Forbidden option or planned decision? Physically disabled women’s narratives on the choice of motherhood

Table 1.

PseudonameAgeChildren’s agesMarital statusJenna318, 5MarriedKerttu372SingleKaarina4724, 22, 15MarriedTeija313MarriedTaina5730DivorcedAnja4315CohabitingHelena418, 6, 3MarriedSinikka466, 3MarriedMarjatta5527, 23MarriedMerja3412, 7DivorcedSaara4115, 11, 8Married

Table 2.

The actantMotherhood as a compensationMotherhood as a forbidden optionMotherhood as a planned choiceThe subjectA woman searching for a purpose in lifeA women as a victim of circumstancesA woman as an autonomic agentThe objectA choice of motherhoodA choice of motherhoodA choice of motherhoodThe senderFeeling of incompletenessCoincidence, chanceStrong willThe helperGood relationship with the partnerUnderstanding professionalsGood relationship with the partnerThe villainDisabling environmental attitudesDisabling environmental attitudes, negative sense of selfDisabling environmental attitudes, health restrictionsThe receiverBecoming a mother
EmpowermentBecoming a mother
IntegrityBecoming a mother
Coping in everyday life