From Here to Maternity: Pregnancy and Motherhood on the Autism Spectrum

by Lana Grant

Already the mother of five children, Lana Grant's late diagnosis of autism at age 38 transformed her experience of her sixth pregnancy. Based on her own experiences of the challenges and joys of pregnancy and motherhood, this witty, entertaining read provides insight into the unique challenges encountered by mothers on the spectrum and provides tips and strategies for understanding and overcoming them.From physical and emotional changes, through to changes of routine and a lack of sleep, Lana Grant explains what women on the spectrum should expect in pregnancy and motherhood, as well as preparing them for the inevitable unexpected! Her stories of learning to make allowances for her feelings and her witty anecdotes offer support and a like-minded voice to women on the spectrum. She discusses everything from learning to understand the language used by medical professionals, who to tell what and when, and the dangers of over-sharing, through to sensory challenges during and after delivery, what to expect from staff in the hospital, and the social challenges of interacting with other mums before and after the birth.The first book on this important topic of pregnancy and motherhood on the autism spectrum, From Here to Maternity provides much needed support, insight and understanding for women on the spectrum, their family and friends, and the professionals working with them during and after pregnancy.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Parenting, Mental Health

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2015

Reviews

[Judith G-D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up in the library - and didn’t leave until I’d finished it. It was so helpful and I bawled my eyes out - it was brilliant

[sharon (path.through.the.pages) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up at my local library. I finished it in one afternoon. Memoir style. It deals with one person's experience of pregnancy and motherhood as a late diagnosed autism spectrum. It is a topic that fascinates me and my friends and family. It did leave me wondering how far we have actually come along in the time since this book was written (2015). We have so much more to learn about female hormones and about female autistic spectrum disorder and the interplay between these. I thought the topics of overwhelm and overstimulation were covered very well from the pregnant and heathcare and then parenting perspective. I think this would be a good book to recommend to women, potential mothers and mothers who are neurodivergent, their partners and family and friends. Also heath care professionals.

[Mst Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book to try and for the most part was not disappointed

[Amy Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting but very much just pregnancy

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some very helpful points and perspectives, but otherwise a bit self indulgent and droney.