Accessible Pregnancy Action Plans
Planning for pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood with a body (or brain) that doesn't follow the usual rules
Accessible Pregnancy Action Plans (APAPs) help disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent people prepare for pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood by identifying what matters most, planning for support and accommodations, and creating a roadmap for communicating their needs.
Facilitated by Erica Evans, disabled parent, National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, and APAP facilitator.
At a Glance
- Who it’s for: Disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent people who are pregnant or considering pregnancy
- Format: 4 virtual sessions
- Focus: Pregnancy planning, labor and birth planning, hospital/birth center/place of birth accommodations, postpartum planning, communication, and advocacy
- Includes: Personalized Accessible Pregnancy Action Plan one-pager and longer written document
- Investment: Sliding scale $550-$750
- Location: Virtual
What is an APAP?
Accessible Pregnancy Action Plans (APAPs) were developed by the National Center for Disability and Pregnancy Research to support disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent people as they prepare for pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood and are facilitated by disabled parent facilitators.
An APAP is both a process and a practical planning document.
Through a series of guided conversations, participants:
- Identify what matters most to them
- Explore accommodations and supports that may be helpful during pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood
- Clarify who is on their support team and what role each person will play
- Anticipate potential challenges and create contingency plans
- Develop a personalized plan for communicating their needs with healthcare providers, doulas, family members, and other supporters
One of the core questions throughout the process is: What matters most to you?
The plan is built around your priorities, values, body, needs, and circumstances—not someone else’s idea of what pregnancy, birth, and postpartum should look like
You might benefit from an APAP if...
- You’re wondering how pregnancy or the transition to parenthood will work with your disability, chronic illness, or neurodivergence.
- You anticipate needing accommodations during pregnancy, birth, hospitalization, or postpartum.
- You’ve had difficult experiences with healthcare providers in the past.
- You feel like most pregnancy advice wasn’t written with people like you in mind.
- You’re worried about how you’ll manage the practical realities of pregnancy and early parenthood.
- You want a structured process for planning, communication, and advocacy.
- You want support identifying resources, accommodations, and supports before challenges arise.
How is this different from a birth plan?
A birth plan typically focuses on preferences for labor, delivery, and the immediate postpartum period. An APAP takes a broader view covering accessibility and communication needs, capacity, support systems, and advocacy across pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. .
APAPs also acknowledge the reality that many disabled people encounter stigma, ableism, and barriers in healthcare settings and create space to proactively prepare for and navigate those experiences.
Many participants find that an APAP complements rather than replaces a traditional birth plan.
Why I offer APAPs
I participated in the APAP process during my own pregnancy in 2023 as one of the first participants in the pilot project while the intervention was being developed. At the time, I was navigating pregnancy as a disabled person and trying to think through questions that many traditional pregnancy resources never addressed: What supports would I need? What accommodations might help? How would I communicate those needs to my providers and support team?
As a disabled expectant parent myself, I found the process invaluable for clarifying my priorities, preparing for challenges, communicating my needs, and navigating pregnancy and birth with greater confidence.
That experience is part of what I bring to you in this work. I know what it’s like to sit with those questions and not know where or how to start, and I know what it feels like to come out the other side with a plan that actually accounts for your real life.
What's Included
- Overview of the APAP
- Exploring your pregnancy story
- Identifying what matters most to you during pregnancy
- Discussing accommodations, supports, and accessibility needs during pregnancy
- Planning communication with providers and support people
- Identifying priorities for labor and birth
- Planning support team roles
- Discussing labor and birth accommodations
- Hospital/birth center/place of birth accessibility planning
- Communication and advocacy strategies
- Discussing disability-related stigma and barriers
- Planning for the immediate postpartum and early days at home
- Identifying formal and informal supports
- Strengthening self-advocacy and confidence
- Finalizing your Accessible Pregnancy Action Plan documents
- Reflecting on your birth and postpartum experience
- Reviewing what worked and what did not
- Identifying ongoing support needs
- Connecting with resources for the next phase of parenting
- Personalized Accessible Pregnancy Action Plan
- Written documentation of identified supports and accommodations
- Resource recommendations tailored to your needs
- Virtual appointments for ease of access from your own home
Accessibility
I want this process to be as accessible as possible. If you have access needs or communication preferences, please let me know and we’ll discuss how I can best support your participation.
Investment
Managed Sliding Scale
I offer a managed sliding scale to help make this work accessible while also ensuring it remains sustainable. Payment plans are available. Please choose the tier that best reflects your current circumstances. No explanation or documentation is required.
Community Rate — $550
For those who struggle to consistently meet basic needs and for whom paying for this service would otherwise be a significant hardship. Basic needs include food, housing, healthcare, and transportation.
Sustaining Rate — $650
For those who are able to meet their basic needs but have limited expendable income. Paying for this service may require some sacrifice but would not create hardship.
Actual Cost — $750
Reflects the true cost of providing this service.
Pay-it-forward Rate — $850
For those who are able to contribute above the actual cost of the service. The additional amount helps offset the reduced-cost Community and Sustaining Rate tiers, making the sliding scale possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Accessible Pregnancy Action Plan (APAP) framework was originally developed for use during pregnancy and focuses on planning for pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. Many people find the process most useful during pregnancy, when they have a clearer sense of their needs, support system, and care team.
However, some people who are actively trying to conceive or planning for a future pregnancy may also benefit from beginning parts of the planning process earlier. If you’re not currently pregnant, feel free to reach out and we can discuss whether an APAP or another type of support would be the best fit for your situation.
Absolutely! APAPs complement doula care by focusing specifically on disability-related planning, accommodations, support systems, communication, and advocacy.
That’s completely normal. Part of the APAP process is exploring possibilities together and identifying supports you may not have considered.
No. APAP facilitation is not therapy, medical care, or legal advice. It is a structured planning and support process designed to help you prepare for pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood.
Questions?
If you’re wondering whether an APAP is right for you, I’d be happy to talk. Email me at hello@ericaevans.com or click the button below to schedule a call.
Referrals Welcome
I welcome referrals from:
- Doulas
- Midwives
- Lactation consultants
- Therapists
- Physicians
- Social workers
- Disability service providers
APAPs are designed to complement medical care, childbirth education, and/or doula support—not replace them.