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Autistic Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond

A collaborative project

Autistic Parents UK is proud to have partnered with Dr Aimee Grant from Swansea University, Autistic UK, and the Research Wales Innovation Fund to address a critical gap in understanding the experiences of Autistic parents throughout pregnancy, birth, and the early postnatal period.

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Why This Matters

Historically, research focused on Autistic parenting experiences has been limited. This lack of information hinders healthcare professionals from providing tailored support and can intensify feelings of isolation for Autistic parents.

Our Key Contributions

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  • Identifying Real-World Needs: We worked closely with the project partners to ensure the project addressed the most pressing questions and challenges faced by Autistic parents. This helped guarantee the resulting resources would be genuinely relevant and impactful.

  • Sharing Authentic Perspectives: Our team's lived experiences as Autistic parents were integral to the video series. We provided firsthand insights, fostering a sense of understanding and relatability for viewers.

  • Multidisciplinary Expertise: Our team's diverse professional backgrounds, including breastfeeding counsellors, antenatal and postnatal educators, a lactation consultant, researchers, and social workers, enriched the project. We offered specialised knowledge to guide the content and ensure its accuracy.

  • Community Outreach: We played a vital role in promoting participation among Autistic parents, ensuring the project captured a wide range of experiences and perspectives.

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The "Your Questions Answered" Resource

The "Autistic Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond: Your Questions Answered" video series is a unique and invaluable resource designed and created by Autistic people. It tackles 15 key topic areas, offering:

  • Practical Guidance: Advice on navigating healthcare appointments, managing sensory sensitivities, and understanding the physical changes of pregnancy and the postpartum period.

  • Strategies for Communication: Tips for effective communication with medical professionals, family, and support networks tailored to Autistic communication styles.

  • Community and Validation: A powerful reminder for Autistic parents that they are not alone in their experiences.

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Please read what Dr Aimee Grant has said about the project here and see the playlists on the Autism: from menstruation to menopause YouTube channel below.

Experiencing morning (noon and night) sickness in pregnancy | Cathy Jackson
03:14

Experiencing morning (noon and night) sickness in pregnancy | Cathy Jackson

Cathy Jackson is an Autistic parent. In this video, Cathy discusses what she calls “morning, noon and night sickness” throughout her pregnancies. She notes some of the changes she experienced because of this. including changing what food she liked and disliked, and increasing the amount she ate as a coping mechanism. 00:00 “Morning, noon and night sickness” 01:11 Linked to hunger 02:39 Other side effects This video is part of a series created for Autistic Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond: Your Questions Answered, in collaboration with Swansea University, APUK, MARG and HEFCW. All content was developed by Autistic people, both from a professional and a personal perspective. #ActuallyAutistic #AutismSupport #Autism #AutisticPregnancy #AutisticParenting
Feeling your baby’s movements during pregnancy | Cathy Jackson
03:09

Feeling your baby’s movements during pregnancy | Cathy Jackson

Cathy Jackson is an Autistic parent. In this video, Cathy discusses one of her most positive experiences of pregnancy – feeling her baby moving in her womb. She discusses her increased feelings of interoception (the sense of what is happening in one’s body), what the movement might feel like and why she enjoyed it. 00:00 Strong interoception 00:50 How movements benefited Cathy 01:48 What it feels like This video is part of a series created for Autistic Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond: Your Questions Answered, in collaboration with Swansea University, APUK, MARG and HEFCW. All content was developed by Autistic people, both from a professional and a personal perspective. #ActuallyAutistic #AutismSupport #Autism #AutisticPregnancy #AutisticParenting
Early Pregnancy Unit: an Autistic person’s perspective  | Aimee Grant
04:42

Early Pregnancy Unit: an Autistic person’s perspective  | Aimee Grant

Aimee Grant is an Autistic academic researcher. In this video they discuss their experience of attending the Early Pregnancy Unit for an ectopic pregnancy. Trigger warnings: Pregnancy-related issues, miscarriage. 00:00 Experience of the Early Pregnancy Unit 00:36 Arrival 01:24 Consultation 02:50 Staying at the unit 03:40 Surgery and experiences of the ward This video is part of a series created for Autistic Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond: Your Questions Answered, in collaboration with Swansea University, APUK, MARG and HEFCW. All content was developed by Autistic people, both from a professional and a personal perspective. #ActuallyAutistic #AutismSupport #Autism #AutisticPregnancy #EarlyPregnancyUnit
Your rights during birth | Alexis Quinn
03:23

Your rights during birth | Alexis Quinn

Alexis Quinn is a Psychotherapist and an Autistic parent. In this video, Alexis reinforces that Autistic parents have a right to make informed decisions and to give or withdraw consent throughout birth and other maternity care. 00:20 You have a right to make decisions about your body 01:35 Providing consent 02:11 Being listened to 02:26 The right to reasonable adjustments 03:01 Decisions made with you. This video is part of a series created for Autistic Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond: Your Questions Answered, in collaboration with Swansea University, APUK, MARG and HEFCW. All content was developed by Autistic people, both from a professional and a personal perspective. #ActuallyAutistic #AutismSupport #Autism #AutisticPregnancy #AutisticParenting
Giving birth at home | Ruth Jenks
03:12

Giving birth at home | Ruth Jenks

Ruth Jenks is an Autistic Antenatal Educator. In this video, Ruth discusses the potential benefits of giving birth at home for Autistic people, for example feeling more control over your sensory environment, including external involvement, lights, sounds and access to safe foods. Ruth references the following studies: This Birth Place Study (2015) https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/birthplace/birthplace-follow-on-study The Lancet paper (2020) https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/eclinm/PIIS2589-5370(20)30063-8.pdf 00:36 Autistic specific benefits of home birth. 01:46 Sensory environment autonomy This video is part of a series created for Autistic Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond: Your Questions Answered, in collaboration with Swansea University, APUK, MARG and HEFCW. All content was developed by Autistic people, both from a professional and a personal perspective. #ActuallyAutistic #AutismSupport #Autism #AutisticPregnancy #AutisticParenting
After pains: an introduction | Brianna Dymond
01:19

After pains: an introduction | Brianna Dymond

Brianna Dymond is an Autistic parent and lactation consultant (IBCLC). In this video she discusses after pains following birth, why they occur and things that might help Autistic people to cope with after pains including: breathing techniques, warmth, and movement. Content warning: pain. 00:00 What are after pains? 00:37 Pain management 00:45 Coping with after pains This video is part of a series created for Autistic Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond: Your Questions Answered, in collaboration with Swansea University, APUK, MARG and HEFCW. All content was developed by Autistic people, both from a professional and a personal perspective. #ActuallyAutistic #AutismSupport #Autism #AutisticPregnancy #AutisticParenting #AfterBirthPain
Pains after giving birth (“after pains”): an Autistic parent’s perspective | Willow Holloway
03:41

Pains after giving birth (“after pains”): an Autistic parent’s perspective | Willow Holloway

Willow Holloway is an Autistic parent and executive director of Autistic UK. In this video, she speaks about the intensity of the pelvic pain she felt after birth (sometimes called “after pains”) and how these were responded to by health professionals. Willow also gives tips for adapting to these pains and when to seek advice from a health professional. 01:02 Soothing pains 01:51 Breastfeeding pains 02:28 "Getting worse" with every pregnancy 02:41 Seeking advice This video is part of a series created for Autistic Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond: Your Questions Answered, in collaboration with Swansea University, APUK, MARG and HEFCW. All content was developed by Autistic people, both from a professional and a personal perspective. #ActuallyAutistic #AutismSupport #Autism #AutisticPregnancy #AutisticParenting
“Tears” during birth, the post-birth examination and repairing tears with stitches | Karen Henry
07:28

“Tears” during birth, the post-birth examination and repairing tears with stitches | Karen Henry

Karen Henry is an Autistic registered midwife and lecturer. In this video she discusses tears to the genitals (vagina and perinium) during birth. Karen describes the processes involved in vaginal and rectal examinations which are done after birth. She also details the suturing (“stitches”) process that will be followed if a tear is present. Karen also discusses pain relief available and coping mechanisms for dealing with this type of examination and stitches. 00:36 Examination following birth 02:13 Types of tear 03:31 Repairing tears 05:04 Aftercare of stitches This video is part of a series created for Autistic Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond: Your Questions Answered, in collaboration with Swansea University, APUK, MARG and HEFCW. All content was developed by Autistic people, both from a professional and a personal perspective. #ActuallyAutistic #AutismSupport #Autism #AutisticPregnancy #AutisticParenting
What treatment is available for ectopic pregnancies in the UK? | Aimee Grant
05:14

What treatment is available for ectopic pregnancies in the UK? | Aimee Grant

Aimee Grant is an Autistic academic researcher. In this video, they discuss treatment for an ectopic pregnancy (a fetus that develops outside the uterus). She also outlines potential symptoms, how to seek support and what options there are for treatment. She reinforces the importance of seeking help if you think you are experiencing an ectopic pregnancy. Trigger warnings: pregnancy-related issues, surgical procedures. 00:00 Signs of an ectopic pregnancy 00:48 Fallopian rupture 01:14 What to do if you may be having an ectopic pregnancy 02:08 What happens in hospital for this 02:27 Treatment options This video is part of a series created for Autistic Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond: Your Questions Answered, in collaboration with Swansea University, APUK, MARG and HEFCW. All content was developed by Autistic people, both from a professional and a personal perspective. #ActuallyAutistic #AutismSupport #Autism #AutisticPregnancy #EctopicPregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy: an Autistic person’s perspective | Aimee Grant
04:13

Ectopic pregnancy: an Autistic person’s perspective | Aimee Grant

Aimee Grant is an Autistic academic researcher. In this video, she discusses her experiences of the Early Pregnancy Unit during the COVID-19 pandemic. She adds tips about what to bring to help with waiting times and sensory sensitivities. Trigger warnings: Pregnancy-related issues, mention of miscarriage, medical and surgical procedures and Autistic meltdown. 01:06 Phoning the Maternity Unit 01:26 Contacting a GP 02:45 Organising a private scan 03:39 Access support This video is part of a series created for Autistic Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond: Your Questions Answered, in collaboration with Swansea University, APUK, MARG and HEFCW. All content was developed by Autistic people, both from a professional and a personal perspective. #ActuallyAutistic #AutismSupport #Autism #AutisticPregnancy #EctopicPregnancy
Bleeding when pregnant: how much is too much? | Diane Fox
04:01

Bleeding when pregnant: how much is too much? | Diane Fox

Diane Fox is an Autism Specialist Midwife. She talks about what to do when you are pregnant if you start bleeding from your vagina. Diane describes who you will speak to, what they will ask and some of the actions that may be taken. She discusses bleeding throughout pregnancy and after birth. Trigger warning: blood, pregnancy complications. 00:26 - Early pregnancy bleeding 01:45 - Later pregnancy bleeding 02:04 - Phoning the hospital 02:31 - Bleeding in labour 02:58 - Post-birth blood loss This video is part of a series created for Autistic Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond: Your Questions Answered, in collaboration with Swansea University, APUK, MARG and HEFCW. All content was developed by Autistic people, both from a professional and a personal perspective. #ActuallyAutistic #AutismSupport #Autism #AutisticPregnancy #AutisticParenting

Impact

With over 100 videos, this resource provides both Autistic parents and healthcare professionals with essential knowledge. We are proud to have helped create this comprehensive guide that has the potential to improve birth experiences, reduce stress, and build a stronger support system for Autistic parents.

 

We are committed to sharing this groundbreaking resource and advocating for the unique needs of Autistic parents throughout their journeys.

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