Pregnant Women With Autism At Higher Risk for Depression, Anxiety

Mothers-to-be with autism are also less likely to be satisfied with the care they receive.

A new British study suggests that pregnant women diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder may be more vulnerable than average to experiencing depression and anxiety.

Of the 900 women surveyed about their pregnancy experiences by the Autism Research Center in Cambridge, just over 45 percent had autism.

Nearly 25 percent of the women with autism reported experiencing prenatal depression compared to 9 percent of those who did not have autism. And 48 percent of those with autism disclosed they had anxiety versus just 14 percent of respondents without autism.

Prevalence of Anxiety Disorders During Pregnancy

Benzodiazepine Use During Pregnancy

Screening for Perinatal Anxiety Symptom

Expectant mothers with autism also said they felt less satisfied with the care they received. Their mistrust of healthcare professionals and the information they provided was high. And they often felt like providers failed to take them seriously or treat them respectfully. 

Though stress-related meltdowns were more common and intense than before pregnancy among both groups, the moms-to-be with autism frequently experienced sensory overload. They reported feeling overwhelmed by the smells, sights, lights and sounds they encountered during prenatal appointments. 

Overall, the women in the autistic group were significantly less satisfied than the women in the non-autistic group with the healthcare they received during pregnancy (70% vs. 91%.)

“Fear of a lack of understanding from professionals may be a barrier to disclosure of an autism diagnosis and therefore may be a barrier to accessing adjustments and support,” the authors write. “Furthermore, greater mental health support for autistic people during pregnancy is essential, given an increased risk of prenatal depression and anxiety.”

Translating this research into health and social care policy and practice is essential to ensure these parents receive the support and adaptations they need in a timely manner, noted study co-author Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, director of the Autism Research Center.

It is well established that adverse pregnancy outcomes are more common for women with autism. They are at higher risk for preterm birth, cesarean births and preeclampsia, according to research.