For the first time in Ukraine, a sociological study comprehensively examining the reproductive experiences of women with disabilities has been presented. The authors — Viktoriia Luchka, head of the NGO Safe Birth, and Hanna Zaremba-Kosovych, PhD in Sociology and researcher at the Institute of Ethnology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine — collected stories from 14 women across different regions. Unfortunately, stereotypes still dominate Ukrainian society, forcing women to defend their right to motherhood even within hospital walls.
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Physical and informational barriers
Many participants recalled difficulties in accessing medical services. Pregnant women often had to be carried by hand to doctors’ offices due to the lack of elevators. Despite official claims about architectural accessibility and the presence of specialized equipment, the women’s experiences prove otherwise. “I couldn’t get to the ultrasound until two men carried me upstairs because there were stairs and no elevator… They had to be careful, because I was pregnant. God forbid I fell,” one respondent shared.
Another major challenge is the lack of adapted information. For women with visual or hearing impairments, access to instructions, test results, or even basic explanations from doctors is severely limited. This reinforces a sense of dependency and mistrust toward the medical system.
Lack of sex education
Most respondents grew up without receiving basic knowledge about their bodies, contraception, or reproductive health. For some, pregnancy came as a surprise, and several women spoke of experiencing violence. The absence of systematic sex education and the tabooing of the topic in families and schools leads to a deep misunderstanding of one’s own rights and possibilities.
Prejudices and fears
Society often views women with disabilities through a double lens: on the one hand, they are discouraged from motherhood, and on the other — pressured with expectations to “fulfill themselves as women.” “A woman who has not experienced motherhood is not considered a complete woman,” said one respondent. At the same time, doctors sometimes persuaded women to have abortions, even appealing to the parents of pregnant women. Many described strong fears surrounding pregnancy and childbirth. Some hid their pregnancies from relatives, fearing judgment or pressure to terminate. In hospitals, they were sometimes confronted with grim predictions that the child “would not survive” or “would be born with pathologies,” creating severe emotional strain.
Under close scrutiny
The childbirth experiences varied. Some women faced entire medical councils and excessive attention, while others encountered indifference or even outright refusal to deliver their babies.
After childbirth, women with disabilities often face new challenges — biased attitudes from medical staff or social services. They are sometimes persuaded to give up their child or subjected to inspections to determine whether they can keep their homes clean. Such practices reinforce stigmatization instead of offering genuine support.
Despite these difficulties, the women’s stories show that with family support, accessible information, and humane treatment by doctors, they can successfully exercise their right to motherhood. The authors of the study recommend introducing the principle of continuity of care, fostering partnerships between medical professionals and women, and training staff in proper communication. This is not only about medical standards but also about shifting attitudes — from prejudice and stereotypes to respect and equality.
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