Resources, relationships, and resilience: The psychosocial experiences of women with lower limb absence during pregnancy and postpartum

Background There is limited research on the unique needs of women with lower limb absence (LLA) during pregnancy and postpartum. The lack of information can negatively impact women's physical and emotional experiences. Objective The purpose of this study is to explore the psychosocial experiences of individuals with LLA through the pregnancy and postpartum periods, and to provide information to women and health care providers (HCPs) on what they can expect. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 women with LLA who had been pregnant in the previous 10 years. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Participants experienced uncertainty due to a lack of information and limited resources related to pregnancy and LLA. While most women had strong support networks including family, other mothers with LLA and HCPs, some women faced stigma or judgement from HCPs and people in their social networks. Some women had periods where they struggled mentally due to a temporary loss of independence. Despite these challenges, they demonstrated tremendous resilience and noted that their ability to adapt helped them to navigate the difficulties they experienced in the perinatal period (PNP). Conclusion There is an immediate need to fill the ‘information gap’ about pregnancy and LLA. We recommend the development of support networks, informational guidelines, and further education for HCPs to better support women with LLA through the PNP. Further research is warranted to gain a better understanding of the mental health experiences of women with LLA in the PNP.