Cover Image
close this bookWhere Women Have No Doctor - A Health Guide for Women (Hesperian Foundation, 1997, 600 p.)
close this folderChapter 9: Women with Disabilities
close this folderSexuality and Sexual Health
View the document(introduction...)
View the documentFamily planning
View the documentPregnancy and disability

Pregnancy and disability


Figure

A woman with a disability can become pregnant and have a healthy baby. Here are some things to consider, especially if you cannot move your body very much, or if you use a walking aid:

· As your belly gets larger, your balance changes. Some women can use a stick or crutch to prevent falls. Some women may want to use a wheelchair while pregnant.

· Since many pregnant women have trouble with hard stools (constipation), you may need to do your ‘bowel program’ to remove the stool more often.

· During labor, you may not be able to feel the birth pains (contractions). Instead, watch for the shape of your belly to change, and use this to count the time between contractions.

· To prevent stiff joints (contractures) and to keep your muscles strong, exercise as much as you can.

· For more general information on pregnancy and birth, see Pregnancy and Childbirth.