OBJECTIVE: To know how health care team members inform mothers that their newborns have disabilities. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive study. By conducting semi-structured interviews, data were collected from seven mothers whose children have disabilities and are provided care at Associação Pestalozzi in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil. The reports of the mothers were organized into theme units and categorized according to Bardin. RESULTS: Health professionals fail to inform mothers of the disabilities of their children in a clear manner; their professional approach is closed to dialogue and the information on the child's prospects is limiting and pessimistic. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: Health professionals must be prepared to disclose information to mothers, showing them the available possibilities of development for their children and providing the necessary attention to the feelings experienced by the parents, promoting their trust and confidence, and helping them to deal with their difficulties.
Disabled children; Maternal behavior; Mothers; Patient care team