From Perceived Incapacity to Adaptive Motherhood: Lived Experiences of Pregnancy and Motherhood Among Women with Physical Disabilities in India

Women with disabilities in India encounter unique sociocultural and systemic challenges during pregnancy; however, their voices remain largely underrepresented in maternal health research and policy. This qualitative study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to explore the perinatal lived experiences of women with physical disabilities. Findings revealed that women with disabilities experienced significant emotional challenges, as their identity and maternal capacity were frequently questioned by society and family members and were internalized by the women themselves, alongside barriers within healthcare systems. These findings underscore the need for stigma reduction, disability-sensitive provider training, and disability inclusive infrastructure to ensure equitable and dignified maternal healthcare.