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Disability, pregnancy and parenting

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Book cover Aspects of Midwifery Practice

Part of the book series: Midwifery Practice Series

Abstract

Many authors argue that ideologies of motherhood suggest that all women want children (Barnard 1975; Bilton et al 1987; Tong 1989). Fine and Asch (1988) note, however, that women with disabilities are expected to forego mothering in the interests of the child. Fears that the disability will be handed on to the child, or that the children might be psychologically harmed, deprived or burdened are often expressed in both the lay and professional communities. Consequently women with disabilities who choose to parent often face negative attitudes from the health professionals they encounter. As midwives we must be aware of our own values and attitudes regarding the rights and responsibilities of childbearing before we can support the pregnant woman who has a disability or chronic illness as she explores the meaning of the pregnancy, works through the challenges of pregnancy, labour and birth, and adapts to her role as mother. Midwives have the potential to strengthen a woman in her ability to give birth and parent in a society that may not be 100 per cent supportive of her decision to do so.

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Authors
  1. Elaine Carty
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Editor information

Jo Alexander Valerie Levy Sarah Roch

Copyright information

© 1995 Elaine Carty

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Carty, E. (1995). Disability, pregnancy and parenting. In: Alexander, J., Levy, V., Roch, S. (eds) Aspects of Midwifery Practice. Midwifery Practice Series. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-13543-1_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-13543-1_3

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-333-61956-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-349-13543-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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