Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Ramp to Motherhood: The Experiences of Mothers with Physical Disabilities

  • Published:
Sexuality and Disability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper describes a qualitative study on the experiences of mothers with physical disabilities. Two focus groups were held for mothers with young children and mothers of older children. Eight mothers also participated in in-depth interviews. All had a mobility/limb impairment; most were wheelchair users. Participants described reactions to their pregnancy, their stay on the maternity ward, and their experience as a disabled mother with a newborn baby. They encountered a range of reactions and attitudes to their pregnancy, with some facing opposition and scepticism. Mothers varied in the level of formal and informal support available to them and in the number and magnitude of stressors that they faced. Those who required assistance to carry out caring tasks emphasized the importance of retaining control over the parental role. The shortage of funded resources to help meet children's needs was noted as a major hurdle for mothers with physical disabilities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Asch, A. (2000). Why I haven't changed my mind about prenatal diagnosis: Reflections and refinement. In E. Parens & A. Asch (eds.), Prenatal testing and disability rights (pp. 234-258). Washington, D.C., Georgetown University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asch, A., & Fine, M. (1988). Introduction: Beyond pedestals. In A. Asch & M. Fine, Women with disabilities: Essays in psychology, culture and politics (pp. 1-37). Philadelphia: Temple University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergman, A. (1993, May/June). Yard work yes, child care no. Disability Rag and Resource, p. 7-8.

  • Blackford, K. A. (1993). Erasing mothers with disabilities through Canadian family-related policy. Disability, Handicap, and Society, 8(3), 281-294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blumberg, L. (1994a, January/February). Eugenics vs. reproductive choice. The Disability Rag and Resource, p. 3-11.

  • Blumberg, L. (1994b). The politics of prenatal testing and selective abortion. Sexuality and Disability, 12 2, 135-15

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell-Earl, L. (1993, May/June). A ramp to parenting. Disability Rag and Resource, pp. 10-11.

  • Campion, M. J. (1995). Who's fit to be a parent? London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finger, A. (1990). Past due: A story of disability, pregnancy, and birth. Seattle, WA: The Seal Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill, C. J. (1996a). Becoming visible: Personal health experiences of women with disabilities. In D. M. Krotoski, M. A. Nosek, & M. A. Turk (eds.), Women with physical disabilities: Achieving and maintaining health and well-being (pp. 5-15). Baltimore: Paul H. Brooks Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill, C. J. (1996b). Dating and relationship issues. Sexuality and Disability, 14(3), 183-190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glesne, C., & Peshkin, A. (1992). Becoming qualitative researchers. White Plains, NY: Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, M. (1994). Mothers' pride and others' prejudice. London, UK: Maternity Alliance.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammer Burns, L. & Covington, S.N. (1999). Psychology of Infertility. In L. Hammer Burns & S.N. Covington (eds.), Infertility counseling: A comprehensive handbook for clinicians (pp. 3-25). New York: The Parthenon Publishing Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hird, M.J. & Abshoff, K. (2000). Women without children: A contradiction in terms? Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 31(3), 347-376.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hooyman, N. R., & Goneya, J. (1995). Feminist perspectives on family care: Policies for gender justice. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ireland, M. S. (1992). Reconceiving women: Separating motherhood from female identity. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keith, L. (1992). Who cares wins? Women, caring and disability. Disability, Handicap & Society, 7(2), 167-175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keith, L. & Morris, J. (1996). Easy targets: A disability rights perspective on the 'children as carers' debate. In J. Morris (ed.), Encounters with strangers: Feminism and disability. London: The Women's Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kent, D. (2000). Somewhere a mockingbird. In E. Parens & A. Asch (eds.), Prenatal testing and disability rights (pp. 57-63). Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Killoran, C. (1994). Women with disabilities having children: It's our right too. Disability and Sexuality, 12(2), 121-127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirshbaum, M. (1996). Mothers with physical disabilities. In D. M. Krotoski, M. A. Nosek, & M. A. Turk (eds.), Women with physical disabilities: Achieving and maintaining health and well-being. Baltimore: Paul Brooks Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kocher, M. (1994). Mothers with disabilities. Sexuality and Disability, 12(2), 127-133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kopala, B. (1989). Mothers with impaired mobility speak out. Topics in Clinical Nursing, 14, 115-119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipson, J.G. & Rogers, J.G. (2000). Pregnancy, birth, and disability: Women's health care experiences. Health Care for Women International, 21(1), 11-26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd, M. (1992). Does she boil eggs? Towards a feminist model of disability. Disability, Handicap and Society, 7(3), 207-221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd, M. (2001). The politics of disability and feminism: Discord or synthesis? Sociology, 35(3), 715-723.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathews, J. (1992). A mother's touch. New York: Holt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merriam, S. B. (1988). Case study research in education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, J. (1992). Personal and political: A feminist perspective on researching physical disability. Disability, Handicap and Society, 7(2), 157-166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, J. (1993). Independent lives? Community care and disabled people. London: MacMillan Press LTD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nosek, M. A. (1996). Sexuality and reproductive health. In D. M. Krotoski, M. A. Nosek, & M. A. Turk (eds.), Women with physical disabilities: Achieving and maintaining health and well-being (pp. 63-67). Baltimore: Paul H. Brooks Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nosek, M.A., Howland, B.A., Rinalta, D.H., Young, M.E., & Chanpong, M.S. (2001). National study of women with physical disabilities: Final report. Sexuality and Disability, 19(1), 5-39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Odell, T. On being a new mom. In D'Aubin (ed.), Breaking the silence (pp. 58-67). Winnipeg, Manitoba: Coalition of Provincial Organisations of the Handicapped.

  • Olkin, R. (1999). What therapists should know about disability. New York: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsen, R. (1996). Young carers: Challenging the facts and politics of research into children and caring. Disability and Society, 11(1), 41-54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orenstein, P. (2001). Flux: Women on sex, work, love, kids, and life in a half-changed world. New York: Knopf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pischke, M. E. (1993). Parenting with a disability. Sexuality and Disability, 11(3), 207-209.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prilleltensky, O. (in press). Motherhood and disability: Children and choices. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

  • Prilleltensky, O. (in press). My child is not my career: Mothers with physical disabilities and the well-being of children. Disability and Society.

  • Reinelt, C., & Fried, M. (1992). “I am this child's mother”: A feminist perspective on mothering with a disability. In M. Nagler (ed.), Perspectives on disability (2nd ed.) (pp. 195-202). Palo Alto, CA: Health Markets Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ridington, J. (1989). The only parent in the neighbourhood: Mothering and women with disabilities (Position paper No. 3). Disabled Women's Network Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rioux, M. (1996). Reproductive technology: A rights issue. Entourage, 9(2), 5-7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, J. (1996). Pregnancy and physical disability. In D. M. Krotoski, M. A. Nosek, & M. A. Turk (eds.), Women with physical disabilities: Achieving and maintaining health and well-being (pp. 101-108). Baltimore: Paul H. Brooks Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, J. & Matsumura, M. (1991). Mother to be: A guide to pregnancy and birth for women with disabilities. New York; Demos.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saxton, M. (1994). Preface to the special issue on women with disabilities: Reproduction and motherhood. Sexuality and Disability, 12(2), 111-115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saxton, M. (2000). Why members of the disability community oppose prenatal diagnosis and selective abortion. In E. Parens & A. Asch (eds.), Prenatal testing and disability rights (pp. 147-164). Washington, D.C.; Georgetown University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seidman, I. E. (1991). Interviewing as qualitative research. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, C. (1996). Looking for perfection. Entourage, 9(2), p. 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, C. (1997). The baby and the bath water: Disabled women and motherhood in social context. Sociology of Health & Illness, 19(5), 622-643.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorne, S. E. (1991). Mothers with chronic illness: A predicament of social construction. Health Care for Women International, 11, 209-221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wates, M. (1997). Disabled parents: Dispelling the myths. Cambridge: National Childbirth Trust Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wates, M. & Jade, R. (eds.). (1999). Bigger than the sky: Disabled women on parenting. London: Women's Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waxman, B. F. (1994). Up against eugenics: Disabled women's challenge to receive reproductive health services. Sexuality and Disability, 12(2), 155-171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waxman, B. F. (1996). Commentary on sexuality and reproductive health. In D. M. Krotoski, M. A. Nosek, & M. A. Turk (eds.), Women with physical disabilities: Achieving and maintaining health and well-being (pp. 179-187). Baltimore: Paul H. Brooks Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, G. W., & White, N. L. (1994). The adoptive process: Challenges and opportunities for people with disabilities. Sexuality and Disability, 11(3), 211-219.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human and Organizational Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Peabody Box 90, Nashville, TN, 37203

    Ora Prilleltensky

Authors
  1. Ora Prilleltensky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ora Prilleltensky.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Prilleltensky, O. A Ramp to Motherhood: The Experiences of Mothers with Physical Disabilities. Sexuality and Disability 21, 21–47 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023558808891

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023558808891

Search

Navigation