Tue 1 May, 2007
Managing Multiple Sclerosis and Motherhood
Women's stories
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system with wide-ranging effects. It is a condition that most commonly affects women of childbearing age. Until recently, women with MS were discouraged from becoming mothers but studies have found that pregnancy and birth do not negatively affect the course of MS.
There is a lack of research about MS in the New Zealand context and, in particular, about women who have MS and their experiences of becoming mothers. This research project explored the nature of pregnancy, birth and mothering young children for women with MS, and marked an important beginning to research about disabled women’s experiences of motherhood in New Zealand.
Nine women with MS, who had become mothers in the past five years, were interviewed individually about their experiences of pregnancy, birth and mothering children up to the age of five years. Interpretive analysis of the interviews identified seven themes:
- The variability of MS
- Thinking of oneself as a ‘normal’ mother – putting MS in the background
- Having a baby – a public private experience
- Medications – keeping the baby safe
- Support – anticipating and preventing relapses, and dealing with MS
- Conserving energy
- Being the ‘ideal’ mother
This study challenges apparent attitudes, beliefs and actions that may be ‘disabling’ to women with MS. It recommends actions that could be taken to encourage and educate for a nondisabling society for women and their families, as called for in the New Zealand Disability Strategy (Ministry of Health, 2001). The study has identified ways to address other aspects of the strategy by highlighting ways to support lifestyle choices, recreation and culture for disabled people; promote participation of disabled women in order to improve their quality of life; and value families, whānau and people providing ongoing support.
