The master's thesis explores the course of pregnancy and postnatal care for women with intellectual disabilities. The professional literature indicates that women with intellectual disabilities face more health problems during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Common issues include preeclampsia, miscarriage, preterm birth, neonatal death etc. Healthcare staff is not qualified to take care of pregnant women with intellectual disabilities which adds additional pressure for these women as they often feel inadequate in the role of the mother. In the empirical part we conducted an interview with a younger woman with a mild intellectual disability who has a young daughter and with a mother of the young adult woman with a mild intellectual disability who has become a mother. We were interested in the overall experience of pregnancy, the reactions of the environment, the attitude of healthcare professionals and postnatal care both in the hospital and at home. The aim of the thesis was to explore the course of pregnancy at two women with mild intellectual disabilities and the postnatal care they received in the hospital and at home. The research process was conducted through a semi-structured interview. A qualitative research approach (case study) and a descriptive method were used in the study. The sampling was purposive. The experience of both women confirmed the results of scientific research, which provided the theoretical foundation for our master´s thesis. Both women needed support from family and professionals, which they received. However their immediate and wider enviroment acceted their pregnancies with reservations and dissaproval, due to the mentality that they were not capable of fulfilling the role of mother.
|
