Mx VerdaAug 12, 2025
I just realised I have no idea what disability / cisability aides exist for maternity tasks but then came across this threateningly named page https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/you-are-pregnant
Show threadMx Verda

Omfg. Read section 3.4 "Learning Disabilities support" on page 5. Literally everyone will be helped by these suggestions, not just diagnosed disabled people.
https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Women-with-Disabilities-and-Special-Needs-Guideline.pdf
"3.4 Learning Disabilities support
Although 7% of people with learning disabilities become parents ( Best Beginnings) the Equality Act 2010 obligates responsibility to service providers to ensure that reasonable adjustments are put into place to ensure the holistic needs of people with learning disabilities are met to the highest standards.
Remember to think VALUE ME! (Appendix 1)

1. Early intervention strategies should be considered. Ensure that the community midwife is involved and if they are under 20 consider discussion with the specialist teenage pregnancy midwife for additional support.
2. Professionals should ensure that adequate time is provided for consultations, appointments and formal discussions. Taking time to allow the woman to understand the information in
order to make an informed decision.
3. Professionals should ensure that reasonable adjustments are put into place to aid with understanding. Including: easy read, pictorials, large font, visual and hearing aids.
4. Abilities led practice rather than inabilities led practice. Professionals should avoid making assumptions based on a diagnosis of a learning disability as often mothers will have their own anxieties, fears and worries regarding motherhood.
5. Avoid assuming that mothers are being difficult. Consider other possible reasons such as the environment, loud noises, bright lights (especially if they have a dual diagnosis of learning disability and ASD), sensory needs, stress and anxiety. Provide a side room if possible."

#maternity #pregnancy #ObGyn #Obstetrics #pregnant #nativity #disabled #DisabledJoy #DisabledFedi #disability #MedMastodon #med #meds #medicine #medical

Aug 12, 2025 at 5:21amWeb
Show threadMx VerdaAug 12, 2025

"'Women with disability: the experience of maternity care during pregnancy, labour and birth and the postnatal period'. Published: 13 September 2013.

Maggie Redshaw, Reem Malouf, Haiyan Gao & Ron Gray. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth volume 13, Article number: 174 (2013). 43k Accesses, 152 Citations, 34 Altmetric."

Sounds upsettingly plausible to me, pals.
https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2393-13-174

"Abstract. Background
It has been estimated that 9.4% of women giving birth in the United Kingdom have one or more limiting longstanding illness which may cause disability, affecting pregnancy, birth and early parenting. No large scale studies on a nationally representative population have been carried out on the maternity experiences of disabled women to our knowledge.

Method
Secondary analysis of data from a survey of women in 2010 by English National Health Service Trusts on behalf of the Care Quality Commission was undertaken. 144 trusts in England took part in the postal survey.
Women self-identified with disability and were excluded if less than 16 years of age or if their baby had died. The 12 page structured questionnaire with sections on antenatal, labour and birth and postnatal care covered access, information, communication and choice. Descriptive and adjusted analyses compared disabled and non-disabled groups. Comparisons were made separately for five disability subgroups: physical disability, sensory impairment, mental health conditions, learning disability and women with more than one type of disability.

Results
Disabled women comprised 6.14% (1,482) of the total sample (24,155) and appeared to use maternity services more than non-disabled women. Most were positive about their care and reported sufficient access and involvement, but were less likely to breastfeed. The experience of women with different types of disability varied: physically disabled women used antenatal and postnatal services more, but had less choice about labour and birth; the experience of those with a sensory impairment differed little from the non-disabled women, but they were more likely to have met staff before labour; women with mental health disabilities also used services more, but were more critical of communication and support; women with a learning disability and those with multiple disabilities were least likely to report a positive experience of maternity care.

Conclusion
This national study describes disabled women’s experiences of pregnancy, child birth and postnatal care in comparison with non-disabled women. While in many areas there were no differences, there was evidence of specific groups appropriately receiving more care. Areas for improvement included infant feeding and better communication in the context of individualised care."

Also https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/7/e016757 Btw

Women with disability: the experience of maternity care during pregnancy, labour and birth and the postnatal period - BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Background It has been estimated that 9.4% of women giving birth in the United Kingdom have one or more limiting longstanding illness which may cause disability, affecting pregnancy, birth and early parenting. No large scale studies on a nationally representative population have been carried out on the maternity experiences of disabled women to our knowledge. Method Secondary analysis of data from a survey of women in 2010 by English National Health Service Trusts on behalf of the Care Quality Commission was undertaken. 144 trusts in England took part in the postal survey. Women self-identified with disability and were excluded if less than 16 years of age or if their baby had died. The 12 page structured questionnaire with sections on antenatal, labour and birth and postnatal care covered access, information, communication and choice. Descriptive and adjusted analyses compared disabled and non-disabled groups. Comparisons were made separately for five disability subgroups: physical disability, sensory impairment, mental health conditions, learning disability and women with more than one type of disability. Results Disabled women comprised 6.14% (1,482) of the total sample (24,155) and appeared to use maternity services more than non-disabled women. Most were positive about their care and reported sufficient access and involvement, but were less likely to breastfeed. The experience of women with different types of disability varied: physically disabled women used antenatal and postnatal services more, but had less choice about labour and birth; the experience of those with a sensory impairment differed little from the non-disabled women, but they were more likely to have met staff before labour; women with mental health disabilities also used services more, but were more critical of communication and support; women with a learning disability and those with multiple disabilities were least likely to report a positive experience of maternity care. Conclusion This national study describes disabled women’s experiences of pregnancy, child birth and postnatal care in comparison with non-disabled women. While in many areas there were no differences, there was evidence of specific groups appropriately receiving more care. Areas for improvement included infant feeding and better communication in the context of individualised care.

BioMed Central
Show threadMx VerdaAug 12, 2025
What say you, midwifery? https://rcm.org.uk/blog/2025/06/improving-maternity-care-and-support-for-pregnant-women-with-disabilities/
Improving maternity care and support for pregnant women with disabilities - Royal College of Midwives

In her latest blog Clare Livingstone, Head of Professional Policy and Practice shares an update on the RCM’s work to improve maternity care and support for pregnant women with disabilities Disabled women make up 20% of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in the UK, equating to 2.9 million women. Despite this, emerging evidence here […]

Royal College of Midwives
Show threadMx VerdaAug 12, 2025
1. https://birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/disability-and-long-term-health-conditions-and-maternity-care/
2. https://criplife.co.uk/pregnancy-and-disability-ensuring-inclusive-maternity-care-for-prospective-disabled-mothers/
3. https://www.ableize.com/health-and-fitness/pregnancy-and-parenthood/
Disability and long-term health conditions and maternity care - Birthrights

What rights do I have to NHS maternity care? Everyone is legally entitled to medical attention from healthcare professionals during their pregnancy, childbirth and after their baby is born. This is because serious and occasionally life-threatening complications can occur in pregnancy and childbirth. Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights protects everyone’s right ... Read more

Birthrights
Show threadMx VerdaAug 12, 2025
1. https://criplife.co.uk/pregnancy-and-disability-ensuring-inclusive-maternity-care-for-prospective-disabled-mothers/
2. https://www.ableize.com/health-and-fitness/pregnancy-and-parenthood/
3. https://birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/disability-and-long-term-health-conditions-and-maternity-care/
Show threadMx VerdaAug 12, 2025
1. https://www.ableize.com/health-and-fitness/pregnancy-and-parenthood/
2. https://birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/disability-and-long-term-health-conditions-and-maternity-care/
3. https://criplife.co.uk/pregnancy-and-disability-ensuring-inclusive-maternity-care-for-prospective-disabled-mothers/
Show threadMx VerdaAug 12, 2025

https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Women-with-Disabilities-and-Special-Needs-Guideline.pdf "Appendix 1: MOTHERS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES GUIDANCE TOOL
V
Value family – Involve individuals who best know the woman with learning disabilities as they can provide additional information that may be helpful to the decision-making process.
A
Avoid making assumptions – Do not assume that because someone has a diagnosis of a learning disability that they cannot be good enough parents
L
Look for support – Professionals should not work in isolation and should involve learning disability services for further support and guidance.
U
Understand emotions – Take into consideration that many mothers with learning disabilities have their own anxieties and worries about motherhood and fear of judgment. Do not assume they are being difficult.
E
Establish reasonable adjustments – Professionals should put reasonable adjustments into place to ensure women with learning disabilities can comprehend and understand information to give informed consent. I.E. easy read, pictorials, large font, visual and hearing aids.

M
Mental Capacity – Do not assume capacity. In liaison with the Mental Capacity Act 2005, professionals should consider completing a Mental Capacity Assessment (MCA) to establish whether the women can give informed consent. Professionals should also consider best interest, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and involving an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA).
E
Efficient discharge – Professionals should consider possible support that can be put into place to ensure a person-centered discharge is consolidated. Consider, access to health and additional services, transport, financial support and accommodation.

THINK... VALUE ME"

#maternity #pregnancy #ObGyn #Obstetrics #pregnant #nativity #disabled #DisabledJoy #DisabledFedi #disability #MedMastodon #med #meds #medicine #medical

Show threadMx VerdaAug 12, 2025

1. https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Women-with-Disabilities-and-Special-Needs-Guideline.pdf
2. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/7/e016757
3. https://rcm.org.uk/blog/2025/06/improving-maternity-care-and-support-for-pregnant-women-with-disabilities/
4. https://birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/disability-and-long-term-health-conditions-and-maternity-care/
5. https://criplife.co.uk/pregnancy-and-disability-ensuring-inclusive-maternity-care-for-prospective-disabled-mothers/
6. https://www.ableize.com/health-and-fitness/pregnancy-and-parenthood/

I guess obstretics is My New Thing.

#maternity #pregnancy #ObGyn #Obstetrics #pregnant #nativity #disabled #DisabledJoy #DisabledFedi #disability #MedMastodon #med #meds #medicine #medical