Ratakonda Sanjana, Panko Tiffany L, Albert Sasha, Smith Lauren D, Cooley Margarita M, Mitra Monika, McKee Michael
Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
NTID Deaf Health Care and Biomedical Science Hub, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York, USA.
Birth. 2025 Jun;52(2):261-268. doi: 10.1111/birt.12881. Epub 2024 Oct 27.
Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) women experience higher rates of reproductive healthcare barriers and adverse birth outcomes compared to their hearing peers. This study explores the pregnancy experiences of DHH women who do not sign to better understand their barriers and facilitators to optimal perinatal health care.
Qualitative study using thematic analysis.
Semi-structured, individual remote, or in-person interviews in the United States.
Twenty-two DHH English speakers (non-signers) who gave birth in the United States within the past 5 years.
Semi-structured interviews explored how DHH women experienced pregnancy and birth, including access to perinatal information and resources, relationships with healthcare providers, communication access, and their involvement with the healthcare system throughout pregnancy. A thematic analysis was conducted.
The barriers and facilitators related to a positive perinatal care experience among DHH women.
Five key themes emerged. For barriers, healthcare communication breakdowns and loss of patient autonomy highlighted DHH women's struggle with perinatal health care. In contrast, DHH participants outlined the importance of accessible health communication practices and accommodations, use of patient advocacy or self-advocacy, and assistive technologies for DHH parents for more positive perinatal care experiences.
Perinatal healthcare providers and staff should routinely inquire about ways to ensure an inclusive and accessible healthcare experience for their DHH patients and provide communication accommodations for optimal care. Additionally, healthcare providers should be more aware of the unique parenting needs and resources of their DHH patients.
与听力正常的同龄人相比，失聪和听力障碍（DHH）女性在生殖健康护理方面面临更高的障碍，且不良分娩结局的发生率也更高。本研究探讨了不使用手语的DHH女性的怀孕经历，以更好地了解她们在获得最佳围产期保健方面的障碍和促进因素。
采用主题分析的定性研究。
在美国进行半结构化、单独的远程或面对面访谈。
22名在过去5年内在美国分娩的讲英语的DHH女性（不使用手语者）。
半结构化访谈探讨了DHH女性如何经历怀孕和分娩，包括获取围产期信息和资源、与医疗保健提供者的关系、沟通渠道以及她们在整个孕期与医疗保健系统的参与情况。进行了主题分析。
与DHH女性积极围产期护理体验相关的障碍和促进因素。
出现了五个关键主题。在障碍方面，医疗保健沟通障碍和患者自主权的丧失凸显了DHH女性在围产期保健方面的困境。相比之下，DHH参与者概述了无障碍健康沟通实践和便利措施、使用患者代言人或自我代言以及为DHH父母提供辅助技术对于获得更积极围产期护理体验的重要性。
围产期医疗保健提供者和工作人员应经常询问如何确保为他们的DHH患者提供包容且无障碍的医疗保健体验，并提供沟通便利措施以实现最佳护理。此外，医疗保健提供者应更加了解他们的DHH患者独特的育儿需求和资源。
