Neurodivergent and Navigating Pregnancy

Pregnancy and Birth with a Neurodivergent Brain: Practical Support for Every Step

Welcome. If you’re autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, dyspraxic, or have sensory processing differences, you might feel like the typical pregnancy advice just doesn’t speak to you. That’s okay. You don’t need to change who you are; you need support that works for your brain and body. This page is here to help.

Getting Ready for Appointments

Appointments can feel intense. Lots of information, strange rooms, and people talking fast. Here’s how to make them work better for you:

Before you go:

• Write down your key questions and symptoms (it’s okay to read from a list).
• Use an appointment checklist.
• Take a sensory kit: headphones, a familiar smell, sunglasses, and a stim toy.

While you’re there:

• Ask for things to be explained slowly or in writing.
• You can say: “I’m neurodivergent and I find verbal information hard to process. Can I have that in writing?”
• Bring someone with you if it helps.
• Record your appointments on your phone using a voice memo app.

Afterwards:

• Give yourself downtime to recover.
• Use notes or a voice memo app to record what happened before you forget.

 

Sensory Planning for Birth

Birth is intense in every sense, and thinking ahead can help you stay grounded.

Your Sensory Birth Plan Might Include:

• Dimmed lights or eye mask
• Quiet room or music playlist
• No perfume/scented products
• Firm pressure or massage instead of light touch
• Weighted blanket or shoulder wrap
• Stim or move freely

You can say in your birth preferences:

• “I process pain differently and may stim or go quiet—please don’t interpret this as distress unless I say so.”
• “Please avoid light touch—firm pressure or being left alone is better for me.”

Communicating What You Need

Sometimes words don’t come easily, especially when things get overwhelming. That doesn’t mean you don’t know what you want.

Try using simple scripts like:

• “Please wait—I need a moment to think.”
• “That’s too fast. Can you say it again slowly?”
• “Can I have this written down? I process better with notes.”

You might also find it easier to:

• Write your preferences down before labour begins.
• Ask your partner/supporter to advocate if you go non-verbal or need to step back.

You are allowed to ask for breaks, quiet time, or to be left alone for a while.

You’re Not “Too Much”

You’re not dramatic. You’re not awkward. You’re not failing.

You have a brain that works differently, and that’s ok. You deserve maternity care that fits your sensory and communication needs. Your emotional responses are valid. Your way of preparing, planning, processing or parenting is valid.

We are building tools, checklists, and scripts to support you over at NeuroNatal. You can ask your midwife or birth team to visit this page or print a copy of your preferences. If they don’t get it yet, that’s not your fault.

You belong here.

Serotonin For ADHD Brains

Serotonin plays a key role in mood, sleep, digestion, and emotional regulation — and its impact becomes even more important in pregnancy. If you’re pregnant and living with ADHD, the combination of hormone changes and serotonin disruption can feel overwhelming — but there are gentle, supportive steps you can take. This guide is here to help.

Further Information

For more tools, resources, and support tailored to neurodivergent pregnancy and birth, visit https://www.neuronatal.org. NeuroNatal is run by and for neurodivergent parents because your brain and body deserve care that makes sense to you.