Pregnancy and learning disabilities
For women with learning disabilities, the right to have a child can be complicated. Explore the considerations with regards to capacity to understand pregnancy and the key features of good practice when working with parents with learning disabilities.
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Resource
Available to RCN members
Who is this resource for?
This resource is aimed at nurses and nursing support workers across all settings and levels of practice, including students of health, social work and care professions.
What will this resource give me?
- overview of safeguarding considerations to be acknowledged
- statistics on the number of parents which a learning disability and children removed from care
- resources and guidelines on supporting best practice once a woman becomes pregnant
- the five key features of good practice in working with parents with learning disabilities
- understanding the differing abilities of women when it comes to making informed decisions, needing additional support, and capacity to consent
- link to guidance on the procedure for assessing and responding to the impact of parental mental ill health on children
- access to further advice and information on pregnancy and learning disability.
Resource last reviewed
15 Jul 2024
Resource lead
The RCN delivers quality-assured and up-to-date resources for the nursing workforce. Reviewed annually in line with the RCN Quality Assurance policy, all RCN Learn resources meet the RCN’s Nine Quality Standards.
