Pregnancy, birth, and disability: women's health care experiences.

This qualitative study examined the pregnancy, birth and postpartum experiences of 12 women with mobility-limiting physical disabilities. Analysis of semi-structured interviews of one to two hours revealed that the women's experiences were influenced by their own perspectives and the characteristics of health care system within which they were treated. The woman's experience included the effect of her disability, her resources, and her personality and approach. Health care system factors included provider attitudes, knowledge about disability and structural and political factors. Implications for health care providers are described.