Eid miracle: Moms defy all odds to give birth safely

Meet the specialists helping disabled mothers give birth safely

Nadia is seven months pregnant, and so far she and the baby are doing well.

But pregnancy hasn't been easy - Nadia's been paraplegic since she was 14 years old, and uncertainties over how that will affect motherhood have been a constant cause of anxiety.

"If I'm on my own in the apartment, and he's sick…even with all the love in the world, I do think there's a risk or a worry there."

The Montsouris Institute here in Paris plans to help - it's the first in France to offer obstetric follow-ups for disabled women.

It was created in 2006 by Béatrice, herself wheelchair-bound due to a genetic disorder.

She's found it gives her an added point of contact with her patients.

"I can ask all these kinds of questions…Is she examining herself? Is she feeling listless? Other gynaecologists won't ask that."

And the biggest challenge comes after birth.

Salima, who's blind, has two children, and looking after them every day has been a steep learning curve.

"You're always a bit nervous in case you haven't done it right, in case you haven't washed them properly - you're always scared that you're not a good enough mother, really."

Yet her kids have adapted naturally - putting things into her hands instead of pointing at them, as they do with their father or teachers.

There are no figures on how many mothers like Salima there are across France - proof, they say, that they aren't a high priority for the authorities.

But with or without official help, they're determined to show that their differences don't matter…when it comes to giving their children the best start in life.

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Comments

  • Sarajess 31 August 2012 13:37 0 0
    These moms are heroes, and also did you hear about the mother that gave premature birth to a baby boy on plane on august 22nd... She's now ok and we hope that the baby will get better too.

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