Exploring the experiences of pregnancy, birth and parenting of mothers with autism spectrum disorder

This thesis focuses on the experiences of pregnancy, birth and parenting for women with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Due to the limited research about mothers with ASD, a literature review was conducted exploring the experiences of pregnancy, birth and parenting for women with an intellectual disability (ID). Women with ID experience social and communication difficulties which may be similar to women with ASD, therefore their experiences may be comparable. A review of the literature highlights experiences of powerlessness for the mothers and challenges to their mother identity from professionals, family and society due to their ID. To develop further understanding about these experiences for women with ASD, a study was conducted exploring the experiences of pregnancy, birth and parenting for seven mothers with ASD. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), four super-ordinate themes were generated: we are different, negotiating difference, the role of the mother-child relationship and navigating the parenting journey. Consideration of the mothers’ experiences and how services can be tailored to meet their needs are discussed in relation to existing theory and research. Finally, the researcher reflects on how the research journey was navigated and the impact of the research findings on themselves.