Autistic women's experiences of the antenatal, intrapartum and early postnatal periods
Autistic women's experiences of the antenatal, intrapartum and early postnatal periods
Background/aims: autism is a neurodevelopmental disability affecting interpersonal communication and interaction, and has a prevalence of more than 1% of the population. This review aimed to identify what midwives in England can learn from studies exploring the experiences of autistic women in the antenatal, intrapartum and early postnatal periods.
Methods: a systematic literature search was conducted using seven electronic databases. Thematic analysis was performed, based on Braun and Clarke.
Results: three themes were found: autism diagnosis and disclosure, communication and interaction with healthcare professionals, babies and groups, and sensory difficulties.
Conclusions: autistic women experience many challenges during the antenatal, intrapartum and early postnatal periods, and it is clear that midwives in England should treat all women as an individual, asking about their specific needs and any adjustments that can be made to provide inclusive care.
Autism, Birth, Inclusion, Midwifery, Pregnancy, Reasonable adjustments
180-188
Stuart, Vikki
94384015-66d6-4b8c-9b23-0c036e8c3722
Kitson-Reynolds, Ellen
28b0a1aa-6f3c-4fed-bf0a-456fe5f5ca73
2 April 2024
Stuart, Vikki
94384015-66d6-4b8c-9b23-0c036e8c3722
Kitson-Reynolds, Ellen
28b0a1aa-6f3c-4fed-bf0a-456fe5f5ca73
Stuart, Vikki and Kitson-Reynolds, Ellen
(2024)
Autistic women's experiences of the antenatal, intrapartum and early postnatal periods.
British Journal of Midwifery, 32 (4), .
(doi:10.12968/bjom.2024.32.4.180).
Abstract
Background/aims: autism is a neurodevelopmental disability affecting interpersonal communication and interaction, and has a prevalence of more than 1% of the population. This review aimed to identify what midwives in England can learn from studies exploring the experiences of autistic women in the antenatal, intrapartum and early postnatal periods.
Methods: a systematic literature search was conducted using seven electronic databases. Thematic analysis was performed, based on Braun and Clarke.
Results: three themes were found: autism diagnosis and disclosure, communication and interaction with healthcare professionals, babies and groups, and sensory difficulties.
Conclusions: autistic women experience many challenges during the antenatal, intrapartum and early postnatal periods, and it is clear that midwives in England should treat all women as an individual, asking about their specific needs and any adjustments that can be made to provide inclusive care.
Text
Resubmission of anonymous manuscript V4
- Accepted Manuscript
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e-pub ahead of print date: 27 March 2024
Published date: 2 April 2024
Additional Information:
Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 MA Healthcare Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords:
Autism, Birth, Inclusion, Midwifery, Pregnancy, Reasonable adjustments
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 489233
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/489233
ISSN: 0969-4900
PURE UUID: 469a690c-a9dc-4f74-8292-73bff7a2b1d1
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Date deposited: 18 Apr 2024 16:36
Last modified: 01 Oct 2024 04:01
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Author:
Vikki Stuart
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