Conceptions of physically disabled women in terms of motherhood: an exploratory-descriptive study

Abstract

Problem: Women’s daily experiences in terms of their disability and their influence on their lives, on their families and in the social environment, interfere with important decisions such as motherhood. Aim: To understand the conceptions of physically disabled women in terms of their ability to gestate, give birth or raise a child. Method: This is an exploratory and descriptive study in which a qualitative approach was used, carried out with twelve (12) physically disabled women registered in three non-governmental organizations in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Brazil. Data collection occurred during the period from April to June 2014, by means of semi-structured interviews. A script consisting of socio-demographic questions and guiding question was used. The information obtained follows the precepts of Bardin’s content analysis, and makes use of the thematic analysis technique. The principles of Symbolic Interactionism proposed by Blumer and correlated scientific literature was adopted as a theoretical and methodological framework.