Professional and social support enhances maternal well-being in women with intellectual disability - a Swedish interview study.

OBJECTIVE

to gain a deeper understanding of the experience of professional and social support during pregnancy and childbirth among women with intellectual disability (ID) in Sweden.

DESIGN/SETTING: an interview study among 10 women with ID, who had given birth within seven years. Two interviews were performed with each woman and data were analysed with qualitative content analysis.

FINDINGS

the overarching theme was: Professional and social support enhances maternal well-being in women with intellectual disability. The women described that the midwife and other caregivers contributed to their own insights and supported their mother-to-be process. They were mostly satisfied with the professional care and support during pregnancy and childbirth, based on aspects such as continuity, competence and professional experience of the midwives but also professional approach and working methods. Dissatisfaction and confusion occurred when questions were left unanswered or when the women׳s special needs were not taken into consideration. Family members, friends and colleagues could also have a supporting role and, together with the health staff, contribute to the well-being of the woman.

CONCLUSIONS

if professional support and care from midwives and other caregivers is adapted to the special needs of women with ID, it contributes to new insights, enhances well-being and supports the process of becoming a mother. Midwife-led continuity of care together with continuous social support should be offered to pregnant women with ID during pregnancy and childbirth.