Supporting Women with Disabilities to Achieve Optimal Health | Health Equity Features

10% to 12% of reproductive-aged women have a disability. Women with disabilities are more likely to have delayed prenatal care initiation and elevated risk for adverse health conditions that impact maternal and infant outcomes, including gestational diabetes, obesity, chronic hypertension, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (such as preeclampsia), cesarean section, and infant low birthweight.

Women with disabilities report that health care providers have limited knowledge about specific support needs and other resources for women with disabilities during and after pregnancy, or providers demonstrate negative attitudes and misconceptions regarding the preferences or abilities of women with disabilities to have children.

To reduce some of the personal, social, and structural barriers to reproductive care for women with disabilities:

Women with disabilities can:

Providers and support persons can: 

• Anticipate and accommodate special needs for women with disabilities, such as the need for specialized medical equipment, accessible height for examination tables, and other equipment or supports to optimize gynecological and other health examinations
• Provide reproductive health information and foster acceptance around a woman’s right to consensual sexual expression, including rights for women with intellectual and other disabilities
• Acknowledge and plan for pregnancy intention preferences of women with disabilities
• Provide infant care equipment, such as cribs or changing tables, that are accessible by women with disabilities
• Learn and incorporate tips for communicating with female patients with intellectual disabilities.

Health and data systems can:

• Collect and utilize administrative, clinical, and population health data to better understand and address needs and risks for persons with disabilities related to pregnancy and reproductive health