Autistic People’s Perinatal Experiences II: A Survey of Childbirth and Postnatal Experiences

Qualitative accounts indicate there are sensory and communication related barriers to adequate childbirth and postnatal healthcare for autistic people. However, little quantitative work has explored the topic. This online survey study explored childbirth and postnatal experiences among 384 autistic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of autism and developmental disorders 2023-07, Vol.53 (7), p.2749-2763
Main Authors: Hampton, S., Allison, C., Baron-Cohen, S., Holt, R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autistic Disorder
Behavioral Science and Psychology
Birth
Breastfeeding & lactation
Cesarean section
Child and School Psychology
Childbirth
Childbirth & labor
Communication
Communication Strategies
Control Groups
Demographic aspects
Depression (Psychology)
Experience
Female
Females
Health care
Health Services
Humans
Intellectual disabilities
Learning disabilities
Maternal child nursing
Mental disorders
Mental Health
Midwifery
Mothers
Neurosciences
Original Paper
Pediatrics
Perinatal
Polls & surveys
Postnatal care
Postpartum depression
Postpartum period
Pregnancy
Premature birth
Psychological Patterns
Psychology
Public Health
Satisfaction
Sensory Experience
Stress Variables
Surveys
Womens health
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Summary:Qualitative accounts indicate there are sensory and communication related barriers to adequate childbirth and postnatal healthcare for autistic people. However, little quantitative work has explored the topic. This online survey study explored childbirth and postnatal experiences among 384 autistic and 492 non-autistic people. Compared with non-autistic people, autistic people were more likely to find the sensory aspects of birth overwhelming, and experienced lower satisfaction with birth-related and postnatal healthcare. Autistic people were more likely to experience postnatal depression and anxiety. The findings highlight that sensory and communication adjustments should be made to birth and postnatal healthcare for autistic people. The findings indicate the need for greater autism understanding among professionals and greater postnatal mental health support for autistic people.
ISSN:0162-3257
1573-3432
DOI:10.1007/s10803-022-05484-4