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A decade ago, when I went for pregnancy scans, the best attempt to involve me as a blind expectant mother was simply turning up the volume of the baby’s heartbeat. Fast forward to today, and the advancements in technology have introduced tactile 3D models derived from ultrasound scans, offering a unique sensory connection to unborn babies for visually impaired parents.
Reece Finnegan-Knight, who has been blind since his teenage years, recently became one of the first individuals to benefit from a 3D-printed model of his baby’s scan through a pilot program run by the charity Guide Dogs. During his wife Sophy’s 12-week scan, Reece found it difficult to feel involved despite her attempts to describe the images. He recalled feeling somewhat excluded when family and friends viewed the sonogram: “It felt like friends and family knew more about my baby than I did.” However, the experience improved with the 20-week scan, where detailed explanations by the sonographer made Reece feel more connected to the process. Now, with the model of their 20-week scan in hand, he shares, “I can’t stop feeling it to be honest… It just makes everything feel more real.”
Reflecting on my own journey through pregnancy and parenthood as someone partially sighted, I remember doing extensive research to prepare for the challenges ahead, from specialized apps to auditory tools designed for parents with visual impairments. Over time, the support network and innovative resources available have only grown. For example, Kim and Sean Randall, parents of a teenager and an 11-month-old, highlighted the difference technology has made since their first child’s birth 15 years ago. Kim explained how maternity notes are now accessible through apps compatible with screen readers, allowing her to independently check updates and test results rather than relying solely on information being read aloud. For ultrasound scans, Sean used an AI-driven screen-reading app to have measurements and images described, a technique some parents find more detailed compared to feeling a physical 3D model.
Visually impaired parents often face practical challenges beyond scans. Reece shared his efforts to prepare for their baby’s arrival by labeling clothes, adding Braille to baby books, and organizing the baby bag meticulously so that he always knows where everything is. Kim, who supports other blind mothers through online groups, has helped collect numerous practical tips over the years. These include carrying a folding mat for diaper changes, using barrier cream to prevent rashes—which can be difficult to detect by touch alone—and marking syringes and scoops to identify measurement levels. Additionally, choosing baby carriers or prams that can be pulled as well as pushed helps parents who use guide dogs or canes. Bells attached to toddler clothing can help keep track of children at home, while wipeable high chairs with waterproof mats make weaning less messy and easier to manage.
Adapting to parenting with visual impairment also means finding creative ways to ensure safety and ease in daily life. The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) offers guidance, such as using baby gates to secure hazardous areas like kitchens or hallways. For those with partial sight, dressing children in brightly colored clothing can aid spotting, while tactile clues on clothing help prevent mix-ups. Kim recalls dressing her child in a shirt featuring a castle design, saying, “One of my favorites is a shirt with a castle on it. You open the door and there’s a dragon inside.” For toddlers learning to walk, she used wrist straps to keep them close and safe. Personally, I found that pairing clothes with pegs and buying matching socks simplified the task of keeping outfits together, while cutting labels off some items helped distinguish between similarly textured but differently colored clothes
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