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New publicationsDisabled parents and their children: building a better future The disabled woman's guide to pregnancy and birth Disabled parents and their children: building a better future
This important discussion document is reviewed by Cath Turner, Social Worker, Kingston-upon-Thames, UK This slim document offers a critical overview of the developments and issues concerning the impact of parental disability on families. In the introduction it is noted that, until recently, issues concerned with parental disability were marginalised and these four essays look at different aspects of the subject. Richard Olsen examines the historical backdrop of many modern debates about parenting and disability reflecting on such diverse topics as eugenics and normalisation. He discusses the early emphasis on the negative effects of disability on parenting skills and the more recent development of interest in this area where a more positive approach is taken. The significance of the Children Act 1989 and the NHS and Commu nity Care Act 1990 is reviewed and the reader is encouraged to take a critical look at recent legislation and its impact. Acknowledging the impact that disabled parents and their campaigning organisations have had on policy and recent practice, he suggests that positive developments seem likely to continue. Michael Preston Shoot gives a critical overview of legislation and policy guidance that parents and practitioners might refer to. He aims to guide the reader through the minefield of legislation and case law which are pertinent to their situation. He touches on Community Care legislation, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Human Rights Act 1998, among others, and leads the reader to case law which illustrates the application of legislation. Tony Newman looks at research on the impact on children of parental disability and illness, noting that in the majority of these studies a deterioration in some aspect of the child's well-being is emphasised. He asks the reader to be circumspect when looking at these studies and their findings, which concentrate on the illness or disability rather than including all factors such as poverty or poor housing. He suggests that it might be more helpful to consider the strengths of these families rather than possible weaknesses. He reviews several studies which focus on the possible harmful effects on the children of ill or disabled parents and comments on the particularly negative attitudes towards parents with learning disabilities and those with a mental illness. In his conclusion he suggests that such a focus is no longer viable and is being challenged by disabled people who are no longer prepared to countenance these negative stereotypes. Jo Aldridge and Michele Wates engage in a dialogue on some of the commonalities and differences between those involved in developing services for disabled parents and young carers. Each airs their own views, providing the reader with two different perspectives. Cath Turner The disabled woman's guide to pregnancy and birth
This new guide to pregnancy and birth is reviewed by Julie Brown, Parentcraft Co-ordinator, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK. This book provides information about pregnancy, and the effects it may have on the disabled woman's body, through to giving birth and the early postnatal period. The author is a disabled mother, and pregnancy and parenting specialist at the USA national resource centre, Through the Looking Glass. She uses women's personal experiences (gained from interviews) of pregnancy and childbirth to portray the varying effects it can have on women with many different types of disability. Pseudonyms are used for the interviewees and their names are given with the same initial as her type of disability. Where medical terminology is used there is always a non-patronising explanation of the term and sometimes statistics are quoted to put things in perspective. There are also useful appendices and a helpful resource section with contact addresses (the majority being based in the USA) and websites for additional information and support groups. Each chapter covers the differing emotional and physical changes a woman may experience through the stages of pregnancy. It begins with planning a pregnancy, choosing an obstetrician and where to give birth. It details what will happen at `office visits' (antenatal appointments) as the pregnancy progresses. It also includes information on screening tests offered during the pregnancy, the majority of which are the same tests as those offered in the UK and at the same times during the pregnancy. There is a very detailed section on nutrition in pregnancy which readers may find a bit overwhelming. Midwives will give advice about healthy eating during pregnancy as well as foods to avoid. Exercises for pregnancy are covered but it is worth seeking advice from your medical team about the safety of your chosen exercise depending on your disability or medical condition. Helpful advice is found in the three chapters discussing pregnancy and how a woman's body changes physically to accommodate her growing baby. It also talks about some of the discomforts women may experience during this time along with remedies that mothers have found to be useful and effective. In one of the appendices many women with different disabilities who were interviewed recalled how the pregnancy affected their bodies in relation to their disability. Labour and birth are described in adequate detail with a welcome discussion on coping strategies, pain relief and positions to try for the birth. Names of some pain relieving drugs may be different from those used locally so check what is available in your maternity unit. There is also a section on assisted births and caesarean section and the recovery following this. Infant feeding is also discussed in the chapter on the postpartum period with women explaining how they found their own comfortable positions for feeding their baby. Some advice regarding treatment of engorged breasts may differ so readers are advised to speak to midwives or breastfeeding advisers about current practices. Readers need to be aware that maternity care can vary in different countries. For example, in the USA, women choose their obstetrician and pay for their services whereas in the United Kingdom there is the National Health Service where all services are free. There are also no midwives in the USA but obstetric nurses instead. Usually, in the UK, midwives are the main carers for normal pregnancy and birth. However, women with disabilities may be advised to see their general practitioner who will refer them to an obstetrician where there are anticipated problems with the pregnancy or medical history requiring investigations. This will also depend on an individual woman's type and level of disability. Julie Brown |
Tony Newman and Michele Wates, 2004, London: Barnardo's. 
Judith Rogers, 2005, New York: Demos Medical Publishing