Understanding and Supporting Pregnancy Decision-Making among Women with Developmental Disabilities that Affect Cognition

Katherine McDonald (PH) PI, Oregon Health Sciences University / NIH, sub-award, 9/1/21-8/31/26.

Pregnancies among women with developmental disabilities that affect cognition are often unplanned, which may contribute to their elevated rates of adverse outcomes. These women have limited reproductive knowledge, face substantial barriers to preconception care, are rarely engaged as active participants in reproductive decision-making, and are frequently discouraged from considering pregnancy or motherhood. This combination of disadvantages leaves them ill-prepared to make informed decisions about pregnancy planning and places them at risk of unintended pregnancies and adverse outcomes. Interactive web-based decision aids can help individuals with healthcare and health behavior choices. In collaboration with women with developmental disabilities that affect cognition, we will assess needs and determinants of pregnancy planning decisions among women with developmental disabilities that affect cognition and develop an accessible pregnancy decision support tool.