Perinatal Care for Women With Disabilities: Clinical Considerations

• Approximately 11% of women in their childbearing years are disabled and many desire children.
• Women with disabilities are at greater risk for experiencing health disparities, including decreased access to quality care and lower rates of screening for both cervical and breast cancer, and are more likely to have unmet sexual and reproductive health needs.
• Nurse practitioners and midwives must have the knowledge to provide perinatal care to women with disabilities.
• Birth for the woman with a disability should be tailored to the needs of the mother/baby dyad.

Approximately 11% of women in their childbearing years are disabled. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits 1 or more major life activities, is not regarded as transitory, and is documented in a medical or legal record. Many women who are disabled would like to have children. Nurse practitioners and midwives must have the knowledge and skills to provide perinatal care to women with disabilities. In this study we present what is known about the perinatal experience of women who experience physical, sensory, and neurologic disabilities and how health care providers can deliver competent care to disabled women. Recommendations for education and research are also made.