Pregnancy after amputation: A national survey of prosthetic and mobility outcomes in women with lived experience

Abstract

Background: In pregnancy, women with limb loss or deficiency or lower extremity amputations (LEAs) may experience physiologic changes affecting mobility, prosthesis use, and/or pain. However, little is known about the pregnancy-related experiences of these women. Objective: The objective of this research was to characterize pregnancy-related experiences including complications, impact on prosthesis use, gait aid use, and mobility for women with LEAs. Study Design: A national, self-administered online survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Thematic analyses were performed on open-ended questions. Participants were women with 1 or more LEA(s) who had been pregnant within the last 5 years and were recruited via social media, LEA clinics, and word of mouth. Results: Sixteen women from 4 Canadian provinces completed the survey describing 31 pregnancies. A total of 9 had acquired LEAs and 7 had congenital LEAs. All but 1 respondent had unilateral LEAs; most common level was transfemoral (38%). All wore a prosthesis daily and were K-level 4 ambulators. Five (31%) had to decrease or stop prosthesis use, and 6 (25%) required a gait aid or wheelchair during pregnancy. The most common pregnancy-associated complications were low back pain (64%), changes to limb size/prosthesis comfort (64%), reduced balance (44%), falls (38%), and postpartum depression (25%). Conclusion: This survey is the first to describe the many unique challenges women with LEAs may experience in pregnancy and highlights important information for women with LEAs, their health care providers, their rehabilitation team, and avenues for future research.