Ylva Holstad

I defended my PhD in February 2026 with the dissertation “Childbirth and Parenthood in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease: Register Studies and Perspectives from Parents and Midwives.” The dissertation includes four studies. In two register-based studies, I investigated self-rated health and breastfeeding rates among women with congenital heart disease. In the two qualitative studies, I explored experiences of parenthood among adults with congenital heart disease and how midwives describe their role when caring for women with congenital heart disease who are giving birth.

I obtained my midwifery degree in the spring of 2015, and in my clinical work I have primarily worked in labour and postpartum care. As a clinical midwife, I am particularly interested in complicated births, where effective teamwork is crucial for a safe and positive childbirth experience. Supervising midwifery students is another important focus in my clinical work.