Lisa I Iezzoni1, Amy J Wint2, Suzanne C Smeltzer3, Jeffrey L Ecker4. 1. Mongan Institute Health Policy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address: liezzoni@mgh.harvard.edu. 2. Mongan Institute Health Policy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. 3. Center for Nursing Research, Villanova University College of Nursing, Villanova, Pennsylvania. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although growing numbers of women with mobility disability are becoming pregnant and desiring motherhood, relatively little is known about their pregnancy experiences or what they might recommend to other women with mobility disability contemplating pregnancy. METHODS: Using a semistructured, open-ended interview protocol, we conducted 2-hour telephone interviews with 22 women who had a significant mobility disability before becoming pregnant and had delivered babies within the prior 10 years. We recruited most interviewees through online social networks. We used NVivo software to sort interview transcript texts and performed conventional content analyses to identify major themes. RESULTS: Participants' mean ± standard deviation age was 34.8 ± 5.3 years; most were White, well-educated, and middle income and 18 used wheeled mobility aids. Recommendations for other women with mobility disability coalesced around five themes: recognizing the possibility of giving birth, advocacy and support, being informed, approaches toward obstetrical practitioners, and managing fears about losing custody of their child. Lacking information about what to expect during their pregnancy was a significant problem. Women got information about pregnancy from diverse sources, but questions arose about accuracy and relevance of this information to individual circumstances. Women urged their peers to advocate for their preferences and needs with obstetrical practitioners. CONCLUSIONS: Women with mobility disability who had delivered babies offered constructive advice for their peers who desire pregnancy. Increasing availability of accurate and relevant information about pregnancy among women with mobility disability is critically important, as is training obstetrical practitioners to provide patient-centered care to these women during pregnancy.
BACKGROUND: Although growing numbers of women with mobility disability are becoming pregnant and desiring motherhood, relatively little is known about their pregnancy experiences or what they might recommend to other women with mobility disability contemplating pregnancy. METHODS: Using a semistructured, open-ended interview protocol, we conducted 2-hour telephone interviews with 22 women who had a significant mobility disability before becoming pregnant and had delivered babies within the prior 10 years. We recruited most interviewees through online social networks. We used NVivo software to sort interview transcript texts and performed conventional content analyses to identify major themes. RESULTS:Participants' mean ± standard deviation age was 34.8 ± 5.3 years; most were White, well-educated, and middle income and 18 used wheeled mobility aids. Recommendations for other women with mobility disability coalesced around five themes: recognizing the possibility of giving birth, advocacy and support, being informed, approaches toward obstetrical practitioners, and managing fears about losing custody of their child. Lacking information about what to expect during their pregnancy was a significant problem. Women got information about pregnancy from diverse sources, but questions arose about accuracy and relevance of this information to individual circumstances. Women urged their peers to advocate for their preferences and needs with obstetrical practitioners. CONCLUSIONS:Women with mobility disability who had delivered babies offered constructive advice for their peers who desire pregnancy. Increasing availability of accurate and relevant information about pregnancy among women with mobility disability is critically important, as is training obstetrical practitioners to provide patient-centered care to these women during pregnancy.
Authors: Monika Mitra; Karen M Clements; Jianying Zhang; Lisa I Iezzoni; Suzanne C Smeltzer; Linda M Long-Bellil Journal: Med Care Date: 2015-12 Impact factor: 2.983
Authors: Kurt R Schumacher; Kathleen A Stringer; Janet E Donohue; Sunkyung Yu; Ashley Shaver; Regine L Caruthers; Brian J Zikmund-Fisher; Carlen Fifer; Caren Goldberg; Mark W Russell Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2014-04-14 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Monika Mitra; Linda M Long-Bellil; Lisa I Iezzoni; Suzanne C Smeltzer; Lauren D Smith Journal: Disabil Health J Date: 2016-01-02 Impact factor: 2.554
Authors: Monika Mitra; Ilhom Akobirshoev; Nechama Sammet Moring; Linda Long-Bellil; Suzanne C Smeltzer; Lauren D Smith; Lisa I Iezzoni Journal: J Womens Health (Larchmt) Date: 2017-08-23 Impact factor: 2.681
Authors: Lisa I Iezzoni; Amy J Wint; Alexy Arauz Boudreau; Cheri A Blauwet; Karen A Kuhlthau Journal: Disabil Health J Date: 2017-12-29 Impact factor: 2.554