title: Normalising birth for women with a disability: the challenges facing practitioners.
abstract: Previous research on pregnant women with a disability and their experience of maternity care demonstrated that these mothers perceived themselves to be the 'perennial outsiders' with midwives automatically categorising them as 'high risk' because of their disability. They also felt that their ability to make choices, stay in control and have continuity of care was not considered to be part of the mainstream maternity care for them because they did not fit the 'normal' category.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  this research was undertaken to explore the perceptions of two multiprofessional teams in Irish hospitals as to how maternity services to these mothers can be improved.
  
  
  METHODS
  nineteen health-care professionals from midwifery, social work and public health nursing were recruited.
  
  
  METHODS
  two from two major maternity hospitals, one in the North and one in the South of Ireland. were featured.
  
  
  METHODS
  the method chosen was a qualitative approach, using focus group interviews in which case studies depicting a range and breadth of women's birthing experiences were presented and discussed. Newell and Burnard's (2006) six stage approach to thematic content analysis was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the professionals found the disabled women's stories believable, upsetting and challenging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Staff acknowledged their 'lack of competence, knowledge and skill' regarding disability and felt that, on reflection, their failure to consult and collaborate with disabled women contributed to their failing to provide individualised woman centred care to women with a disability. IMPLICATIONS OF PRACTICe: A series of recommendations for improved practice was agreed.
authors: St. John's, Donegal Rd., Ballybofey, Lifford, Co. Donegal, Republic of Ireland. dympnawalsh111@hotmail.com
authors: Dympna
authors: D
authors: Walsh-Gallagher
authors: Roy
authors: R
authors: Mc Conkey
authors: Marlene
authors: M
authors: Sinclair
authors: Ruth
authors: R
authors: Clarke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D008880:Midwifery / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010348:Patient Care Team; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires