Date of Award

Spring 5-17-2025

Embargo Period

4-24-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Health Administration

Department

Health Administration

College

College of Health Professions

First Advisor

Daniel L. Brinton

Second Advisor

Caitlin Koob

Third Advisor

Robert F. Valois

Abstract

Women who are pregnant or planning to give birth deserve equitable resources, respect, and assurances to ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy, including women of childbearing age who are diagnosed with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD). These women are more likely to experience negative perinatal, delivery, and postpartum health outcomes (Tarasoff et al., 2020). Healthcare providers, clinicians, and the family and friends of those with IDD must understand the impact and implications of the prenatal and postpartum journey for this group of women. This comparative research examined 2021 birth outcomes of women in the United States with IDD compared to those without, as well as their demographics, birth complications, length of stay, and discharge disposition. The birthrates among women with IDD have increased over time, despite increased risks to birth outcomes. This research included an analysis of more than 114,000+ women with IDD, accounting for 16.5% of the 2021 NIS HCUP dataset. Births by women with IDD showed disparities across a multitude of variables including median household income, sterilization, geographic location (e.g. metro, rural), and race.

Rights

Copyright is held by the author. All rights reserved.

Download

Share

COinS