A lawyer for the family of a US woman who gave birth at a long-term care facility in Arizona in December has said she is not in a vegetative state as previously reported.

Key points: The woman who gave birth is not in a vegetative state but reportedly has "significant intellectual disabilities"

The woman who gave birth is not in a vegetative state but reportedly has "significant intellectual disabilities" Police have been collecting DNA samples from men who would have had contact with her

Police have been collecting DNA samples from men who would have had contact with her The victim and newborn have reportedly been recovering at a hospital

Lawyer John Micheaels said the 29-year-old woman has "significant intellectual disabilities" and does not speak but has some ability to move, respond to sounds and is able to make facial gestures, according to The Arizona Republic.

A statement released by San Carlos Apache Tribe officials earlier this month said the woman — a tribal member — gave birth at Hacienda HealthCare centre while in a vegetative state.

But Mr Micheaels denied those claims.

"The important thing here is that contrary to what's been reported, she is a person, albeit with significant intellectual disabilities," he told The Arizona Republic newspaper.

"She has feelings and is capable of responding to people she is familiar with, especially family."

Phoenix police have said the woman was the victim of a sexual assault at the long-term care facility and have disclosed little other information.

The woman gave birth to a baby boy on December 29 as staff at Hacienda HealthCare frantically called 911 for assistance, telling an operator that they had not known she was pregnant.

Police have been collecting DNA samples from male employees at the facility and any other men who could have had contact with the woman.

State regulatory officials have also launched investigations into the case.

Sorry, this video has expired 911 call reveals frantic moments after woman in coma gave birth

The victim and the newborn have reportedly been recovering at a hospital, but no information has been released about their conditions.

The woman's guardian, her mother, described her in a May 29 annual guardian report filed in court as "an incapacitated adult".

An attached doctor's report said the woman has a brain disorder, recurrent pneumonia, paralysis of the limbs and a seizure disorder, along with other conditions.

Hacienda spokesman David Leibowitz told the AP on Saturday that patient privacy laws precluded him from discussing the woman's condition.

The director of the long-term care facility has resigned and the company subsequently hired former Maricopa County lawyer Rick Romley to conduct an independent investigation into management procedures and patient safety.

AP