A BOURNEMOUTH University report has shown that some disabled mums-to-be feel they are not receiving appropriate care during pregnancy.

Research commissioned by Birthrights, a charity set up to champion the cause of human rights in childbirth, revealed that many women felt they were not listened to, potentially reducing their choices and making them feel they had less control.

Researchers from Bournemouth University (BU) and The University of Liverpool surveyed and interviewed 37 women with physical or sensory impairment or long term health conditions. The final report highlighted the challenges they said they faced in the current maternity system.

“Service providers had no understanding of specific needs and are only equipped for the mainstream,” said one visually impaired participant.

Another, whilst praising her community midwife and GP said: “The consultant was unfamiliar with my disability and its implications. The midwife on the day of delivery was beyond useless, deciding she knew better than the specialist of my disability. The anaesthetist was oblivious to my disability and failed to read the notes from my specialist.”

Seventy-one per cent of women were satisfied or very satisfied with their midwife support, 57 per cent were satisfied with their GP’s input and nearly 60 per cent were satisfied with the support they received from their obstetrician.

Fewer reported satisfaction with their maternity support worker, however, but fewer than half the participants answered the question on this aspect, with a number stating that they didn’t know what a maternity support worker was.

However, the majority of those questioned did not believe reasonable adjustments or accommodations were made available for them.

The research was conducted by Dr Jenny Hall, Jillian Ireland and Professor Vanora Hundley from Bournemouth University and Dr Bethan Collins from The University of Liverpool.

Professor Vanora Hundley, Deputy Dean of Research and Professional Practice at BU, said: “The National Maternity Review, Better Births, highlighted the importance of personalised maternity care that focuses on the needs of the woman and her family. Good communication is a key to achieving woman centred care, and our findings suggest that this remains a particular challenge for women who have a disability.”