Autistic People's Perinatal Experiences II: A Survey of Childbirth and Postnatal Experiences.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Hampton, S., ; Allison, C.; Baron-Cohen, S.; Holt, R.
- Source
- Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders; Jul2023, Vol. 53 Issue 7, p2749-2763, 15p, 6 Charts
- Subject
- Autism
Communication
People with disabilities
Anxiety
Maternal health services
Childbirth
Postpartum depression
Social support
Psychology of mothers
Quantitative research
Patient satisfaction
Mental health
Patients' attitudes
Motherhood
Research funding
Postnatal care
- Language
- ISSN
- 01623257
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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]