ERIC Number: EJ1465371
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Feb
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Understanding the Experiences of Receiving and Providing Maternity Care for Autistic Adults: A Multi-Perspectival Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Study
Laura Moore; Sarah Foley; Fionnuala Larkin
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v29 n2 p435-446 2025
Available research suggests autistic mothers experience greater dissatisfaction with maternity care compared to non-autistic mothers. Limited research exists exploring autistic mothers' experiences of maternity care, and no research to date has considered maternity care professionals' experiences of delivering care to autistic mothers. This qualitative study aims to explore the experiences of receiving and providing maternity care for autistic mothers. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with four autistic mothers and four midwives. Data were analysed using Multi-perspectival Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three overarching themes emerged: 'challenges faced within maternity care, 'the importance of the caring relationship', and 'the challenge of navigating competing demands and priorities'. Findings highlight the unique challenges experienced by autistic mothers during labour and birth, the need for increased autism awareness in midwifery, and further suggest universal changes to the delivery of maternity care which would benefit autistic women.
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Mothers, Birth, Barriers, Caring, Allied Health Personnel, Obstetrics, Hospitals, Interpersonal Communication, Experience, Needs, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Clinics, Perceptual Impairments, Interpersonal Relationship, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom; Ireland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A