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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
"Continuity of care – it’s not rocket science": Exploring the experiences of women with disabilities accessing maternity care in a tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia
1
La Trobe University, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Bundoora, Australia
2
La Trobe University, Judith Lumley Centre, Bundoora, Australia
3
The Royal Women's Hospital, Maternity Services Research, Parkville, Australia
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A369
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Approximately 10% of women of childbearing age have a disability. Emerging evidence suggests women with disabilities face barriers to accessing quality maternity care, including communication difficulties, inaccessible environments and inadequate support. Further research is needed to understand their care experiences.
OBJECTIVES:
Explore the views and experiences of women with disabilities regarding their maternity care in a tertiary maternity hospital in Melbourne, Australia.
METHODS:
Women who self-identified with a disability were recruited in the postnatal unit and invited to complete a questionnaire when their infant was 12 weeks old. To ensure accessibility the questionnaire was available in a variety of formats (e.g. online, by telephone, hard copy, face-to-face). Frequencies and percentages describe quantitative data. Open-ended responses were analysed thematically.
RESULTS:
Data collection was from June 2024 to September 2025. By June 2025, of 40 completed surveys, women’s most common disability types were neurodiversity (19/40; 48%), psychosocial (12/40; 30%) and physical disabilities (10/40; 25%). More respondents rated their care during labour and birth as ‘good’ or ‘very good’ (79%; 30/38) compared with pregnancy (62%; 23/37) or postnatal care (63%; 24/38). Eighteen percent (7/38) received care in a midwifery continuity model. Women wanted continuity of care to ensure their needs were understood, and most (29/37, 78%) wanted to be involved in decisions about their care. Over one third (14/37, 38%) felt communication could have been better, almost a third (10/37; 27%) felt their individual preferences were not respected, and 42% (15/36) felt there were not enough supports in place when they were discharged.
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings highlight the need for inclusive coordinated maternity care that prioritises communication, continuity, and individualised support. Lower satisfaction with pregnancy care suggests gaps in the care continuum, emphasising the importance of involving women with disabilities in care planning from the outset.
KEY MESSAGE:
Women with disabilities need inclusive coordinated care with continuity of care. Woman centered 2 (including three-minute presentation competition)
Approximately 10% of women of childbearing age have a disability. Emerging evidence suggests women with disabilities face barriers to accessing quality maternity care, including communication difficulties, inaccessible environments and inadequate support. Further research is needed to understand their care experiences.
OBJECTIVES:
Explore the views and experiences of women with disabilities regarding their maternity care in a tertiary maternity hospital in Melbourne, Australia.
METHODS:
Women who self-identified with a disability were recruited in the postnatal unit and invited to complete a questionnaire when their infant was 12 weeks old. To ensure accessibility the questionnaire was available in a variety of formats (e.g. online, by telephone, hard copy, face-to-face). Frequencies and percentages describe quantitative data. Open-ended responses were analysed thematically.
RESULTS:
Data collection was from June 2024 to September 2025. By June 2025, of 40 completed surveys, women’s most common disability types were neurodiversity (19/40; 48%), psychosocial (12/40; 30%) and physical disabilities (10/40; 25%). More respondents rated their care during labour and birth as ‘good’ or ‘very good’ (79%; 30/38) compared with pregnancy (62%; 23/37) or postnatal care (63%; 24/38). Eighteen percent (7/38) received care in a midwifery continuity model. Women wanted continuity of care to ensure their needs were understood, and most (29/37, 78%) wanted to be involved in decisions about their care. Over one third (14/37, 38%) felt communication could have been better, almost a third (10/37; 27%) felt their individual preferences were not respected, and 42% (15/36) felt there were not enough supports in place when they were discharged.
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings highlight the need for inclusive coordinated maternity care that prioritises communication, continuity, and individualised support. Lower satisfaction with pregnancy care suggests gaps in the care continuum, emphasising the importance of involving women with disabilities in care planning from the outset.
KEY MESSAGE:
Women with disabilities need inclusive coordinated care with continuity of care. Woman centered 2 (including three-minute presentation competition)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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