We put together recommendations from moms who have already gone through the process you may be going through and have successfully given birth [1].
1. If you use a wheelchair, find a clinic with accessible facilities
By law, individuals with disabilities have the right to receive medical assistance at any clinic [2]. However, not all hospitals are well equipped. So make sure to find an accessible clinic for your prenatal care.
The clinic should have [2, 3]:
Wheelchair ramps at the entrance,
Wide doorways for wheelchair access,
Spacious rooms where you can maneuver with a wheelchair (or at least one such room if the clinic is small),
Examination tables with adjustable height,
Wheelchair scales,
Elevators and lifts,
Stretchers and gurneys.
You can request a list of clinics that meet these requirements from the ADA information hotline.
2. Consult a peer counselor
A peer counselor is someone who has faced a similar situation and successfully overcome it. In your case, it could be a woman with a similar condition who recently gave birth. She can advise you on how to communicate with doctors, where to give birth, how to advocate for your rights, and even provide emotional support. You can find a support group on the website of the international organization Disability, Pregnancy & Parenthood, and the Disabled Parenting Project site.
3. Be persistent
Although you have the right to receive comprehensive medical assistance, it's not always easy to get it. Doctors often lack the time and knowledge to examine pregnant women with disabilities [4], and this is a global problem [5]. Women with disabilities who have already given birth recommend being proactive:
Ask questions and show that you care about your health and your baby’s well-being.
Bring someone to your appointments to help you move from a chair to the examination table.
Let your doctor know if you have hearing or vision impairments instead of having them find out during your initial consultation.
If you are denied medical assistance or the examination is conducted negligently (for example, not transferring you from a wheelchair to a specialized table, not ordering mandatory tests, or rushing through the appointment), you can file a complaint on the ADA website.
4. Create a birth plan
It is a misconception that pregnant women with disabilities can only give birth via cesarean section [6]. However, for spinal conditions, it is important to discuss the possibility of epidural anesthesia with your doctor in advance, and for spinal cord injuries, talk to your doctor about how not to miss the onset of labor.
Check the labor room in the hospital beforehand. Are the doorways wide? Is there a seat in the shower? Decide with hospital staff and loved ones who will assist you with personal hygiene and caring for the baby immediately after giving birth.
5. Prepare your home in advance
Try to plan household details during pregnancy so that you don't have to spend time and energy on them after childbirth. Specifically:
Set up the crib and changing table at a convenient height for you.
If possible, create extra space in your home (even a disability-friendly home can be challenging after having a baby).
Plan how your baby’s bathing process or find helpers.
An occupational therapist, who specializes in aids and devices for individuals with functional impairments, can help you modify your home. You can find contact information for a specialist and seek assistance in caregiving on the Through the Looking Glass Foundation website.
