Objective: this research was undertaken to explore the perceptions of two multiprofessional teams in Irish hospitals as to how maternity services to these mothers can be improved.
Participants: nineteen health-care professionals from midwifery, social work and public health nursing were recruited.
Setting: two from two major maternity hospitals, one in the North and one in the South of Ireland. were featured.
Design: the method chosen was a qualitative approach, using focus group interviews in which case studies depicting a range and breadth of women's birthing experiences were presented and discussed. six stage approach to thematic content analysis was used.
Findings: the professionals found the disabled women's stories believable, upsetting and challenging.
Key conclusions: Staff acknowledged their ¡®lack of competence, knowledge and skill¡¯ regarding disability and felt that, on reflection, their failure to consult and collaborate with disabled women contributed to their failing to provide individualised woman centred care to women with a disability.
Implications of practice: A series of recommendations for improved practice was agreed.