gender social and power inequalities have led these participants to believe that HIV/AIDS is experienced as a different disease for women than it is for men. Nursing discourse related to HIV/AIDS in the early 1990s supported the notion that HIV/AIDS patients were people who were deviant and/or addicted. Nurses were influenced by the social and medical construction of HIV/AIDS and many have contributed toward negative attitudes with bias and prejudice and lack of understanding. This attitude in turn has contributed negatively to the quality of care given to women with HIV/AIDS. Women's stories have yet to emerge as a significant contribution to the HIV/AIDS issue. This thesis plays a part in the beginning of that contribution.
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    When motherhood beckons : an exploration of the transition to motherhood for HIV positive women : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Philosophy, Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2010) Hinks, Amanda
    The aim of the research was to explore the transition to motherhood for women who have been diagnosed with HIV before pregnancy.Pregnancy is a time of adjustments for all women; socially psychologically and physically, the midwife has a fundamental role in supporting the woman to make a successful transition. HIV is increasing in New Zealand’s heterosexual population and with the national introduction of antenatal HIV testing midwives the diagnoses made will increase. Communities and health professionals need to hear about women’s experiences and recommendations from research about how best to provide individualised care for both mother and baby. This small research study was undertaken in 2008.Three women living in New Zealand with a positive HIV diagnosis were interviewed about their transition to motherhood. The babies of mothers in this study were aged between 3 and 18 months and the women knew their HIV diagnosis prior to pregnancy. The women spoke candidly about their experience of becoming pregnant, being pregnant and the transition to motherhood over the subsequent months of their babies’ lives. Three chapters present the themes from the women’s narratives; Chapter Four details the journey to becoming a mother. The themes identified were the desire to become a mother; “working hard for this baby”; maternal-infant attachment and “becoming a mother changes everything.” The themes in Chapter Five focus on how the women manage stigma and disclosure of their condition. The theme of managing disclosure in their personal world to family, friends and the child is identified. The maintenance of privacy and confidentiality is a theme arising from their step into the health service. In Chapter Six the theme of disempowering behaviours and perceived lack of evidence based care is discussed. The women describe how knowledge of HIV positive mothers was lacking as some health professionals queried “why aren’t you breastfeeding?” The women identified sources of support and knowledge which used to address the imbalance of power they felt whilst engaging with health professionals and wider society. In conjunction with midwives and other health professionals, the communities in which the women live are an integral component of supporting women to become mothers.