title: Perinatal issues for women with high functioning autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an increasingly commonly diagnosed disability. People with ASD commonly report challenges in social interaction and a heightened sensory perception. These challenges may be particularly difficult for women during pregnancy, birthing and beyond.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Very little is known about the experiences and needs of birthing women who have ASD. There is a large body of literature about women who have autistic children, but almost nothing about women who may have this disability themselves. Internet blogs provide some insights and suggest that birthing women with ASD may have particular challenges related to communication, decision making and sensory overload.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study explores the particular issues and experiences of birthing women who have ASD, through pregnancy, birth and early mothering.
  
  
  METHODS
  This qualitative research used a case study approach, with in-depth interviewing and email exchange providing the data for the study. This data was verified, transcribed and analysed thematically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings of this case study identified three key issues: communication and service difficulties; sensory stress and parenting challenges.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that women with ASD may face particular challenges during pregnancy, birthing and early mothering. These challenges evolve from perceptions of the woman about her midwives and other caregivers. If a woman perceives that her midwife is judgemental about her, then she may withdraw from the care and support she and her baby need.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, the University of Southern Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Cath
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, the University of Southern Queensland, Australia; School of Medicine-Rural Clinical School, University of Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: Laurence.Lepherd@usq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lepherd
authors.affiliation: School of Linguistics, Adult and Specialist Education Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts, the University of Southern Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ganguly
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jacob-Rogers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Parenting; Perinatal