For parents with disability or health needs

Help with emotional challenges and getting the right support if you have disability or health problems.

Pregnancy and parenting with disability or health needs

Being a parent is life-changing and comes with different emotional challenges. If you're living with a long term illness, disability, or other health challenges, there are many supports that can help you and your baby be happy and healthy.

Common worries with long term illness

If you have a long term illness, you might worry about:

pregnancy or birth complications
taking the right medicines during pregnancy or breastfeeding
not having enough energy or being too sick to care for your baby
giving your baby the care you want them to have.

Common worries with disability

If you have a physical or sensory disability, you might worry about:

being unable to give your baby the care you want them to have, for example if you can't hold your baby the way you'd like to
not knowing when your baby needs something or is in danger, for example, if you can't see or hear them crying
feeling overwhelmed by the sights, sounds or smells of a baby (sensory overload)
barriers to accessing playgroups or support services.

Learn more about parenting with physical disability on the Raising Children website.

If your disability affects your thinking or learning you might worry about:

organising or planning care for your baby
understanding instructions or doing complex jobs
people thinking you might not be able to cope with caring for a baby
people wanting to take your baby away.

Learn more about parenting with an intellectual disability on the Raising Children website.

Mental illness and other mental health challenges can also be a form of disability. Learn more about support if you have existing mental health challenges.

The Gidget Foundation also explains what parenting with disability is like and who to ask for support.

Your support options

Living with disability or health challenges often builds skills that parents need, such as being strong, understanding and supportive.

Where you need more help, support can include things like:

making a plan with your GP if you're thinking about having a baby or become pregnant
having a plan for your wellbeing
knowing who will support you if you become unwell or need help caring for your baby
connecting with aunties, uncles, grandparents and Elders to support your role as a parent
planning for equipment or changes at home that make it safer and easier to care for your baby
making sure that people involved in your care share information with your pregnancy care provider
getting government and financial support if you have an illness or disability
learning about raising a child so you know what you need to do, this might include yarning with family members or online information sources
finding people, groups and services who can support you and your family
linking with NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) to help you with activities of daily living
getting help from a disability advocate to support your parenting journey.

It might be harder to ask for help if you feel like others don't understand your challenges. Talking to someone about what help you need and how to get support can be a good first step. That might be your family, friends, connecting with community or yarning with an Elder. It could also be a helpline or online support network.

If you're thinking about getting support, you can talk to your GP, midwife or another health professional. There are also people and groups who can speak up for you and help you find support.

In a crisis or emergency

If you're having thoughts about harming yourself or your child, or you feel unable to cope, call:

For help with domestic, family and sexual violence call 1800 737 732. You can also talk to someone online, by text message or video call on the 1800RESPECT website.

Services that can support you

Search our directory to connect with perinatal mental health supports and services.

You can also find specific help for people with disability and health needs on the following websites.

Last updated:: 15 September 2026