Display options
Cite
O'Connor-Terry C, Harris J. Pregnancy decision-making in women with physical disabilities. Disabil Health J. 2021;101176doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101176.
O'Connor-Terry, C., & Harris, J. (2021). Pregnancy decision-making in women with physical disabilities. Disability and health journal, 101176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101176
O'Connor-Terry, Carly, and Harris, John. "Pregnancy decision-making in women with physical disabilities." Disability and health journal vol. (2021): 101176. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101176
O'Connor-Terry C, Harris J. Pregnancy decision-making in women with physical disabilities. Disabil Health J. 2021 Jul 26;101176. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101176. Epub 2021 Jul 26. PMID: 34353758.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

Disabil Health J. 2021 Jul 26;101176. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101176. Epub 2021 Jul 26.

Pregnancy decision-making in women with physical disabilities.

Disability and health journal

Carly O'Connor-Terry, John Harris

Affiliations

  1. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
  2. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

PMID: 34353758 DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101176

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Women with physical disabilities experience barriers to knowledge about pregnancy and adequate reproductive healthcare, which impedes decision-making processes and negatively impacts their pregnancy planning.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to learn more about pregnancy decision-making in women with physical disabilities.

METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study utilizing semi-structured interviews with women with physical disabilities. We asked questions regarding pregnancy, parenting, reproductive health, relationships and interactions with the healthcare system. We utilized interview transcripts and notes to form a codebook regarding pregnancy and parenting decision-making, knowledge, and fears. We then organized codes into themes based on pre-existing literature regarding fertility and conceptualization of the self.

RESULTS: We completed and analyzed 16 interviews. Themes overall reflected the participants grappling with their own baseline assumptions that they were infertile, as well as managing similar assumptions from others. However, many of the participants recall an exact point where they began to contemplate the fact that having children was possible for them. Finally, disability-related parenting challenges are considered very early in pregnancy decision-making process.

CONCLUSIONS: Women with physical disabilities experience barriers to contemplating pregnancy including inadequate information on pregnancy and reproductive healthcare that affects their decision-making regarding pregnancy and parenting. All healthcare providers should talk to patients with disabilities about family planning and address possible barriers to contemplating pregnancy.

Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Parenting; Physical disability; Pregnancy; Qualitative research; Reproductive health

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors report no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Publication Types