Motherhood after traumatic spinal cord injury

The present study includes all women with a traumatic spinal cord injury in Sweden who became pregnant and delivered live infants during 1980-1991. This group comprises six tetraplegic and 20 paraplegic patients, all confined to a wheelchair. During the above mentioned period the patients had delivered a total of 47 children. The study evaluated parental ability and quality of family life as regards interpersonal relationships, family relationships, social integration, recreational interests and demand for external assistance. An individual standardised interview was performed with all patients. In addition a standardised questionnaire was sent to all spouses (n = 20) and to all children above 10 years of age (n = 10). All 26 patients participated, 18 spouses completed and returned the questionnaires and all children took part in the study. We found an overall favourable outcome as regards the parameters evaluated. The families seem to live a rich and complete family life with very little demand for external help. They report a well functioning social network and seem socially integrated both as individuals and as families. To conclude, the study indicates that there is no reason to question females with an SCI in their roles as parents. The spinal cord injury per se, in females, thus does not preclude the possibility of having a family and caring for children adequately.