[Women like us do bear children: disabled mothers on experiencing healthcare services]

Although a number of physically disabled women bear children, little is known about how perinatal health care services are adapted to the needs of this group. In this article we address the issue from a social relational perspective on disability.

This article is based on lengthy interviews with 21 physically disabled women who gave birth over the 1991-2000 period. The results are part of an exploratory and qualitative research project covering a broader range of topics related to disability and motherhood carried out by NOVA, a Norwegian institute for social research.

Environmental barriers, attitudes as well as limited knowledge and experience among health care professional may prevent disabled women from receiving the perinatal care they are entitled to. Despite reported limitations in these services, quite a few of our respondents told us about professionals who did provide help and treatment adapted to their special needs. Important factors were accessible environment, respectful attitude and the professionals' ability to take the required precautions without making the women feel they were a source of problems.