32. Pregnancy in Women with Physical Disabilities
- John T. Queenan MD2,
- Catherine Y. Spong MD3,
- Charles J. Lockwood MD4
Published Online: 4 JAN 2012
DOI: 10.1002/9781119963783.ch32
Copyright © 2012 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd
Book Title
Queenan's Management of High-Risk Pregnancy: An Evidence-Based Approach, Sixth Edition
Additional Information
How to Cite
Signore, C. C. (2012) Pregnancy in Women with Physical Disabilities, in Queenan's Management of High-Risk Pregnancy: An Evidence-Based Approach, Sixth Edition (eds J. T. Queenan, C. Y. Spong and C. J. Lockwood), Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, UK. doi: 10.1002/9781119963783.ch32
Editor Information
- 2
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
- 3
Bethesda, MD, USA
- 4
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
Publication History
- Published Online: 4 JAN 2012
- Published Print: 24 FEB 2012
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9780470655764
Online ISBN: 9781119963783
- Summary
- Chapter
- References
Keywords:
- women with physical disabilities, in pregnancy;
- women of reproductive age, some mobility limitations;
- bladder dysfunction and UTIs;
- venous thromboembolic disease;
- weight gain, mobility, skin integrity;
- women at risk, psychosocial in pregnancy;
- illicit drug use, more common in women with disabilities;
- uneventful pregnancies and normal birth outcome;
- multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cerebral palsy;
- pregnancy course, outcomes, and disabling condition
Summary
According to United States census data, more than 11% of women of reproductive age report some type of disability, with mobility limitations most frequently cited. Among women aged 18–44 years, 1.1 million use a cane, wheelchair or other mobility aid and 1.1 million have a disabling condition serious enough to cause difficulty with activities of daily living. The incidence of spinal cord injury among women is increasing, and with today's improved management, growing numbers of women survive acute traumatic spinal cord injury each year. Multiple sclerosis rates are also increasing, with peak incidence in women of child-bearing age. Improved survival of very preterm infants and infants with congenital anomalies is translating into increasing numbers of women with cerebral palsy and spina bifida reaching their reproductive years. Most women with disabilities do not have impaired fertility, and many want to be mothers. Thus, practitioners should expect increasing numbers of women with disabilities presenting for pregnancy care. There is, however, an unfortunate paucity of data to inform counseling and guide management of pregnancy in women with physical disabilities. This chapter will summarize current evidence on pregnancy risks and outcomes among women with disabilities.