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There is a paucity of information concerning adaptive parenting strategies utilised by mothers with physical disabilities, particularly during early motherhood. The purpose of this study is to describe the adaptive strategies used by mothers with physical disabilities during early motherhood. This qualitative study included semi‐structured telephone interviews between January and March 2014 with US mothers with a range of physical disabilities who had a baby within the past 10 years (N = 25). Interviews were audio‐recorded, professionally transcribed, and coded using content analysis. Analysis revealed five broad themes indicating important adaptive parenting strategies for mothers with physical disabilities caring for infants and toddlers: They are as follows: (a) acquiring or modifying baby‐care equipment, (b) adapting the home environment, (c) accessing information and supports, (d) developing communication strategies to facilitate safety, and (e) receiving assistance from others. This study indicates that mothers with physical disabilities employ a variety of adaptive strategies during early motherhood. The findings from the study suggest the need for more availability of supports and equipment for mothers with physical disabilities as well as information for prospective mothers with disabilities. In addition, healthcare and social work professionals must receive training about adaptive parenting strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women with physical disabilities increasingly aspire to become pregnant and bear children. Limited information about the potential interaction of their disabling conditions with pregnancy and childbirth exists to guide these women and their clinicians. Materials and Methods: The interview guide was created with questions on topics such as pregnancy complications and secondary conditions, the impact of prior surgeries, experiences with pain relief during labor, and the impact on women's independence and participation in life activities. Interviews were conducted by telephone with 25 women with physical disabilities. They were subsequently transcribed verbatim and analyzed by using Atlas TI. Results: Women generally reported a relatively modest impact of disabling conditions on their pregnancies. Most women were satisfied with the mode of delivery, but they experienced challenges during the labor and delivery process. The women found that careful advanced planning was helpful in managing the impact of their disabling conditions. The involvement of clinicians with disability-related expertise was, in some cases, another factor that contributed to a positive outcome. Conclusions: The importance of advanced planning and the utility of involving clinicians with disability-related expertise suggest that the use of integrated, interdisciplinary team approaches could promote quality care by facilitating improved planning and management. Additional clinical research is needed to provide women and their clinicians with more information on potential complications and options for labor and delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adverse consequences of postpartum depression on the health of the mother and her child are well documented. However, there is little information on postpartum depression among mothers with disabilities. This study examines the patterns of depression and depressive symptoms before, during and after pregnancy and the association between depression before and during pregnancy and postpartum depression symptomatology (PPD) among women with and without disabilities. Data from the 2009-2011 Rhode Island Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) were analyzed in 2013. Almost 30 % (28.9 %; 95 % CI 22.8-35.8) of mothers with disabilities reported often or always feeling down, depressed or sad after childbirth compared to 10 % of those without disabilities (95 % CI 8.9-11.3). Compared to other women in the study, women with disabilities had a greater likelihood for PPD symptoms (RR 1.6, 95 % CI 1.1-2.2) after accounting for sociodemographics, maternal characteristics related to PPD, and depression before and during pregnancy. Adjusting for other covariates, self-reported prenatal diagnosis of depression was not associated with symptoms of PPD and depression during pregnancy was marginally associated with PPD symptomatology for women with disabilities. Women with disabilities are at a greater risk of experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression than other women. Screening for PPD among new mothers with disabilities and timely referral of those with PPD diagnosis are vital to the health of mothers with disabilities and their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Historically, people with disabilities who become parents have confronted discriminatory societal attitudes and public policies. Today, although more women with disabilities are bearing children, little is known about the perceptions of their pregnancies, even among their family members. In addition, little is understood about how family members’ attitudes and reactions affect women with physical disabilities around the time of pregnancy. Method This qualitative study involved interviews with 25 women with physical disabilities from across the United States who had a baby within the past 10 years. Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted. Interviews were audio-recorded, professionally transcribed, and analyzed using an iterative, interpretive process. Findings Women reported a wide range of physical disabilities. Before, during, and after pregnancy, participants reported experiencing wide-ranging attitudes and reactions from family members concerning their pregnancies. These responses fell into six categories: 1) initial negative reactions, 2) concern about mother's well-being, 3) questioning of parenting capability, 4) negative perceptions of disability, 5) genetic concerns, and 6) excited and supportive. Conclusions This study sheds light on the attitudes and reactions toward pregnancy that women with physical disabilities experience from family members. Our findings suggest the need for increased social support and family education. Greater availability of peer supports as well as information for women with disabilities considering pregnancy is also needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]