Journal on Developmental Disabilities
Le journal sur les handicaps du développement

Abstract

There has been extensive research into the areas of transition to parenthood, psychological processes during pregnancy, and having a child with disabilities. However, a much-needed topic of study is that of the unique experience which combines these three areas - pregnancy and parenting subsequent to having a child with disabilities. Understanding this experience, for example pregnancy after having a child with Down syndrome (DS), is important both from theoretical and clinical perspectives. Extending the knowledge and understanding of the experience of families who have a member with developmental disabilities must remain a continuing goal in order to offer appropriate services to these families. The present report describes the preliminary and partial results of a study undertaken to investigate some of the psychological processes during pregnancy in three groups of mothers: expecting their first child (FT; n=171); expecting subsequent to a typically developing child (TS; n=50); and, expecting subsequent to a child with Down syndrome (DS; n=11). The preliminary results described here pertain mainly to the group of mothers of children with DS who are expecting again. Established scales were used to measure prenatal attachment, empathy, and cognitive adaptation to stresses of pregnancy. As well, quantitative data were obtained for a number of issues using 10-point rating scales, and several open-ended questions were analyzed by identifying recurring themes. Although there were no significant group differences on any of the main measures, the correlations amongst the variables were significantly different for the DS group. This finding implies that the DS group is reacting to and describing their pregnancies differently. This should be taken into consideration when services are provided by the medical and social service community.

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