Report finds pregnant individuals with disabilities encounter obstacles in accessing healthcare

A new report has shed light on the challenges faced by pregnant individuals with disabilities in Ontario. The report, authored by Hilary Brown from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, reveals that one in eight pregnant individuals in the province has a disability. Despite this significant number, many encounter barriers to accessible care and encounter disrespectful attitudes from healthcare providers.

The study found that some pregnant individuals with disabilities were assumed to want abortions by nurses and doctors when seeking pregnancy care. Additionally, there were reports of a lack of accessibility in doctors’ offices for those with mobility issues, as well as a lack of sign language interpretation during critical moments like labor and delivery. Many participants also expressed frustration over healthcare providers not understanding their disabilities, their capabilities, and the care they required.

The report, published on Tuesday, calls for more education and training on disabilities for physicians, nurses, and other care providers working with pregnant individuals. It also advocates for changes in how doctors are funded to allow for more time to be spent with pregnant patients with disabilities.

Wendy Porch, executive director of the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto, who was part of the advisory committee for the report, expressed that the gaps in care for pregnant individuals with disabilities are not a new issue. She shared her personal experience of feeling unsupported during her pregnancy due to her disability, highlighting the lack of guidance and support from healthcare providers.

Porch emphasized the need for increased training for medical practitioners on how to support disabled parents during pregnancy and postnatal care. The report, which examined health records of pregnant individuals in Ontario between 2010 and 2020 and included interviews with over 60 people with disabilities, aims to raise awareness and drive change in the healthcare system to better support pregnant individuals with disabilities.