This is the first book of its kind to be written specifically for autistic parents, whilst also providing essential reading for health and social care practitioners, enabling them to provide reasonably adjusted care with the best outcomes for autistic people and their babies. Written by an autistic mother who experienced a mental health crisis following a poorly supported pregnancy and childbirth, she gives voice to the experiences of many autistic parents in order to address the issues they collectively and uniquely face. The outcome is a practical, insightful and solution-focused guide to empower autistic parents from pre-conception right through to the first few months with baby, and to inform health and social care staff whose job it is to offer support and to meet their needs at these critical times. This sensitively illustrated book provides the information, resources and confidence autistic parents need to advocate for themselves, as well as developing positive relationships with the professionals involved in their care.
A school teacher of over ten years, former professional athlete and now author of her ground-breaking memoir, Unbroken, Alexis is Manager of the Restraint Reduction Network. Activists all have a story or defining moment that propel us into action. Alexis Quinn's began with a crisis after she birthed her first child and her youngest brother died. She asked for help from services, responded autistically to the 'help' and was detained under the Mental Health Act for three and half years before escaping to Africa. On conceiving her second child, Alexis reasoned that autistic mothers should not have to enter pregnancy and birth worrying about being misunderstood, marginalised and traumatised. She set about connecting with other autistic mothers and was saddened at the scarce resources for autistic women. Determined not to repeat what had happened in the past, Alexis took matters into her own hands. Assuming a human rights approach to her second pregnancy, Alexis succeeded in having an entirely uneventful, and 'perfect' autistic birth experience. Her new book, Autistic and Expecting was then born.
1. Your rights in pregnancy and childbirth 2. Autistic identity 3. Ready for a baby? 4. Getting pregnant 5. Conception, fertilisation and the beginning of life 6. Diet 7. Medication 8. Exercise 9. Sleep 10. Preparing for appointments 11. Feeling baby move 12. Finding out the sex of your baby 13. Where do you want to give birth? 14. What to pack for hospital 15. What is it like to give birth? 16. Writing a birth plan 17. Care after birth 18. Miscarriage, stillbirth and grief 19. Mind, emotions and wellbeing 20. Feeding baby 21. Being a new parent 22. Fourth trimester plan
