The Neurodivergent Birth Podcast Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:18:33 -0400 https://theneurodivergentbirthpodcast.buzzsprout.com en-gb © 2026 The Neurodivergent Birth Podcast yes b1467a0e-9ff9-516d-87d4-623794de165a Victoria White episodic false A podcast exploring neurodivergent experiences of pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period, with the aim of improving support and outcomes for neurodivergent people and their families. Hosted by doula Victoria White.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Neurodivergent, pregnancy, birth, postnatal, postpartum, doula, autism, ADHD, hypnobirthing Victoria White https://storage.buzzsprout.com/vm55nw4cmvstcxrgj6vek87v3uwq?.jpg The Neurodivergent Birth Podcast https://theneurodivergentbirthpodcast.buzzsprout.com Victoria White S6 Ep5: The Gift Our Children Gave Us - Discovering Neurodivergence as a Family with Doula Audrey Victor S6 Ep5: The Gift Our Children Gave Us - Discovering Neurodivergence as a Family with Doula Audrey Victor Welcome back to Season 6 of The Neurodivergent Birth Podcast: 'The Gift our Children Gave us', where we share lived experiences of what can happen when your child's neurodivergence, or the experience of becoming a parent, becomes the mirror that helps you see and understand yourself as a neurodivergent person.

Today I talk to Audrey Victor, a doula, yoga teacher, reflexologist, reiki healer and much more, who shares with us her story of discovering her own neurodivergence following the diagnosis of her eldest son as a teenager, and latterly her youngest son's diagnosis. 

She shares what the gift of hindsight has offered to the whole family and how learning about their neurodivergence and their different needs helps them to support one another and build resilience in a world that often tells us we need to conform to 'typical' expectations. We talk about burnout, tuning in to what your nervous system needs, and how prioritising rest has changed her and her family's experience of daily life.

You can find out more about Audrey and her amazing work on Instagram @audrey_yoga_doula_feet

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome back to Season 6 of The Neurodivergent Birth Podcast: 'The Gift our Children Gave us', where we share lived experiences of what can happen when your child's neurodivergence, or the experience of becoming a parent, becomes the mirror that helps you see and understand yourself as a neurodivergent person.

Today I talk to Audrey Victor, a doula, yoga teacher, reflexologist, reiki healer and much more, who shares with us her story of discovering her own neurodivergence following the diagnosis of her eldest son as a teenager, and latterly her youngest son's diagnosis. 

She shares what the gift of hindsight has offered to the whole family and how learning about their neurodivergence and their different needs helps them to support one another and build resilience in a world that often tells us we need to conform to 'typical' expectations. We talk about burnout, tuning in to what your nervous system needs, and how prioritising rest has changed her and her family's experience of daily life.

You can find out more about Audrey and her amazing work on Instagram @audrey_yoga_doula_feet

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-19973802 Fri, 16 Oct 2026 20:00:00 +0100 2449 6 5 full false S6 Ep4: The Gift Our Children Gave Us - Unravelling Everything We Thought We Knew About Parenting and Education with Jenni and Martha from AuDHDacious Humans S6 Ep4: The Gift Our Children Gave Us - Unravelling Everything We Thought We Knew About Parenting and Education with Jenni and Martha from AuDHDacious Humans ⭐️ It’s new episode day in Season 6 of The Neurodivergent Birth Podcast! 🎙️

This season is called ‘The Gift our Children Gave us’ and we are exploring beyond the immediate perinatal time, and looking at what happens when your child’s neurodivergence, or the experience of becoming a parent, becomes the mirror that helps you see and understand yourself as a neurodivergent person.

Today we talk to neurodivergent parents and educators, Jenni and Martha from AuDHDacious Humans https://www.audhdacious.com/, which is an incredible organisation that provides support to parents/carers/educators and AuDHD/PDA kids to heal and thrive away from systems that break them.

They share that the gift their children gave them was unravelling everything they thought they knew about parenting and education, prompting them to rebuild their lives around their children's and families' needs. Having thought they would 'nail parenting' as ex teachers who worked in mainstream and alternative provisions they were surprised to find their children had other ideas! Now Jenni and Martha support other children and families who are not walking the traditionally school-shaped path through their home education group Make & Create Club. 


#neurodivergent
#neurodivergentbirth
#neurodivergentparenting

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> ⭐️ It’s new episode day in Season 6 of The Neurodivergent Birth Podcast! 🎙️

This season is called ‘The Gift our Children Gave us’ and we are exploring beyond the immediate perinatal time, and looking at what happens when your child’s neurodivergence, or the experience of becoming a parent, becomes the mirror that helps you see and understand yourself as a neurodivergent person.

Today we talk to neurodivergent parents and educators, Jenni and Martha from AuDHDacious Humans https://www.audhdacious.com/, which is an incredible organisation that provides support to parents/carers/educators and AuDHD/PDA kids to heal and thrive away from systems that break them.

They share that the gift their children gave them was unravelling everything they thought they knew about parenting and education, prompting them to rebuild their lives around their children's and families' needs. Having thought they would 'nail parenting' as ex teachers who worked in mainstream and alternative provisions they were surprised to find their children had other ideas! Now Jenni and Martha support other children and families who are not walking the traditionally school-shaped path through their home education group Make & Create Club. 


#neurodivergent
#neurodivergentbirth
#neurodivergentparenting

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-19935444 Fri, 09 Oct 2026 15:00:00 +0100 2984 6 4 full false S6 Ep3: The Gift Our Children Gave Us - The Permission Slip with Emma Porcelli S6 Ep3: The Gift Our Children Gave Us - The Permission Slip with Emma Porcelli Welcome back to Season 6 of The Neurodivergent Birth Podcast: 'The Gift our Children Gave us', where we share lived experiences of what can happen when your child's neurodivergence, or the experience of becoming a parent, becomes the mirror that helps you see and understand yourself as a neurodivergent person.

Today I talk to Emma Porcelli, a hypnobirthing teacher, hypnotherapist and energy healer.

Emma talks about her experiences as a mum of 4 neurodivergent children, and how her parenting journey and understanding of herself as a neurodivergent person have evolved in parallel. She shares with us how she models self-advocacy and asking for what you need for her children.

You can find out more about Emma's work by checking out her Instagram page @mama.escape and you can order here stunning visual Pregnancy and Birth Affirmation cards here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4496606025/mama-escape-pregnancy-and-birth

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome back to Season 6 of The Neurodivergent Birth Podcast: 'The Gift our Children Gave us', where we share lived experiences of what can happen when your child's neurodivergence, or the experience of becoming a parent, becomes the mirror that helps you see and understand yourself as a neurodivergent person.

Today I talk to Emma Porcelli, a hypnobirthing teacher, hypnotherapist and energy healer.

Emma talks about her experiences as a mum of 4 neurodivergent children, and how her parenting journey and understanding of herself as a neurodivergent person have evolved in parallel. She shares with us how she models self-advocacy and asking for what you need for her children.

You can find out more about Emma's work by checking out her Instagram page @mama.escape and you can order here stunning visual Pregnancy and Birth Affirmation cards here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4496606025/mama-escape-pregnancy-and-birth

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-19898993 Fri, 02 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0100 1919 6 3 full false S6 Ep2: The Gift Our Children Gave Us - A Different Perspective on Parenting with Dr Emma Svanberg S6 Ep2: The Gift Our Children Gave Us - A Different Perspective on Parenting with Dr Emma Svanberg Welcome back to Season 6 of The Neurodivergent Birth Podcast: 'The Gift our Children Gave us', where we share lived experiences of what can happen when your child's neurodivergence, or the experience of becoming a parent, becomes the mirror that helps you see and understand yourself as a neurodivergent person.

Today I talk to Dr Emma Svanberg, clinical psychologist, author, founder of The Psychology Co-operative and co-founder of Make Birth Better CIC.

We talk about her own personal experience of late diagnosis as an autistic woman with ADHD, and how supporting her neurodivergent children and herself to thrive, has led to the discovery of a different way of parenting, and has influenced her professional understanding of neurodiversity too.

Emma references a paper on the experiences of Autistic parenting: Thom-Jones S, Brownlow C, Abel S. Challenges, Strengths, and Joys of Autistic Parents: An Abductive Qualitative Content Analysis of Parent Interviews. Autism in Adulthood. 2025;0(0).

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/25739581251385735

Thank you for listening!

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome back to Season 6 of The Neurodivergent Birth Podcast: 'The Gift our Children Gave us', where we share lived experiences of what can happen when your child's neurodivergence, or the experience of becoming a parent, becomes the mirror that helps you see and understand yourself as a neurodivergent person.

Today I talk to Dr Emma Svanberg, clinical psychologist, author, founder of The Psychology Co-operative and co-founder of Make Birth Better CIC.

We talk about her own personal experience of late diagnosis as an autistic woman with ADHD, and how supporting her neurodivergent children and herself to thrive, has led to the discovery of a different way of parenting, and has influenced her professional understanding of neurodiversity too.

Emma references a paper on the experiences of Autistic parenting: Thom-Jones S, Brownlow C, Abel S. Challenges, Strengths, and Joys of Autistic Parents: An Abductive Qualitative Content Analysis of Parent Interviews. Autism in Adulthood. 2025;0(0).

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/25739581251385735

Thank you for listening!

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-19863601 Fri, 25 Sep 2026 17:00:00 +0100 3131 6 2 full false S6 Ep 1: The Gift Our Children Gave Us - Navigating Perinatal Mental Health Support with Laura Richmond S6 Ep 1: The Gift Our Children Gave Us - Navigating Perinatal Mental Health Support with Laura Richmond Welcome to the new season of The Neurodivergent Birth Podcast! This season is called 'The Gift our Children Gave us' and we are exploring beyond the immediate perinatal time, and looking at what happens when your child's neurodivergence, or the experience of becoming a parent, becomes the mirror that helps you see and understand yourself as a neurodivergent person.

Today I talk to Laura Richmond. Laura is the author of All My Worldly Joy: A Memoir of Motherhood and Mental Health (Unbound/Wilton Square Books, 2025). It's a memoir tracing how a traumatic childbirth, after which she was admitted to a psychiatric mother-and-baby unit with her six-week-old son, led her to revisit decades of mental-health assessments and eventually discover she'd been autistic all along. 

The book covers self-harm, psychiatric hospitalisation, postnatal PTSD, misdiagnosis (including an earlier bipolar diagnosis and "emerging personality disorder" label), and her path toward self-understanding and advocacy. 

Laura is an MMHA Lived Experience Champion, a MumsAid Ambassador, and most recently was appointed as Director of Research and Advocacy with Neurodivergent Birth CIC.

You can grab a copy of Laura's book here:

https://www.eyebooksgroup.com/products/all-my-worldly-joy

https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-My-Worldly-Joy-Motherhood/dp/1800183585

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome to the new season of The Neurodivergent Birth Podcast! This season is called 'The Gift our Children Gave us' and we are exploring beyond the immediate perinatal time, and looking at what happens when your child's neurodivergence, or the experience of becoming a parent, becomes the mirror that helps you see and understand yourself as a neurodivergent person.

Today I talk to Laura Richmond. Laura is the author of All My Worldly Joy: A Memoir of Motherhood and Mental Health (Unbound/Wilton Square Books, 2025). It's a memoir tracing how a traumatic childbirth, after which she was admitted to a psychiatric mother-and-baby unit with her six-week-old son, led her to revisit decades of mental-health assessments and eventually discover she'd been autistic all along. 

The book covers self-harm, psychiatric hospitalisation, postnatal PTSD, misdiagnosis (including an earlier bipolar diagnosis and "emerging personality disorder" label), and her path toward self-understanding and advocacy. 

Laura is an MMHA Lived Experience Champion, a MumsAid Ambassador, and most recently was appointed as Director of Research and Advocacy with Neurodivergent Birth CIC.

You can grab a copy of Laura's book here:

https://www.eyebooksgroup.com/products/all-my-worldly-joy

https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-My-Worldly-Joy-Motherhood/dp/1800183585

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-19815299 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0100 2851 6 1 full false S5 Ep 13: Bonus Guest Episode: AuDHD Coaching and Circle of Security Parenting for ND Families with Clare Woods S5 Ep 13: Bonus Guest Episode: AuDHD Coaching and Circle of Security Parenting for ND Families with Clare Woods Today I talk to Clare Woods, a Specialist Nurse, AuDHD Coach and trained Circle of Security Parenting (COSP)™ facilitator with extensive experience in trauma-informed, neuro-affirming and relational approaches, about the benefits of both coaching and the COSP™ Programme for neurodivergent parents.

COSP™ can help parents understand unique attachment expressions and behaviours in children, reframing behaviours as opportunities for connection. 

COSP™’s structured, reflective approach supports neurodivergent parents themselves by providing clear frameworks for understanding and responding to their children’s needs, fostering deeper connection and joy despite communication differences.

You can find out more about Clare's work at https://www.theaudhdcoachingcompany.org.uk/ and you can book on to the COSP™ programme for ND Birth followers at https://www.ndbirth.com/event-details/circle-of-security-parenting-programme



Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I talk to Clare Woods, a Specialist Nurse, AuDHD Coach and trained Circle of Security Parenting (COSP)™ facilitator with extensive experience in trauma-informed, neuro-affirming and relational approaches, about the benefits of both coaching and the COSP™ Programme for neurodivergent parents.

COSP™ can help parents understand unique attachment expressions and behaviours in children, reframing behaviours as opportunities for connection. 

COSP™’s structured, reflective approach supports neurodivergent parents themselves by providing clear frameworks for understanding and responding to their children’s needs, fostering deeper connection and joy despite communication differences.

You can find out more about Clare's work at https://www.theaudhdcoachingcompany.org.uk/ and you can book on to the COSP™ programme for ND Birth followers at https://www.ndbirth.com/event-details/circle-of-security-parenting-programme



Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-19630392 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0100 2885 5 13 full false S5 Ep 11: 8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth: Feeding Your Baby S5 Ep 11: 8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth: Feeding Your Baby Welcome to week 8 of '8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth'! Today Victoria and Elizabeth of @elizabirth_doula and ND Birth Training Practitioner, talk about feeding your baby and finding what works for you and your family. We cover:

  • Feeding choices: breast/chest feeding, formula, combination
  • Sensory challenges of feeding (touch, smell, sounds, physical sensation)
  • Executive function demands: tracking feeds, schedules, preparation
  • Processing conflicting advice and information overload
  • Your right to feed however works for you
  • Reasonable adjustments for feeding support

Elizabeth lists some useful support resources including:

The National Breastfeeding Helpline: https://www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk/

La Leche League: https://laleche.org.uk/

Drugs in breastmilk factsheets: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets/

You can also access our Supporting Neurodivergent Lactation workshop here: https://www.themindfulbreastfeedingschool.com/courses/supporting-neurodivergent-lactation

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome to week 8 of '8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth'! Today Victoria and Elizabeth of @elizabirth_doula and ND Birth Training Practitioner, talk about feeding your baby and finding what works for you and your family. We cover:

  • Feeding choices: breast/chest feeding, formula, combination
  • Sensory challenges of feeding (touch, smell, sounds, physical sensation)
  • Executive function demands: tracking feeds, schedules, preparation
  • Processing conflicting advice and information overload
  • Your right to feed however works for you
  • Reasonable adjustments for feeding support

Elizabeth lists some useful support resources including:

The National Breastfeeding Helpline: https://www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk/

La Leche League: https://laleche.org.uk/

Drugs in breastmilk factsheets: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets/

You can also access our Supporting Neurodivergent Lactation workshop here: https://www.themindfulbreastfeedingschool.com/courses/supporting-neurodivergent-lactation

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-19194696 Mon, 18 May 2026 11:00:00 +0100 2268 5 11 full false S5 Ep 10: 8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth: The Postnatal Period S5 Ep 10: 8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth: The Postnatal Period Welcome to week 7 of '8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth'!

Today Victoria and Laurène Bizarro, founder of @mighty_mama_perinatal and ND Birth Training Practitioner, talk about postnatal experiences through the lens of neurodivergence, including the challenges, the positive and how to access support.

You can find out more about Laurène's antenatal and postnatal support services via instagram https://www.instagram.com/mighty_mama_perinatal/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome to week 7 of '8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth'!

Today Victoria and Laurène Bizarro, founder of @mighty_mama_perinatal and ND Birth Training Practitioner, talk about postnatal experiences through the lens of neurodivergence, including the challenges, the positive and how to access support.

You can find out more about Laurène's antenatal and postnatal support services via instagram https://www.instagram.com/mighty_mama_perinatal/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-19146541 Fri, 08 May 2026 17:00:00 +0100 2138 5 10 full false S5 Ep 9: Bonus Guest Episode: 'She Seems Fine to Me' The Importance of Being Open and Honest about Postnatal OCD with Kimberley Nixon S5 Ep 9: Bonus Guest Episode: 'She Seems Fine to Me' The Importance of Being Open and Honest about Postnatal OCD with Kimberley Nixon Happy publication day to our ambassador, Kimberly Nixon! She joins us on the Podcast to talk about her new book ‘She Seems Fine to Me’ and why it was so important to write it. This memoir is an open, honest and unfiltered account of her experience of trying to conceive, having a baby, and then the brutal reality of experiencing postnatal OCD.

Of all the perinatal mental health conditions, postnatal OCD is particularly cruel because it lives in the shadows. It's difficult for people to share their struggles because they're often dealing with very frightening thought patterns and imagery, and there's a genuine fear that they'll be perceived as a risk to their baby if anybody could see what is going on in their mind, and that's why a book like this, which will validate the experiences of others, is so important. It will also help educate health professionals on what supports can help.

We're grateful to Kim for sharing her story. You can purchase her book via the links here: https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/She-Seems-Fine-to-Me/Kimberley-Nixon/9781398557536

Kim also references useful resources including:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taming.olivia/

Perinatal Mental Health Partnership https://www.instagram.com/perinatalmhpartnership/

PANDAS Foundation https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Happy publication day to our ambassador, Kimberly Nixon! She joins us on the Podcast to talk about her new book ‘She Seems Fine to Me’ and why it was so important to write it. This memoir is an open, honest and unfiltered account of her experience of trying to conceive, having a baby, and then the brutal reality of experiencing postnatal OCD.

Of all the perinatal mental health conditions, postnatal OCD is particularly cruel because it lives in the shadows. It's difficult for people to share their struggles because they're often dealing with very frightening thought patterns and imagery, and there's a genuine fear that they'll be perceived as a risk to their baby if anybody could see what is going on in their mind, and that's why a book like this, which will validate the experiences of others, is so important. It will also help educate health professionals on what supports can help.

We're grateful to Kim for sharing her story. You can purchase her book via the links here: https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/She-Seems-Fine-to-Me/Kimberley-Nixon/9781398557536

Kim also references useful resources including:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taming.olivia/

Perinatal Mental Health Partnership https://www.instagram.com/perinatalmhpartnership/

PANDAS Foundation https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-19142219 Thu, 07 May 2026 19:00:00 +0100 2907 full false S5 Ep 8: 8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth: Preparing for Labour and Birth S5 Ep 8: 8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth: Preparing for Labour and Birth Welcome back to '8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth'!

Today Victoria talks about preparing for the big event itself; labour and birth. She discusses birth physiology including the role of hormones, the birth environment, and the Four Support Pillars of Neurodivergent Birth - sensory processing, communication, executive functioning and mental health. She also shares tips on  how to communicate your support needs, and advocating for reasonable adjustments.

If you're enjoying this series, why not check out our full antenatal course: The ND Birth Prep Course. Available for registration now at NDBirth.com.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome back to '8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth'!

Today Victoria talks about preparing for the big event itself; labour and birth. She discusses birth physiology including the role of hormones, the birth environment, and the Four Support Pillars of Neurodivergent Birth - sensory processing, communication, executive functioning and mental health. She also shares tips on  how to communicate your support needs, and advocating for reasonable adjustments.

If you're enjoying this series, why not check out our full antenatal course: The ND Birth Prep Course. Available for registration now at NDBirth.com.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-19113290 Sat, 02 May 2026 18:00:00 +0100 1306 5 8 full false S5 Ep 7: Bonus Guest Episode: Synaesthesia, Pregnancy and Preparing for Birth with Maike Preißing S5 Ep 7: Bonus Guest Episode: Synaesthesia, Pregnancy and Preparing for Birth with Maike Preißing Today we're delighted to share this bonus episode with you which is all about synaesthesia, pregnancy and preparing for birth as a synaesthete; a person who experiences blended senses where one stimulation (e.g. sound) involuntarily triggers another (e.g, colour). 

Our guest is Maike Preißing, psychologist and host of the 'Let's Talk Synaesthesia' podcast. 

You can find out more about Maike's work at https://www.maikepreissing.com/ and by following on Instagram @maikepreissing.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today we're delighted to share this bonus episode with you which is all about synaesthesia, pregnancy and preparing for birth as a synaesthete; a person who experiences blended senses where one stimulation (e.g. sound) involuntarily triggers another (e.g, colour). 

Our guest is Maike Preißing, psychologist and host of the 'Let's Talk Synaesthesia' podcast. 

You can find out more about Maike's work at https://www.maikepreissing.com/ and by following on Instagram @maikepreissing.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-19090309 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0100 2701 full false S5 Ep 6: 8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth: Navigating Communication in Maternity Care S5 Ep 6: 8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth: Navigating Communication in Maternity Care Welcome to week 5 of '8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth'!

Today Victoria and Aileen White, founder of @mybirthsupportcic and ND Birth Training Practitioner, talk about navigating communication in maternity care as a neurodivergent person.

We cover:

  • Common communication challenges (medical jargon, implied questions, rushed conversations)
  • Asking for clear, direct language
  • Processing time: it's okay to say "I need time to think"
  • Written vs verbal communication preferences
  • Building a communication preferences plan
  • Using visual aids and written summaries

Aileen talks about the HEART acronym which can be helpful when asking for more processing time.


H: Hear - "I hear what you're saying"

E: Empathise - "and I know why you are recommending this"

A: Affirm - "but I would like more time to consider ...." or "I would like to try this alternative."

R: Reassure - "I’ll definitely let you know if anything changes/I'll get back to you"

T: Thanks - "Thank you so much for supporting me and my baby.”

You can find out more about Aileen and My Birth Support CIC at https://mybirth.org.uk/





Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome to week 5 of '8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth'!

Today Victoria and Aileen White, founder of @mybirthsupportcic and ND Birth Training Practitioner, talk about navigating communication in maternity care as a neurodivergent person.

We cover:

  • Common communication challenges (medical jargon, implied questions, rushed conversations)
  • Asking for clear, direct language
  • Processing time: it's okay to say "I need time to think"
  • Written vs verbal communication preferences
  • Building a communication preferences plan
  • Using visual aids and written summaries

Aileen talks about the HEART acronym which can be helpful when asking for more processing time.


H: Hear - "I hear what you're saying"

E: Empathise - "and I know why you are recommending this"

A: Affirm - "but I would like more time to consider ...." or "I would like to try this alternative."

R: Reassure - "I’ll definitely let you know if anything changes/I'll get back to you"

T: Thanks - "Thank you so much for supporting me and my baby.”

You can find out more about Aileen and My Birth Support CIC at https://mybirth.org.uk/





Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-19071418 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0100 1772 5 6 full false S5 Ep 5: Bonus Guest Episode: Neurodivergence, Attachment and the Transition to Parenting with Julianne Boutaleb S5 Ep 5: Bonus Guest Episode: Neurodivergence, Attachment and the Transition to Parenting with Julianne Boutaleb Today we're delighted to share this bonus episode with you which is all about neurodivergence, attachment and parenting. Our guest is Julianne Boutaleb, consultant perinatal psychologist and clinical director and founder of Parenthood In Mind, a provider of specialist perinatal psychology and psychotherapy services.

You can find out more about Julianne's and the team's wonderful work and support services at https://www.parenthoodinmind.co.uk/ and by following on instagram @parenthoodinmind

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today we're delighted to share this bonus episode with you which is all about neurodivergence, attachment and parenting. Our guest is Julianne Boutaleb, consultant perinatal psychologist and clinical director and founder of Parenthood In Mind, a provider of specialist perinatal psychology and psychotherapy services.

You can find out more about Julianne's and the team's wonderful work and support services at https://www.parenthoodinmind.co.uk/ and by following on instagram @parenthoodinmind

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-19047994 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:00:00 +0100 3294 5 5 full false S5 Ep 4: 8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth: Deciding Where to Give Birth S5 Ep 4: 8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth: Deciding Where to Give Birth Welcome to week 4 of '8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth'!

Today Victoria explores different options for where to labour and birth, what you might wish to consider from an ND perspective, and what your rights are in relation to this topic.

If you are considering birth on a labour ward or midwife-led unit, practical questions to ask include:

  • Can I visit the unit before labour to familiarise myself with the environment?
  • What is the lighting like — can it be dimmed?
  • How noisy is it typically — is there a quieter room option?
  • How many staff changes will there be during my labour?
  • Can I bring my own items to make the environment feel more comfortable?
  • What is your policy on birth partners — can I have more than one?
  • How long can my birth partner stay? 4 hours? Reasonable adjustment from the baseline.
  • If I find verbal communication difficult when I'm overwhelmed, how will you support me?
  • What happens if I need to transfer — how long does that take, and who comes with me?

If your enjoying this series we recommend you check out The ND Birth Prep Course, available at https://www.ndbirth.com/nd-birth-prep-course


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome to week 4 of '8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth'!

Today Victoria explores different options for where to labour and birth, what you might wish to consider from an ND perspective, and what your rights are in relation to this topic.

If you are considering birth on a labour ward or midwife-led unit, practical questions to ask include:

  • Can I visit the unit before labour to familiarise myself with the environment?
  • What is the lighting like — can it be dimmed?
  • How noisy is it typically — is there a quieter room option?
  • How many staff changes will there be during my labour?
  • Can I bring my own items to make the environment feel more comfortable?
  • What is your policy on birth partners — can I have more than one?
  • How long can my birth partner stay? 4 hours? Reasonable adjustment from the baseline.
  • If I find verbal communication difficult when I'm overwhelmed, how will you support me?
  • What happens if I need to transfer — how long does that take, and who comes with me?

If your enjoying this series we recommend you check out The ND Birth Prep Course, available at https://www.ndbirth.com/nd-birth-prep-course


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-19032912 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:00:00 +0100 988 5 4 full false S5 Ep 3: 8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth: Understanding Your Sensory Needs S5 Ep 3: 8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth: Understanding Your Sensory Needs Welcome to week 3 of '8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth'!

Today Victoria and Aimee Booth, trained nurse, health visitor, hypnobirthing practitioner and ND Birth Training Practitioner, discuss how to understand and communicate your sensory needs to those supporting you during labour and birth.

You can find out more about Aimee's hypnobirthing and baby massage services in Manchester by following @karmababies_aimee or visiting www.karmababies.co.uk.


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome to week 3 of '8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth'!

Today Victoria and Aimee Booth, trained nurse, health visitor, hypnobirthing practitioner and ND Birth Training Practitioner, discuss how to understand and communicate your sensory needs to those supporting you during labour and birth.

You can find out more about Aimee's hypnobirthing and baby massage services in Manchester by following @karmababies_aimee or visiting www.karmababies.co.uk.


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-18951078 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0100 1471 5 3 full false S5 Ep 2: 8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth: Antenatal Appointments S5 Ep 2: 8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth: Antenatal Appointments Welcome to the second week of '8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth'!

Today Victoria and Karen Henry, midwife, lecturer and ND Birth Training Practitioner, discuss how to prepare for your antenatal appointments as a neurodivergent person. 

Karen references some amazing videos from the Swansea University 'Autism: from Menstruation to Menopause' study which are linked below:

https://youtu.be/AA3WWz7b3eo?si=aCRNH4e2r1Rk5IDg

https://youtu.be/6kv9zj2Aph4?si=6bME7GSdZTDc7fvH

https://youtu.be/Y5mMvBQxcCA?si=TDGDMZTpYWRW6eVu



Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome to the second week of '8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth'!

Today Victoria and Karen Henry, midwife, lecturer and ND Birth Training Practitioner, discuss how to prepare for your antenatal appointments as a neurodivergent person. 

Karen references some amazing videos from the Swansea University 'Autism: from Menstruation to Menopause' study which are linked below:

https://youtu.be/AA3WWz7b3eo?si=aCRNH4e2r1Rk5IDg

https://youtu.be/6kv9zj2Aph4?si=6bME7GSdZTDc7fvH

https://youtu.be/Y5mMvBQxcCA?si=TDGDMZTpYWRW6eVu



Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-18917507 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000 1596 full false S5 Ep 1: 8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth: Your Rights in Maternity Care S5 Ep 1: 8 Weeks to Prepare for your ND Birth: Your Rights in Maternity Care Season 5 of The Neurodivergent Birth Podcast is here! 

This season we’re sharing something special… 

8 weeks to prepare for your neurodivergent birth.

Across the next 8 episodes, founder Victoria White and guests will guide you through some of the most important areas to consider when preparing for pregnancy, birth and early parenthood as a neurodivergent person.

Topics include:
✨ Your rights in maternity care
✨ Understanding your sensory needs
✨ Preparing for antenatal appointments
✨ Navigating communication in maternity services
✨ Choosing your place of birth
✨ Preparing for labour and birth
✨ The postnatal period
✨ Feeding your baby


Whether you’re currently pregnant, planning a family, or supporting someone who is - this season is designed to help you feel informed, confident and supported.

Today we focus on laying the foundations in understanding your rights in maternity care.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Season 5 of The Neurodivergent Birth Podcast is here! 

This season we’re sharing something special… 

8 weeks to prepare for your neurodivergent birth.

Across the next 8 episodes, founder Victoria White and guests will guide you through some of the most important areas to consider when preparing for pregnancy, birth and early parenthood as a neurodivergent person.

Topics include:
✨ Your rights in maternity care
✨ Understanding your sensory needs
✨ Preparing for antenatal appointments
✨ Navigating communication in maternity services
✨ Choosing your place of birth
✨ Preparing for labour and birth
✨ The postnatal period
✨ Feeding your baby


Whether you’re currently pregnant, planning a family, or supporting someone who is - this season is designed to help you feel informed, confident and supported.

Today we focus on laying the foundations in understanding your rights in maternity care.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-18876694 Thu, 19 Mar 2026 20:00:00 +0000 980 5 1 full false S4 Ep14: Supporting Neurodivergent Experiences of NICU with Dr Frankie Harrison S4 Ep14: Supporting Neurodivergent Experiences of NICU with Dr Frankie Harrison Today I talk with Dr Frankie Harrison. Frankie is a clinical psychologist, a NICU mum and founder of Miracle Moon UK, which provides support and therapy for parents healing after NICU experiences and birth trauma.

Frankie talks all about neurodivergent experiences of NICU and how important it is to have conversations antenatally about what it might be like if your baby has to spend any time on the neonatal unit, and how to support yourself.

Frankie is kicking off our FREE to watch webinars during Neurodivergent Birth Awareness Week at 12pm on the 5th December all about this topic, so do head to ndbirth.com to register for free.

And this is the final episode of this Season! We’ll be back in the new year with a new format and a new co-host so stay tuned. And thank you for all your support this year. See you in 2026!

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I talk with Dr Frankie Harrison. Frankie is a clinical psychologist, a NICU mum and founder of Miracle Moon UK, which provides support and therapy for parents healing after NICU experiences and birth trauma.

Frankie talks all about neurodivergent experiences of NICU and how important it is to have conversations antenatally about what it might be like if your baby has to spend any time on the neonatal unit, and how to support yourself.

Frankie is kicking off our FREE to watch webinars during Neurodivergent Birth Awareness Week at 12pm on the 5th December all about this topic, so do head to ndbirth.com to register for free.

And this is the final episode of this Season! We’ll be back in the new year with a new format and a new co-host so stay tuned. And thank you for all your support this year. See you in 2026!

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-18240197 Sun, 23 Nov 2025 21:00:00 +0000 1917 4 14 full false S4 Ep13: Noiredivergence - Navigating Black Neurodivergence in the Birth Space with Ruby Osunsola S4 Ep13: Noiredivergence - Navigating Black Neurodivergence in the Birth Space with Ruby Osunsola In today's episode I speak with Ruby Osunsola, who is one of our new Training Practitioners at Neurodivergent Birth. Ruby shares her personal story of navigating the maternity system as a neurodivergent, Black single parent, with multiple health conditions.

This is such an important conversation to listen to and reflect on, particularly if you are a maternity or perinatal professional. 

Please also check out Ruby's incredible article 'Spotlight on Noiredivergence: Navigating Black Neurodivergent in the UK birth space' at ndbirth.com/blog


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> In today's episode I speak with Ruby Osunsola, who is one of our new Training Practitioners at Neurodivergent Birth. Ruby shares her personal story of navigating the maternity system as a neurodivergent, Black single parent, with multiple health conditions.

This is such an important conversation to listen to and reflect on, particularly if you are a maternity or perinatal professional. 

Please also check out Ruby's incredible article 'Spotlight on Noiredivergence: Navigating Black Neurodivergent in the UK birth space' at ndbirth.com/blog


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-18123059 Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000 3003 4 13 full false S4 Ep12: Safety and Accessibility in Antenatal Education with Victoria Warnes of the Modern Antenatal Revolution S4 Ep12: Safety and Accessibility in Antenatal Education with Victoria Warnes of the Modern Antenatal Revolution Today I talk to Victoria Warnes, founder and director of The Modern Antenatal Revolution, an award-winning organisation which offers antenatal education and antenatal teacher training with a refreshing focus on emotional wellbeing and mental health. We talk about the importance of feeling safe in antenatal education spaces in order for them to be truly accessible, and how important it is to prepare antenatally for the postnatal time.

You can find out more about Victoria and The Modern Antenatal Revolution here:

https://www.themodernantenatalrevolution.com/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I talk to Victoria Warnes, founder and director of The Modern Antenatal Revolution, an award-winning organisation which offers antenatal education and antenatal teacher training with a refreshing focus on emotional wellbeing and mental health. We talk about the importance of feeling safe in antenatal education spaces in order for them to be truly accessible, and how important it is to prepare antenatally for the postnatal time.

You can find out more about Victoria and The Modern Antenatal Revolution here:

https://www.themodernantenatalrevolution.com/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-17945891 Fri, 03 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0100 2242 4 12 full false S4 Ep11: Research into Autistic Experiences of Maternity Care with Hayley Morgan and Sara King S4 Ep11: Research into Autistic Experiences of Maternity Care with Hayley Morgan and Sara King Season 4 is back!

And in today's episode I speak with Hayley Morgan and Sara King who are chair and vice-chair of the Maternity Austism Research Group (MARG) in the UK.

We talk about their own personal journeys as autistic mothers, their PhD research into autistic experiences of maternity care, and the creation of MARG as a collective of autistic researchers and health professionals.

Today (18th September 2025) marks the launch of MARG's Best Practice Guidelines for supporting Autistic women and birthing people in maternity and obstetric care, which can be found at this link:

https://www.maternityautismresearchgroup.co.uk/guidelines

 

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Season 4 is back!

And in today's episode I speak with Hayley Morgan and Sara King who are chair and vice-chair of the Maternity Austism Research Group (MARG) in the UK.

We talk about their own personal journeys as autistic mothers, their PhD research into autistic experiences of maternity care, and the creation of MARG as a collective of autistic researchers and health professionals.

Today (18th September 2025) marks the launch of MARG's Best Practice Guidelines for supporting Autistic women and birthing people in maternity and obstetric care, which can be found at this link:

https://www.maternityautismresearchgroup.co.uk/guidelines

 

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-17868669 Thu, 18 Sep 2025 21:00:00 +0100 3349 4 11 full false S4 Ep10: Live Book Launch! 'Why Neurodivergent Birth Matters' by Victoria White S4 Ep10: Live Book Launch! 'Why Neurodivergent Birth Matters' by Victoria White It's pod day and it's also book launch day!

In this episode Victoria hosts a live recording of the podcast to celebrate the publication of 'Why Neurodivergent Birth Matters'.

You can order a copy here:

https://www.ndbirth.com/the-book

In this episode we also talk about the work of MP DR Marie Tidball which you can read more about here https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/news/2025/report-reveals-maternity-care-inequities-disabled-women-uk and the work of the Maternity Autism Research Group: https://www.maternityautismresearchgroup.co.uk/


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> It's pod day and it's also book launch day!

In this episode Victoria hosts a live recording of the podcast to celebrate the publication of 'Why Neurodivergent Birth Matters'.

You can order a copy here:

https://www.ndbirth.com/the-book

In this episode we also talk about the work of MP DR Marie Tidball which you can read more about here https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/news/2025/report-reveals-maternity-care-inequities-disabled-women-uk and the work of the Maternity Autism Research Group: https://www.maternityautismresearchgroup.co.uk/


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-17483431 Thu, 10 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0100 1801 4 10 full false S4 Ep9: Supporting your Sensory Needs Postnatally with Doula & Antenatal Educator April Austin S4 Ep9: Supporting your Sensory Needs Postnatally with Doula & Antenatal Educator April Austin Today I talk to April Austin who is a doula, antenatal educator and Neurodiverse & Inclusivity Lead at The Perinatal Academy. 

We talk about supporting your sensory processing needs during the postnatal time, and how to navigate societal expectations when it comes to how you spend your time postnatally, whether that be by attending all the baby groups, or spending time at home.

You can find out more about April's work at birthwithapril.com and theperinatalacademy.co.uk.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I talk to April Austin who is a doula, antenatal educator and Neurodiverse & Inclusivity Lead at The Perinatal Academy. 

We talk about supporting your sensory processing needs during the postnatal time, and how to navigate societal expectations when it comes to how you spend your time postnatally, whether that be by attending all the baby groups, or spending time at home.

You can find out more about April's work at birthwithapril.com and theperinatalacademy.co.uk.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-17448362 Fri, 04 Jul 2025 11:00:00 +0100 2447 4 9 full false S4 Ep8: Asking for Support Postnatally with Candy Elsbeth from Nourishing Birth & Beyond S4 Ep8: Asking for Support Postnatally with Candy Elsbeth from Nourishing Birth & Beyond Today I talk to Candy Elsbeth all about asking for support during the postnatal time. We talk about executive functioning challenges during the postnatal time, and how to ask for the help and support you really need.

Candy is a neurodivergent person and a Registered Nurse, antenatal and hypnobirthing educator, tongue tie specialist and yoga teacher. She supports parents and pregnant people to navigate their pregnancy and postpartum journeys so that they can make the decisions that are right for them and their unique families. 

You can find out more about Candy and their wonderful work at nourishingbirthandbeyond.co.uk

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I talk to Candy Elsbeth all about asking for support during the postnatal time. We talk about executive functioning challenges during the postnatal time, and how to ask for the help and support you really need.

Candy is a neurodivergent person and a Registered Nurse, antenatal and hypnobirthing educator, tongue tie specialist and yoga teacher. She supports parents and pregnant people to navigate their pregnancy and postpartum journeys so that they can make the decisions that are right for them and their unique families. 

You can find out more about Candy and their wonderful work at nourishingbirthandbeyond.co.uk

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-17410914 Fri, 27 Jun 2025 20:00:00 +0100 2395 4 8 full false S4 Ep7: Exploring Late Diagnosis with Erin Fung of Better Birth UK S4 Ep7: Exploring Late Diagnosis with Erin Fung of Better Birth UK ***Pre-order ‘Why Neurodivergent Birth Matters’ by Victoria White here:

https://pinterandmartin.com/products/why-neurodivergent-birth-matters

 10% of proceeds will go to our Doula Access Fund***

Today I talk to antenatal educator and founder of Better Birth UK, Erin Fung, all about her late-in-life journey to receiving her autism diagnosis and much more. You can follow Erin's amazing birth work @betterbirthuk and her neurodivergent advocacy and awareness work @alt_audhd. 

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> ***Pre-order ‘Why Neurodivergent Birth Matters’ by Victoria White here:

https://pinterandmartin.com/products/why-neurodivergent-birth-matters

 10% of proceeds will go to our Doula Access Fund***

Today I talk to antenatal educator and founder of Better Birth UK, Erin Fung, all about her late-in-life journey to receiving her autism diagnosis and much more. You can follow Erin's amazing birth work @betterbirthuk and her neurodivergent advocacy and awareness work @alt_audhd. 

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-17369165 Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:00:00 +0100 2281 4 7 full false S4 Ep6: Neurodivergence, Skin-to-Skin and Baby's First Hour with Midwife and IBCLC Ella Jackson S4 Ep6: Neurodivergence, Skin-to-Skin and Baby's First Hour with Midwife and IBCLC Ella Jackson Today I talk with Ella Jackson, infant feeding specialist midwife and IBCLC.

We have a fascinating discussion about neurodivergence and advocating for your wishes when it comes to skin-to-skin, and the first hour of your baby’s birth aka the golden hour. Ella has completely transformed my thinking of this important time, and emphasis how key it is to watch and wait for our babies to show us they are ready to interact with their world. 

You can find out more about Ella and the wonderful work of the Maternity Autism Research Group here:

https://www.maternityautismresearchgroup.co.uk/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I talk with Ella Jackson, infant feeding specialist midwife and IBCLC.

We have a fascinating discussion about neurodivergence and advocating for your wishes when it comes to skin-to-skin, and the first hour of your baby’s birth aka the golden hour. Ella has completely transformed my thinking of this important time, and emphasis how key it is to watch and wait for our babies to show us they are ready to interact with their world. 

You can find out more about Ella and the wonderful work of the Maternity Autism Research Group here:

https://www.maternityautismresearchgroup.co.uk/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-17324964 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:00:00 +0100 2819 4 6 full false S4 Ep5: Neurodivergence and Postnatal Anger with Dr Caroline Boyd S4 Ep5: Neurodivergence and Postnatal Anger with Dr Caroline Boyd ***Pre-order ‘Why Neurodivergent Birth Matters’ by Victoria White here:

https://pinterandmartin.com/products/why-neurodivergent-birth-matters

 10% of proceeds will go to our Doula Access Fund***


Today I talk to clinical psychologist, author and mother, Dr Caroline Boyd. Our topic today is neurodivergence and the very human expeirnec of anger in the postpartum. We talk about what anger might be trying to tell us during the postnatal time, about the pressures from society telling us how to parent, and what Caroline refers to as the 3 r’s in anger management; regulate, reconnect and repair. This episode is a must listen for anyone navigating or about to head into their postpartum.

Chartered clinical psychologist Dr Caroline Boyd has over 10 years' experience working in the NHS and mental health settings, and she supports parents from pregnancy to childbirth and beyond. Caroline offers anger courses, workshops and 1:1 therapy in her independent psychology practice, Parent Therapy Hub. 

Caroline is the author of Mindful New Mum, and her published research explores mothers' experiences of intrusive thoughts about their babies. Her work has been featured in You magazine, Grazia, the Telegraph and BBC R4’s Woman's Hour, and she’s an Ambassador for UK perinatal mental health charity, PANDAS. Caroline shares psychology ideas on Instagram and in the media to help parents feel less alone and more connected - to themselves and their children.

You can reach Caroline at drcarolineboyd.com or via Instagram @_drboyd

Caroline offers a self-paced anger course for mothers (USE THE CODE “SPRINGSALE25” TO CLAIM YOUR £100 DISCOUNT):

https://dr-caroline-boyd.mykajabi.com/maternal-rage-sign-up

Take the anger quiz! Visit link below to discover how you express anger in relationships:

https://dr-caroline-boyd.mykajabi.com/anger-quiz


If this episode raises any concerns for you please talk to a trusted health professional such as your GP. 

You can also reach out to the services below:

UK: PANDAS – 0808 1961 776

Samaritans – 116 123

 

US: Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD)

For emergency help – call 999 or visit your local A&E department 



Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> ***Pre-order ‘Why Neurodivergent Birth Matters’ by Victoria White here:

https://pinterandmartin.com/products/why-neurodivergent-birth-matters

 10% of proceeds will go to our Doula Access Fund***


Today I talk to clinical psychologist, author and mother, Dr Caroline Boyd. Our topic today is neurodivergence and the very human expeirnec of anger in the postpartum. We talk about what anger might be trying to tell us during the postnatal time, about the pressures from society telling us how to parent, and what Caroline refers to as the 3 r’s in anger management; regulate, reconnect and repair. This episode is a must listen for anyone navigating or about to head into their postpartum.

Chartered clinical psychologist Dr Caroline Boyd has over 10 years' experience working in the NHS and mental health settings, and she supports parents from pregnancy to childbirth and beyond. Caroline offers anger courses, workshops and 1:1 therapy in her independent psychology practice, Parent Therapy Hub. 

Caroline is the author of Mindful New Mum, and her published research explores mothers' experiences of intrusive thoughts about their babies. Her work has been featured in You magazine, Grazia, the Telegraph and BBC R4’s Woman's Hour, and she’s an Ambassador for UK perinatal mental health charity, PANDAS. Caroline shares psychology ideas on Instagram and in the media to help parents feel less alone and more connected - to themselves and their children.

You can reach Caroline at drcarolineboyd.com or via Instagram @_drboyd

Caroline offers a self-paced anger course for mothers (USE THE CODE “SPRINGSALE25” TO CLAIM YOUR £100 DISCOUNT):

https://dr-caroline-boyd.mykajabi.com/maternal-rage-sign-up

Take the anger quiz! Visit link below to discover how you express anger in relationships:

https://dr-caroline-boyd.mykajabi.com/anger-quiz


If this episode raises any concerns for you please talk to a trusted health professional such as your GP. 

You can also reach out to the services below:

UK: PANDAS – 0808 1961 776

Samaritans – 116 123

 

US: Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD)

For emergency help – call 999 or visit your local A&E department 



Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-17252184 Fri, 30 May 2025 10:00:00 +0100 2345 4 5 full false S4 Ep4: Supporting your ADHD in the Postpartum with Alixandra Bacon and Dusty Chipura S4 Ep4: Supporting your ADHD in the Postpartum with Alixandra Bacon and Dusty Chipura Today I talk with registered midwife, adjunct Professor and public speaker Alixandra Bacon, and Master ADHD and pregnancy coach Dusty Chipura, all about supporting your ADHD during the postpartum. They bring their personal stories and professional perspectives to the conversation.

You can find more about the amazing resource they have created 'The ADHD and Postpartum Workbook' here:

https://www.vancouveradhdcoaching.com/downloads/postpartum-workbook/


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I talk with registered midwife, adjunct Professor and public speaker Alixandra Bacon, and Master ADHD and pregnancy coach Dusty Chipura, all about supporting your ADHD during the postpartum. They bring their personal stories and professional perspectives to the conversation.

You can find more about the amazing resource they have created 'The ADHD and Postpartum Workbook' here:

https://www.vancouveradhdcoaching.com/downloads/postpartum-workbook/


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-17208362 Thu, 22 May 2025 11:00:00 +0100 2191 4 4 full false S4 Ep3: Emotional Planning for the Postnatal Time with Doula & Counsellor Tania Frogoso S4 Ep3: Emotional Planning for the Postnatal Time with Doula & Counsellor Tania Frogoso Today I talk to Tania Frogoso, aka The Grateful Doula. 

Tania offers doula services, perinatal coaching and trauma-informed counselling in-person in Malaga, Spain, and online worldwide.

We discuss her exploration of her own neurodivergence, and why emotional planning for the postnatal time during pregnancy is such a key part of postnatal preparation.

You can find out more about the wonderful work Tania does here: https://www.thegratefuldoula.nl/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I talk to Tania Frogoso, aka The Grateful Doula. 

Tania offers doula services, perinatal coaching and trauma-informed counselling in-person in Malaga, Spain, and online worldwide.

We discuss her exploration of her own neurodivergence, and why emotional planning for the postnatal time during pregnancy is such a key part of postnatal preparation.

You can find out more about the wonderful work Tania does here: https://www.thegratefuldoula.nl/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-17163401 Wed, 14 May 2025 21:00:00 +0100 1807 4 full false S4 Ep2: Preparing for a Neurodivergent Postpartum with Sophie Messager S4 Ep2: Preparing for a Neurodivergent Postpartum with Sophie Messager Today I'm delighted to welcome Dr Sophie Messager, doula, mentor, educator, drummer and author of my favourite postnatal book: 'Why Postnatal Recovery Matters' (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Postnatal-Recovery-Matters-Pinter-Martin/dp/178066625X).

We talk about her own experiences as a mum to neurodivergent children and a late-diagnosed ADHD woman, how to navigate the societal pressures on postnatal experiences to be a certain way, and how to tap into your intuition to find out what works for you and your family.

You can follow Sophie and find out more about her work on Instagram @sophie_messager, Facebook @TheSophieMessager and via www.sophiemessager.com.


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I'm delighted to welcome Dr Sophie Messager, doula, mentor, educator, drummer and author of my favourite postnatal book: 'Why Postnatal Recovery Matters' (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Postnatal-Recovery-Matters-Pinter-Martin/dp/178066625X).

We talk about her own experiences as a mum to neurodivergent children and a late-diagnosed ADHD woman, how to navigate the societal pressures on postnatal experiences to be a certain way, and how to tap into your intuition to find out what works for you and your family.

You can follow Sophie and find out more about her work on Instagram @sophie_messager, Facebook @TheSophieMessager and via www.sophiemessager.com.


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-17104357 Mon, 05 May 2025 21:00:00 +0100 2963 4 2 full false S4 Ep1: Neurodivergent Parenting with Lisa Lloyd aka ASD with a G & T S4 Ep1: Neurodivergent Parenting with Lisa Lloyd aka ASD with a G & T Hello and welcome to Season 4!

I'm delighted to welcome Sunday Times Bestselling Author, ND Advocate and Content Queen Lisa Lloyd, aka ASD with a G&T, to the pod today.

You can find out more about Lisa on Facebook @ASDwithGandT, Instagram @asd_with_a_g_and_t and TikTok @asd.with.a.g.and.t

Lisa's book 'Raising the Sen-Betweeners' is available at most bookshops and here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Raising-SEN-Betweeners-bestselling-parenting-between-ebook/dp/B0CYJ6GCJP?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Hello and welcome to Season 4!

I'm delighted to welcome Sunday Times Bestselling Author, ND Advocate and Content Queen Lisa Lloyd, aka ASD with a G&T, to the pod today.

You can find out more about Lisa on Facebook @ASDwithGandT, Instagram @asd_with_a_g_and_t and TikTok @asd.with.a.g.and.t

Lisa's book 'Raising the Sen-Betweeners' is available at most bookshops and here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Raising-SEN-Betweeners-bestselling-parenting-between-ebook/dp/B0CYJ6GCJP?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-17055049 Mon, 28 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0100 2376 4 1 full false S3 BONUS: Breastfeeding, Autism and ADHD with IBCLC Emily Lunny S3 BONUS: Breastfeeding, Autism and ADHD with IBCLC Emily Lunny As we work away preparing for Season 4, we just couldn't wait to bring this bonus episode to you from Season 3, to celebrate the release of Emily's book 'Breastfeeding, Autism and ADHD: Understanding extra support needs and positives for the Autistic or ADHD breastfeeding mother, parent and child'.

Emily Lunny is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), autistic mother and mother to autistic children. She has specialised for many years in supporting parents to breastfeed their autistic children, also regularly speaking and writing on the topic of autism in pregnant or breastfeeding women and parents. Her new book really is the first of its kind on this topic, and written for both professionals and parents who want to improve their understanding of the challenges of breastfeeding for autistic and ADHD women and people, and those breastfeeding an autistic child.

You can purchase Emily's book here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Breastfeeding-Autism-ADHD-Understanding-breastfeeding/dp/B0DR878VD7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=17NSTPYQR0TJ9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AixiwbcVpbuKJpmQECYIqi2Yy1xRTWe9mvu5z61CpALlB5OG-RSvSsh6w12FT1ck.ykOgulEOp1uk6lhcPaFIT6SyMEbkbx0N6b6PqT4iXMo&dib_tag=se&keywords=emily+lunny+breastfeeding&qid=1739374067&sprefix=emily+lunn%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-1

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> As we work away preparing for Season 4, we just couldn't wait to bring this bonus episode to you from Season 3, to celebrate the release of Emily's book 'Breastfeeding, Autism and ADHD: Understanding extra support needs and positives for the Autistic or ADHD breastfeeding mother, parent and child'.

Emily Lunny is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), autistic mother and mother to autistic children. She has specialised for many years in supporting parents to breastfeed their autistic children, also regularly speaking and writing on the topic of autism in pregnant or breastfeeding women and parents. Her new book really is the first of its kind on this topic, and written for both professionals and parents who want to improve their understanding of the challenges of breastfeeding for autistic and ADHD women and people, and those breastfeeding an autistic child.

You can purchase Emily's book here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Breastfeeding-Autism-ADHD-Understanding-breastfeeding/dp/B0DR878VD7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=17NSTPYQR0TJ9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AixiwbcVpbuKJpmQECYIqi2Yy1xRTWe9mvu5z61CpALlB5OG-RSvSsh6w12FT1ck.ykOgulEOp1uk6lhcPaFIT6SyMEbkbx0N6b6PqT4iXMo&dib_tag=se&keywords=emily+lunny+breastfeeding&qid=1739374067&sprefix=emily+lunn%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-1

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-16610087 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:00:00 +0000 2718 3 full false S3 Ep15: Season 3 Finale - Reflections on Celebrating Neurodivergent Perinatal Experiences S3 Ep15: Season 3 Finale - Reflections on Celebrating Neurodivergent Perinatal Experiences Join me for a summary of the season as I reflect on the importance of celebrating diversity in perinatal experiences, and the positives associated with neurodivergent pregnancy, birth and postnatal journeys.

See you in 2025 for Season 4! If you would like to participate or nominate a potential guest, you can get in touch at info@ndbirth.com.


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Join me for a summary of the season as I reflect on the importance of celebrating diversity in perinatal experiences, and the positives associated with neurodivergent pregnancy, birth and postnatal journeys.

See you in 2025 for Season 4! If you would like to participate or nominate a potential guest, you can get in touch at info@ndbirth.com.


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-16005712 Mon, 28 Oct 2024 18:00:00 +0000 938 3 15 full false S3 Ep14: Understanding Birth Trauma from a Neurodivergent Perspective with Dr Emma Svanberg S3 Ep14: Understanding Birth Trauma from a Neurodivergent Perspective with Dr Emma Svanberg Today I talk with Dr Emma Svanberg, clinical psychologist, author, founder of The Psychology Co-operative and co-founder of Make Birth Better CIC.

We talk about her own experiences as an autistic woman with ADHD, understanding birth trauma in the context of neurodivergence, and the evolving awareness and understanding of neurodivergence within perinatal mental health services.

Emma references the white paper by the Autistic Girls Network; 'Autism, Girls & Keeping It All Inside' which you can access here:
https://autisticgirlsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Keeping-it-all-inside.pdf

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I talk with Dr Emma Svanberg, clinical psychologist, author, founder of The Psychology Co-operative and co-founder of Make Birth Better CIC.

We talk about her own experiences as an autistic woman with ADHD, understanding birth trauma in the context of neurodivergence, and the evolving awareness and understanding of neurodivergence within perinatal mental health services.

Emma references the white paper by the Autistic Girls Network; 'Autism, Girls & Keeping It All Inside' which you can access here:
https://autisticgirlsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Keeping-it-all-inside.pdf

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-15918777 Sun, 13 Oct 2024 23:00:00 +0100 2399 3 14 full false S3 Ep13: Introducing a New Baby into a Neurodivergent Family with Autism Consultant Nurse Kimberley Ashwin S3 Ep13: Introducing a New Baby into a Neurodivergent Family with Autism Consultant Nurse Kimberley Ashwin Today I talk to Kimberley Ashwin. Kimberley is an Autism Consultant Nurse and CEO of Autism Oxford. In this episode she shares her experience of the perinatal time from her perspective as a dyslexic person, and shares her tips for introducing a new baby into a neurodivergent family.

You can find out more about the work that Autism Oxford do at https://autismoxford.com/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I talk to Kimberley Ashwin. Kimberley is an Autism Consultant Nurse and CEO of Autism Oxford. In this episode she shares her experience of the perinatal time from her perspective as a dyslexic person, and shares her tips for introducing a new baby into a neurodivergent family.

You can find out more about the work that Autism Oxford do at https://autismoxford.com/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-15840536 Mon, 30 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0100 2058 3 13 full false S3 Ep12: Neurodivergence and Rights with Rebecca Schiller co-founder of charity Birthrights S3 Ep12: Neurodivergence and Rights with Rebecca Schiller co-founder of charity Birthrights Today I talk to Rebecca Schiller. Rebecca is an author, a women’s rights campaigner, co-founder, former trustee and  CEO of the human rights charity Birthrights and an occasional journalist. She also supports writers as a coach and mentor. Today we talk about her own neurodivergent experience and the topic of birth rights in a neurodivergent context. There is also an exciting announcement towards the end of the episode so stay tuned for that!

You can find out more about Rebecca and her work at https://www.rebeccaschiller.co.uk/.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I talk to Rebecca Schiller. Rebecca is an author, a women’s rights campaigner, co-founder, former trustee and  CEO of the human rights charity Birthrights and an occasional journalist. She also supports writers as a coach and mentor. Today we talk about her own neurodivergent experience and the topic of birth rights in a neurodivergent context. There is also an exciting announcement towards the end of the episode so stay tuned for that!

You can find out more about Rebecca and her work at https://www.rebeccaschiller.co.uk/.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-15754440 Sun, 15 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0100 2716 3 12 full false S3 Ep11: ADHD and Postpartum with Jessica McCabe of 'How to ADHD' S3 Ep11: ADHD and Postpartum with Jessica McCabe of 'How to ADHD' Jessica McCabe is the creator, writer, and star of the award-winning, YouTube channel How to ADHD https://www.youtube.com/c/howtoadhd.
 
Since its founding in 2015, How to ADHD has grown to over one and a half million subscribers. 

Jessica is author of The New York Times Bestseller: How to ADHD: An Insider's Guide to Working with Your Brain (Not Against It). In her book, Jessica reveals the insights and tools that have changed her life, and offers expert-backed guidance for adapting your environment, routines and systems to work with the ADHD brain.

Jessica is currently 6 months postpartum after the birth of her daughter, and in today's episode we talk all about her birth, her experience of postnatal depression and anxiety, and the support that has helped her during the postnatal time.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Jessica McCabe is the creator, writer, and star of the award-winning, YouTube channel How to ADHD https://www.youtube.com/c/howtoadhd.
 
Since its founding in 2015, How to ADHD has grown to over one and a half million subscribers. 

Jessica is author of The New York Times Bestseller: How to ADHD: An Insider's Guide to Working with Your Brain (Not Against It). In her book, Jessica reveals the insights and tools that have changed her life, and offers expert-backed guidance for adapting your environment, routines and systems to work with the ADHD brain.

Jessica is currently 6 months postpartum after the birth of her daughter, and in today's episode we talk all about her birth, her experience of postnatal depression and anxiety, and the support that has helped her during the postnatal time.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-15719087 Mon, 09 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0100 3971 3 11 full false S3 Ep10: Neurodivergence, Intersectionality and Intergenerational Trauma with Leah Lewin S3 Ep10: Neurodivergence, Intersectionality and Intergenerational Trauma with Leah Lewin Today I talk to Leah Lewin, aka the perinatal specialist. Leah is a birth worker and consultant with extensive expertise in trauma-informed care, birth trauma, perinatal mental health, and obstetric violence.

In this episode we discuss intersectionality and perinatal experiences, with neurodivergence being just one facet of a person's identity, and how intergenerational trauma impacts these experiences.

You can find out more about Leah's work at https://www.theperinatalspecialist.com/ and on Instagram @theperinatalspecialist.

Leah references the book 'Postraumatic Slave Syndrome' by Dr Joy DeGruy https://www.joydegruy.com/ in the episode.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I talk to Leah Lewin, aka the perinatal specialist. Leah is a birth worker and consultant with extensive expertise in trauma-informed care, birth trauma, perinatal mental health, and obstetric violence.

In this episode we discuss intersectionality and perinatal experiences, with neurodivergence being just one facet of a person's identity, and how intergenerational trauma impacts these experiences.

You can find out more about Leah's work at https://www.theperinatalspecialist.com/ and on Instagram @theperinatalspecialist.

Leah references the book 'Postraumatic Slave Syndrome' by Dr Joy DeGruy https://www.joydegruy.com/ in the episode.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-15606981 Mon, 19 Aug 2024 18:00:00 +0100 1870 3 10 full false S3 Ep9: Supporting Neurodivergent Lactation using Mindfulness Tools with Anna Le Grange IBCLC S3 Ep9: Supporting Neurodivergent Lactation using Mindfulness Tools with Anna Le Grange IBCLC Anna Le Grange is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Registered Paediatric Nurse, Mindfulness teacher and Author. She has worked with new families for over 20 years in a variety of clinical roles brings her passion for psychology, neuroscience and mindfulness into her lactation work.  Today we discuss her experiences living in a neurodivergent family, and how mindful breastfeeding tools and techniques can be beneficial to neurodivergent families.

You can find out more about the Supporting Neurodivergent Lactation workshop here: https://www.themindfulbreastfeedingschool.com/offers/p9FdAgY9/checkout

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Anna Le Grange is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Registered Paediatric Nurse, Mindfulness teacher and Author. She has worked with new families for over 20 years in a variety of clinical roles brings her passion for psychology, neuroscience and mindfulness into her lactation work.  Today we discuss her experiences living in a neurodivergent family, and how mindful breastfeeding tools and techniques can be beneficial to neurodivergent families.

You can find out more about the Supporting Neurodivergent Lactation workshop here: https://www.themindfulbreastfeedingschool.com/offers/p9FdAgY9/checkout

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-15532008 Mon, 05 Aug 2024 13:00:00 +0100 2218 3 9 full false S3 Ep8: Neurodivergence and Perinatal Mental Health with Sally Bunkham of PANDAS S3 Ep8: Neurodivergence and Perinatal Mental Health with Sally Bunkham of PANDAS In today's episode I speak with Sally Bunkham, Communications and Development manager for UK charity PANDAS, who exist to support people suffering from perinatal mental illness including anxiety and depression.

We talk about Sally’s experiences as a mother of neurodivergent children, and the increased risk of postnatal mood disorders within the ND community.

WARNING: Please note this episode includes open and honest accounts of experiences of PND including self-harm.

The studies referenced in the podcast episode can be found here:
https://molecularautism.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13229-019-0304-2
https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1767068/FULLTEXT01.pdf
https://www.jognn.org/article/S0884-2175(21)00254-9/fulltext

You can find our more about PANDAS and their support services at https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/, and you can listen to their podcast episode about rage with Dr Caroline Boyd here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-rage-ft-dr-caroline-boyd-how-normal-is-anger-when/id1756488171?i=1000662291969

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> In today's episode I speak with Sally Bunkham, Communications and Development manager for UK charity PANDAS, who exist to support people suffering from perinatal mental illness including anxiety and depression.

We talk about Sally’s experiences as a mother of neurodivergent children, and the increased risk of postnatal mood disorders within the ND community.

WARNING: Please note this episode includes open and honest accounts of experiences of PND including self-harm.

The studies referenced in the podcast episode can be found here:
https://molecularautism.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13229-019-0304-2
https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1767068/FULLTEXT01.pdf
https://www.jognn.org/article/S0884-2175(21)00254-9/fulltext

You can find our more about PANDAS and their support services at https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/, and you can listen to their podcast episode about rage with Dr Caroline Boyd here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-rage-ft-dr-caroline-boyd-how-normal-is-anger-when/id1756488171?i=1000662291969

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-15479603 Sun, 28 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0100 2219 3 8 full false S3 Ep7: Supporting Neurodivergent Nervous Systems with EFT Tapping - with Grace Walker S3 Ep7: Supporting Neurodivergent Nervous Systems with EFT Tapping - with Grace Walker Today I speak with Grace Walker who is an EFT Practitioner, reiki energy healer and coach. Grace talks about motherhood in her neurodivergent family, and the power of EFT tapping for regulating her own, and her children's nervous systems.

You can find out more about Grace's work and tapping at https://www.withgracewellness.com/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I speak with Grace Walker who is an EFT Practitioner, reiki energy healer and coach. Grace talks about motherhood in her neurodivergent family, and the power of EFT tapping for regulating her own, and her children's nervous systems.

You can find out more about Grace's work and tapping at https://www.withgracewellness.com/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-15451310 Mon, 22 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0100 3983 3 7 full false S3 Ep6: Supporting Neurodivergent Induction Experiences with Erin Fung of Better Birth UK S3 Ep6: Supporting Neurodivergent Induction Experiences with Erin Fung of Better Birth UK Today I chat to Erin Fung of Better Birth UK (https://www.better-birth.co.uk/).
 
Erin is a neurodivergent mum of 3, an antenatal educator, hypnobirthing teacher and guest lecturer on the midwifery course at Greenwich University.

Today we talk about her own experience of the postnatal time, her perspective on neurodivergent experiences of induction and how to prepare for an induction process.

The blog post the Erin refers to regarding your right to record appointments can be accessed here.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I chat to Erin Fung of Better Birth UK (https://www.better-birth.co.uk/).
 
Erin is a neurodivergent mum of 3, an antenatal educator, hypnobirthing teacher and guest lecturer on the midwifery course at Greenwich University.

Today we talk about her own experience of the postnatal time, her perspective on neurodivergent experiences of induction and how to prepare for an induction process.

The blog post the Erin refers to regarding your right to record appointments can be accessed here.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-15349718 Fri, 05 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0100 2346 3 6 full false S3 Ep5: Neurodivergent Life Coaching with Megan Griffith @theneurocuriosityclub S3 Ep5: Neurodivergent Life Coaching with Megan Griffith @theneurocuriosityclub Today I chat with Megan Griffith who is an AuDHDer, neurodiversity coach and founder of The Neurocuriosity Club https://www.theneurocuriosityclub.com/ Instagram @theneurodiversityclub.

We discuss her own perinatal experiences, including her twin pregnancy and birth, the challenges of executive dysfunction, and what neurodiversity life coaching is.

The paper that Megan refers to in the episode can be accessed here.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I chat with Megan Griffith who is an AuDHDer, neurodiversity coach and founder of The Neurocuriosity Club https://www.theneurocuriosityclub.com/ Instagram @theneurodiversityclub.

We discuss her own perinatal experiences, including her twin pregnancy and birth, the challenges of executive dysfunction, and what neurodiversity life coaching is.

The paper that Megan refers to in the episode can be accessed here.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-15339961 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0100 2199 3 5 full false S3 Ep4: An Autistic Dad's Perspective of the Perinatal Period with Mike Sandiford of Dad Matters S3 Ep4: An Autistic Dad's Perspective of the Perinatal Period with Mike Sandiford of Dad Matters In today's episode I chat to Mike Sandiford. Mike is the Health Inequalities Coordinator at Dad Matters, which is a Home-Start project aimed at supporting dads in the perinatal period with attachment and bonding, mental health, supporting partners and accessing services. Mike shares with us his experience as an autistic father, and talks about the work he does supporting neurodivergent dads. You can find out more about the work that Dad Matters do at https://dadmatters.org.uk/.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> In today's episode I chat to Mike Sandiford. Mike is the Health Inequalities Coordinator at Dad Matters, which is a Home-Start project aimed at supporting dads in the perinatal period with attachment and bonding, mental health, supporting partners and accessing services. Mike shares with us his experience as an autistic father, and talks about the work he does supporting neurodivergent dads. You can find out more about the work that Dad Matters do at https://dadmatters.org.uk/.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-15298155 Sun, 23 Jun 2024 21:00:00 +0100 2106 3 4 full false S3 Ep3: Supporting Infant Feeding in Neurodivergent Families with Lucy Webber IBCLC S3 Ep3: Supporting Infant Feeding in Neurodivergent Families with Lucy Webber IBCLC Today I talk to Lucy Webber IBCLC. Lucy is a former midwife and lactation consultant, and mum to 3 neurodivergent children. We talk all about the positives and the challenges of infant feeding from a neurodivergent perspective, and how feeding can be a fantastic tool for nervous system regulation for both parent and child. You can find out more about the wonderful work Lucy does at https://www.lmjinfantfeedingsupport.com/ and follow her hugely popular Instagram account @lucywebberfeedingsupport_ibclc.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I talk to Lucy Webber IBCLC. Lucy is a former midwife and lactation consultant, and mum to 3 neurodivergent children. We talk all about the positives and the challenges of infant feeding from a neurodivergent perspective, and how feeding can be a fantastic tool for nervous system regulation for both parent and child. You can find out more about the wonderful work Lucy does at https://www.lmjinfantfeedingsupport.com/ and follow her hugely popular Instagram account @lucywebberfeedingsupport_ibclc.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-15261592 Mon, 17 Jun 2024 11:00:00 +0100 2316 3 3 full false S3 Ep2: Autistic Birth Preparation with Vanessa D'Souza aka The Autistic Chef S3 Ep2: Autistic Birth Preparation with Vanessa D'Souza aka The Autistic Chef Today I chat with Vanessa D'Souza. Vanessa was a BBC Masterchef UK semi-finalist and is known as The Austitic Chef on social media. She is currently pregnant with her first child, and in this episode she shares her autistic experience of preparing for birth including navigating appointments, changing hospitals, finding a doula and much more. It’s a great conversation and I’m so grateful to her for sharing her story with us. 

You can follow Vanessa on Instagram @the.autistic.chef

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I chat with Vanessa D'Souza. Vanessa was a BBC Masterchef UK semi-finalist and is known as The Austitic Chef on social media. She is currently pregnant with her first child, and in this episode she shares her autistic experience of preparing for birth including navigating appointments, changing hospitals, finding a doula and much more. It’s a great conversation and I’m so grateful to her for sharing her story with us. 

You can follow Vanessa on Instagram @the.autistic.chef

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-15217839 Sun, 09 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +0100 2832 3 2 full false S3 Ep1: Autism and Perinatal Mental Health with Verity Westgate S3 Ep1: Autism and Perinatal Mental Health with Verity Westgate Welcome back to the Podcast! The theme of Season 3 is 'celebrating diversity in perinatal experiences' and we kick off by sharing a conversation with Verity Westgate. 

Verity has worked with Autism Oxford UK since 2022 delivering autism training to community perinatal mental health teams. She was inspired to develop this training after her own experiences being diagnosed as autistic whilst being looked after in one of these teams.

In her day job, Verity works as a project manager in clinical research at the University of Oxford, but spends a lot of time as an “expert by experience”, working with NHS England and the Royal College of Psychiatrists amongst others. She is also a PhD student at the University of Exeter; her PhD is looking at the experiences of autistic women and birthing people accessing community perinatal mental health services, aiming to develop recommendations to be used within the NHS. Verity shares her professional and personal experiences with us today. I hope you enjoy the episode!

You can find out more about the works of Autism Oxford UK at https://autismoxford.com/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome back to the Podcast! The theme of Season 3 is 'celebrating diversity in perinatal experiences' and we kick off by sharing a conversation with Verity Westgate. 

Verity has worked with Autism Oxford UK since 2022 delivering autism training to community perinatal mental health teams. She was inspired to develop this training after her own experiences being diagnosed as autistic whilst being looked after in one of these teams.

In her day job, Verity works as a project manager in clinical research at the University of Oxford, but spends a lot of time as an “expert by experience”, working with NHS England and the Royal College of Psychiatrists amongst others. She is also a PhD student at the University of Exeter; her PhD is looking at the experiences of autistic women and birthing people accessing community perinatal mental health services, aiming to develop recommendations to be used within the NHS. Verity shares her professional and personal experiences with us today. I hope you enjoy the episode!

You can find out more about the works of Autism Oxford UK at https://autismoxford.com/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-15182338 Mon, 03 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0100 1932 3 1 full false S2 Ep17: Neurodivergence and lactation with Lucy Ruddle IBCLC S2 Ep17: Neurodivergence and lactation with Lucy Ruddle IBCLC Today's episode is with Lucy Ruddle IBCLC. Lucy is a lactation consultant, breastfeeding counsellor and holistic sleep coach. Lucy has ADHD and is a mum to two ND children. We talk about her own experiences, discuss neurodivergent infant feeding challenges and positives, and reflect on the amazing tool that lactation is for co-regulating the nervous systems of both parents and children, particularly in neurodivergent families when this can be even more powerful. You can find out more about Lucy's work at lucyruddle.co.uk.

This is our final episode of Season 2, but do stayed tuned for Season 3 launching in May which is recording now. If you’d like to participate, contact us via ndbirth.com.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today's episode is with Lucy Ruddle IBCLC. Lucy is a lactation consultant, breastfeeding counsellor and holistic sleep coach. Lucy has ADHD and is a mum to two ND children. We talk about her own experiences, discuss neurodivergent infant feeding challenges and positives, and reflect on the amazing tool that lactation is for co-regulating the nervous systems of both parents and children, particularly in neurodivergent families when this can be even more powerful. You can find out more about Lucy's work at lucyruddle.co.uk.

This is our final episode of Season 2, but do stayed tuned for Season 3 launching in May which is recording now. If you’d like to participate, contact us via ndbirth.com.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-14520432 Sat, 17 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000 2457 2 17 full false S2 Ep16: ADHD, wellbeing and self-compassion with Kate Moryoussef S2 Ep16: ADHD, wellbeing and self-compassion with Kate Moryoussef Hello and welcome to Episode 16 of Season 2! Today I talk with Kate Moryoussef.

Kate is the host of the amazing ADHD Women’s Wellbeing podcast and associated workshops, and is as an accredited EFT and NLP practitioner and wellbeing coach.

Today we talk about her own experiences, and the importance of self-compassion when looking after our own wellbeing as we navigate the perinatal time and parenthood. You can find out more about Kate and the amazing work she does at https://www.adhdwomenswellbeing.co.uk/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Hello and welcome to Episode 16 of Season 2! Today I talk with Kate Moryoussef.

Kate is the host of the amazing ADHD Women’s Wellbeing podcast and associated workshops, and is as an accredited EFT and NLP practitioner and wellbeing coach.

Today we talk about her own experiences, and the importance of self-compassion when looking after our own wellbeing as we navigate the perinatal time and parenthood. You can find out more about Kate and the amazing work she does at https://www.adhdwomenswellbeing.co.uk/

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-14466708 Thu, 08 Feb 2024 20:00:00 +0000 2697 2 16 full false S2 Ep15: Fathers, ADHD and perinatal mental health with Mark Williams S2 Ep15: Fathers, ADHD and perinatal mental health with Mark Williams Today I talk with Mark Williams. Mark is a keynote speaker, author and international mental health campaigner, who in 2004 himself experienced depression after the birth of his son.

He founded International Fathers Mental Health Day and the #howareyoudad campaign, and was awarded Inspirational Father of the year and local hero at the Pride of Britain Awards in 2012. He was also awarded the Point Of light Award by the Prime Minister in 2019 and 2023 Mark was awarded the British Citizens Award for Health Care.

In 2020 Mark published the report "Fathers Reaching Out - Why Dads Matter" to explain the importance of paternal mental health to families.

Mark has ADHD and in this episode he shares his own experiences, reflects on his work with neurodivergent fathers and also the positives of parenting with ADHD.

You can find more out about Mark at www.howareyoudad.co.uk, and view his TEDx talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/mark_williams_the_importance_of_new_fathers_mental_health.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Today I talk with Mark Williams. Mark is a keynote speaker, author and international mental health campaigner, who in 2004 himself experienced depression after the birth of his son.

He founded International Fathers Mental Health Day and the #howareyoudad campaign, and was awarded Inspirational Father of the year and local hero at the Pride of Britain Awards in 2012. He was also awarded the Point Of light Award by the Prime Minister in 2019 and 2023 Mark was awarded the British Citizens Award for Health Care.

In 2020 Mark published the report "Fathers Reaching Out - Why Dads Matter" to explain the importance of paternal mental health to families.

Mark has ADHD and in this episode he shares his own experiences, reflects on his work with neurodivergent fathers and also the positives of parenting with ADHD.

You can find more out about Mark at www.howareyoudad.co.uk, and view his TEDx talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/mark_williams_the_importance_of_new_fathers_mental_health.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-14405641 Tue, 30 Jan 2024 14:00:00 +0000 2282 2 15 full false S2 Ep14: Neurodivergence, birth and Menstrual Cycle Awareness with Maisie Hill S2 Ep14: Neurodivergence, birth and Menstrual Cycle Awareness with Maisie Hill Welcome to this week's episode! Today I interview Maisie Hill. Maisie is an expert in menstrual health and is the celebrated author of Period Power, and Perimenopause Power. She shares with us her experience of the perinatal time as late-diagnosed autistic person, her insights on the fascinating interplay between hormones and neurodivergent experiences, and how menstrual cycle tracking can benefit everyone in better understanding ourselves and improving mental health. You can find out more about her work at maisiehill.com.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome to this week's episode! Today I interview Maisie Hill. Maisie is an expert in menstrual health and is the celebrated author of Period Power, and Perimenopause Power. She shares with us her experience of the perinatal time as late-diagnosed autistic person, her insights on the fascinating interplay between hormones and neurodivergent experiences, and how menstrual cycle tracking can benefit everyone in better understanding ourselves and improving mental health. You can find out more about her work at maisiehill.com.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-14367500 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000 3427 2 14 full false S2 Ep13: Perinatal psychiatry and diagnosing neurodivergence with Dr Sam Porter S2 Ep13: Perinatal psychiatry and diagnosing neurodivergence with Dr Sam Porter In today's episode I talk to Dr Sam Porter. Sam is a neurodivergent NHS consultant perinatal psychiatrist and a psychiatry lead with Autistic Doctors International.

Sam talks about his work supporting neurodivergent people perinatally, why he feels diagnosing autism and ADHD needs to be part of mainstream psychiatry, and how diagnosis can make the difference in whether or not some families are able to stay together. This is important work, and this episode highlights that more than ever.

You can follow Sam on X @PerinatalBirder.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> In today's episode I talk to Dr Sam Porter. Sam is a neurodivergent NHS consultant perinatal psychiatrist and a psychiatry lead with Autistic Doctors International.

Sam talks about his work supporting neurodivergent people perinatally, why he feels diagnosing autism and ADHD needs to be part of mainstream psychiatry, and how diagnosis can make the difference in whether or not some families are able to stay together. This is important work, and this episode highlights that more than ever.

You can follow Sam on X @PerinatalBirder.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-14318628 Tue, 16 Jan 2024 13:00:00 +0000 2862 2 13 full false S2 Ep12: ADHD and pregnancy with Jessica McCabe, creator of 'How to ADHD' S2 Ep12: ADHD and pregnancy with Jessica McCabe, creator of 'How to ADHD' Jessica McCabe is the creator, writer, and star of the award-winning, YouTube channel How to ADHD https://www.youtube.com/c/howtoadhd.
 
Since its founding in 2015, How to ADHD has grown to over one and a half million subscribers. 

Jessica releases her first book on the 2nd January 2024 titled:

How to ADHD: An Insider's Guide to Working with Your Brain (Not Against It). 

In How to ADHD, Jessica reveals the insights and tools that have changed her life, and offers expert-backed guidance for adapting your environment, routines and systems to work with the ADHD brain.

Jessica is currently pregnant with her first child, and in today's episode we talk all about her pregnancy, her birth preparation, and the importance of putting support strategies in place for her postnatal time.


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Jessica McCabe is the creator, writer, and star of the award-winning, YouTube channel How to ADHD https://www.youtube.com/c/howtoadhd.
 
Since its founding in 2015, How to ADHD has grown to over one and a half million subscribers. 

Jessica releases her first book on the 2nd January 2024 titled:

How to ADHD: An Insider's Guide to Working with Your Brain (Not Against It). 

In How to ADHD, Jessica reveals the insights and tools that have changed her life, and offers expert-backed guidance for adapting your environment, routines and systems to work with the ADHD brain.

Jessica is currently pregnant with her first child, and in today's episode we talk all about her pregnancy, her birth preparation, and the importance of putting support strategies in place for her postnatal time.


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-14224897 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 2944 2 12 full false S2 Ep11: Perinatal mental health and neurodiversity with @adhdfatheruk Jacob Kelly S2 Ep11: Perinatal mental health and neurodiversity with @adhdfatheruk Jacob Kelly Welcome to Episode 11 of Season 2! Today I talk with Jacob Kelly who you can find on instagram @adhdfatheruk. Jacob is a mental health and neurodiversity advocate and shares his experiences of being an ADHD parent and of his postnatal depression to educate and support neurodivergent people. 

In this episode we talk about postnatal depression in dads and partners, his work supporting people on a mother and baby unit, and the positives of parenting with ADHD along with much more.


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome to Episode 11 of Season 2! Today I talk with Jacob Kelly who you can find on instagram @adhdfatheruk. Jacob is a mental health and neurodiversity advocate and shares his experiences of being an ADHD parent and of his postnatal depression to educate and support neurodivergent people. 

In this episode we talk about postnatal depression in dads and partners, his work supporting people on a mother and baby unit, and the positives of parenting with ADHD along with much more.


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-14174576 Tue, 19 Dec 2023 17:00:00 +0000 3157 2 11 full false S2 Ep10: Understanding ADHD as a neurological difference and ADHD coaching with Dr Lucy Thompson S2 Ep10: Understanding ADHD as a neurological difference and ADHD coaching with Dr Lucy Thompson Dr Lucy Thompson is a Senior Research Fellow in the Centre for Rural Health within the Institute of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Aberdeen.  She has PhD in Psychology and a Master of Public Health which provided the ideal foundation for her research in early child development and parental wellbeing. Lucy is also the mum of a son with ADHD and has been exploring her own neurodivergence. She has recently embarked on a career as an ADHD coach. She talks about ADHD coaching today, along with the importance of understanding ADHD as a neurological difference, and supporting neurodivergent families holistically.

You can contact Lucy by email lucythompsoncc (at) gmail.com,  and check out her link tree https://linktr.ee/drlucyt. She is presenting 2 upcoming in-person SEED talks about ADHD and women , one on the 16th Jan in Glasgow https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/adhd-and-women-misunderstood-misdiagnosed-moving-forward-for-change-tickets-760496584757 and the other on the 17th Jan in Newcastle: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/adhd-and-women-misunderstood-misdiagnosed-moving-forward-for-change-tickets-760551809937


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Dr Lucy Thompson is a Senior Research Fellow in the Centre for Rural Health within the Institute of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Aberdeen.  She has PhD in Psychology and a Master of Public Health which provided the ideal foundation for her research in early child development and parental wellbeing. Lucy is also the mum of a son with ADHD and has been exploring her own neurodivergence. She has recently embarked on a career as an ADHD coach. She talks about ADHD coaching today, along with the importance of understanding ADHD as a neurological difference, and supporting neurodivergent families holistically.

You can contact Lucy by email lucythompsoncc (at) gmail.com,  and check out her link tree https://linktr.ee/drlucyt. She is presenting 2 upcoming in-person SEED talks about ADHD and women , one on the 16th Jan in Glasgow https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/adhd-and-women-misunderstood-misdiagnosed-moving-forward-for-change-tickets-760496584757 and the other on the 17th Jan in Newcastle: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/adhd-and-women-misunderstood-misdiagnosed-moving-forward-for-change-tickets-760551809937


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-14128765 Mon, 11 Dec 2023 21:00:00 +0000 2276 2 10 full false S2 Ep9: Supporting Neurodivergent Birth through reflexology, hypnosis and NLP with Nicola Crawley S2 Ep9: Supporting Neurodivergent Birth through reflexology, hypnosis and NLP with Nicola Crawley Welcome to this episode with Nicola Crawley. Nicola is a master NLP practitioner, hypnotherapist and reflexologist. She talks about ND fertility experiences, the benefits of hypnobirthing visualisations as a ND person (even if you find visual imagery challenging), the gifts of reflexology and much more.

You can find out more about Nicola and her work at www.sunflowerfab.com.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome to this episode with Nicola Crawley. Nicola is a master NLP practitioner, hypnotherapist and reflexologist. She talks about ND fertility experiences, the benefits of hypnobirthing visualisations as a ND person (even if you find visual imagery challenging), the gifts of reflexology and much more.

You can find out more about Nicola and her work at www.sunflowerfab.com.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White Buzzsprout-14094967 Tue, 05 Dec 2023 20:00:00 +0000 2102 2 9 full false S2 Ep8: Pathological Demand Avoidance and perinatal experiences with Kristy Forbes S2 Ep8: Pathological Demand Avoidance and perinatal experiences with Kristy Forbes Kristy Forbes is an Australian based autism & neurodiversity support specialist.

She supports neurodivergent people and their families; and professionals who wish to support them.

Her work is informed by her extensive professional experience as an educator, but her most valuable insights come from lived experience.

Kristy is formally identified autistic, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) as well as being a parent to four neurodivergent children.

Today she shares with us her perspective of perinatal experiences as a pdaer and how to support PDA birthing people.

You can find out more about Kristy's work at https://www.kristyforbes.com.au.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Kristy Forbes is an Australian based autism & neurodiversity support specialist.

She supports neurodivergent people and their families; and professionals who wish to support them.

Her work is informed by her extensive professional experience as an educator, but her most valuable insights come from lived experience.

Kristy is formally identified autistic, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) as well as being a parent to four neurodivergent children.

Today she shares with us her perspective of perinatal experiences as a pdaer and how to support PDA birthing people.

You can find out more about Kristy's work at https://www.kristyforbes.com.au.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-14040275 Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000 2827 2 8 full false S2 Ep7: An independent midwife's perspective with Sarah Fitzsimmons S2 Ep7: An independent midwife's perspective with Sarah Fitzsimmons Welcome to episode 7 of season 2! Today I talk to Sarah Fitzsimmons, an independent midwife and ADHDer. Sarah has worked both within the NHS and independently as a midwife since 2008. She shares her own experience of discovering her neurodivergence whilst working as a midwife, and her experience of supporting neurodivergent people perinatally. You can find out more at https://www.myindependentmidwife.co.uk/.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome to episode 7 of season 2! Today I talk to Sarah Fitzsimmons, an independent midwife and ADHDer. Sarah has worked both within the NHS and independently as a midwife since 2008. She shares her own experience of discovering her neurodivergence whilst working as a midwife, and her experience of supporting neurodivergent people perinatally. You can find out more at https://www.myindependentmidwife.co.uk/.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-14004424 Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000 2346 2 7 full false S2 Ep6: Late diagnosis, hyperfocus and birthwork with doula Jaely Turner S2 Ep6: Late diagnosis, hyperfocus and birthwork with doula Jaely Turner Hello and welcome to episode 6. Today I interview Jaely Turner. Jaely is a late diagnosed autistic ADHDer, doula and founder of Our Village Circle birth services and podcast. She shares her perinatal experiences with us, her late diagnosis story, and how hyper focus led her to pursue birth work. You can find out more about Jaely and the services she offers at www.ourvillagecircle.com.

If you are a birth worker like Jaely and would like to find out more about how you can develop your understanding of neurodivergent support perinatally, why not join us on one of our November workshops on either the 21st and 22nd or the 28th and 29th November. Head to ndbirth.com to secure your spot! 

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Hello and welcome to episode 6. Today I interview Jaely Turner. Jaely is a late diagnosed autistic ADHDer, doula and founder of Our Village Circle birth services and podcast. She shares her perinatal experiences with us, her late diagnosis story, and how hyper focus led her to pursue birth work. You can find out more about Jaely and the services she offers at www.ourvillagecircle.com.

If you are a birth worker like Jaely and would like to find out more about how you can develop your understanding of neurodivergent support perinatally, why not join us on one of our November workshops on either the 21st and 22nd or the 28th and 29th November. Head to ndbirth.com to secure your spot! 

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-13953828 Sun, 12 Nov 2023 09:00:00 +0000 2696 2 6 full false S2 Ep5: Intersectionality and neurodiversity with doula Emily Snape S2 Ep5: Intersectionality and neurodiversity with doula Emily Snape Welcome to episode 5 of season 2! In this episode I talk to Emily Snape, doula and neurodivergent & human rights advocate. You can find Emily on Instagram at @theneurodivergentmomsclub. We talk about her experiences as an AuDHDer and mum of 3, and discuss intersectionality and neurodiversity.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome to episode 5 of season 2! In this episode I talk to Emily Snape, doula and neurodivergent & human rights advocate. You can find Emily on Instagram at @theneurodivergentmomsclub. We talk about her experiences as an AuDHDer and mum of 3, and discuss intersectionality and neurodiversity.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-13916918 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000 3058 2 5 full false S2 Ep4: ADHD, dopamine and the oestrogen train with The ADHD Midwife Laura Spence S2 Ep4: ADHD, dopamine and the oestrogen train with The ADHD Midwife Laura Spence Welcome to episode 4! In this episode we talk to the amazing Laura Spence, known all over the internet as The ADHD Midwife. Laura has been a great friend to ND Birth since the beginning, and she is doing amazing work to better understand the ADHD perspective of perinatal experiences, and to educate her fellow health professionals on the topic. Give her a follow @the_adhd_midwife to find out more.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome to episode 4! In this episode we talk to the amazing Laura Spence, known all over the internet as The ADHD Midwife. Laura has been a great friend to ND Birth since the beginning, and she is doing amazing work to better understand the ADHD perspective of perinatal experiences, and to educate her fellow health professionals on the topic. Give her a follow @the_adhd_midwife to find out more.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-13846884 Fri, 27 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0100 4211 2 4 full false S2 Ep 3: Autism, ADHD and perinatal experiences with Purple Ella S2 Ep 3: Autism, ADHD and perinatal experiences with Purple Ella In today's episode I interview You Tube vlogger Purple Ella. Ella is an autistic parent, neurodivergent content creator, and a fan of all things purple. She shares with us her perspective of navigating pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period as someone who is both autistic and has ADHD, and reflects on the overlap and interplay between the two neurotypes.

You can access Ella's content and follow her here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzske-KMAJYQn84rz6oD_yA
https://www.instagram.com/purpleellaandcoco

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> In today's episode I interview You Tube vlogger Purple Ella. Ella is an autistic parent, neurodivergent content creator, and a fan of all things purple. She shares with us her perspective of navigating pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period as someone who is both autistic and has ADHD, and reflects on the overlap and interplay between the two neurotypes.

You can access Ella's content and follow her here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzske-KMAJYQn84rz6oD_yA
https://www.instagram.com/purpleellaandcoco

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-13815829 Sat, 21 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0100 1767 2 3 full false S2 Ep2: An autistic midwife's perspective with Karen Henry S2 Ep2: An autistic midwife's perspective with Karen Henry Karen is a midwife, researcher and lecturer in midwifery at the University of Suffolk. She has 5 children and was diagnosed as autistic alongside her fourth and fifth children in 2009. In 2019 Karen was nominated for a Florence Nightingale scholarship and was supported to create a series of communication support plans for autistic people. Karen completed a Master of Arts in autism in 2022 and is passionate about enhancing autistic peoples maternity experiences through co-producing training packages for maternity staff.

The support plans can be found here: https://www.all4maternity.com/providing-accessible-healthcare-for-autistic-women/

Henry, K. (2023) Providing accessible healthcare for Autistic Women. The Practising Midwife, 26 (2). pp. 37-41. ISSN 1461-3123

Henry, K. (2022) Human rights in childbearing: supporting Autistic Midwives in the workplace. The Practising Midwife, 25 (11). pp. 14-17. ISSN 1461-3123 

Henry, K. (2017). ‘Empowering women with autism’. Midwifery Matters. December 2017, 155, pp.10-11.

Karen is happy to be contacted on Twitter: @karenhenry1012 

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Karen is a midwife, researcher and lecturer in midwifery at the University of Suffolk. She has 5 children and was diagnosed as autistic alongside her fourth and fifth children in 2009. In 2019 Karen was nominated for a Florence Nightingale scholarship and was supported to create a series of communication support plans for autistic people. Karen completed a Master of Arts in autism in 2022 and is passionate about enhancing autistic peoples maternity experiences through co-producing training packages for maternity staff.

The support plans can be found here: https://www.all4maternity.com/providing-accessible-healthcare-for-autistic-women/

Henry, K. (2023) Providing accessible healthcare for Autistic Women. The Practising Midwife, 26 (2). pp. 37-41. ISSN 1461-3123

Henry, K. (2022) Human rights in childbearing: supporting Autistic Midwives in the workplace. The Practising Midwife, 25 (11). pp. 14-17. ISSN 1461-3123 

Henry, K. (2017). ‘Empowering women with autism’. Midwifery Matters. December 2017, 155, pp.10-11.

Karen is happy to be contacted on Twitter: @karenhenry1012 

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-13773176 Sun, 15 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0100 2528 2 2 full false S2 Ep1 Empowerment as an autistic mother with Hayley Morgan S2 Ep1 Empowerment as an autistic mother with Hayley Morgan Welcome to Season 2! It's great to be back. The theme of this season is to ask the question 'why does supporting neurodivergent birth matter'? 

We kick things off by exploring this with Hayley Morgan who is an autistic mother, researcher and author. Hayley began writing about the autistic birth experience in 2015. Pregnant with her second child, her formal diagnosis of autism meant she learned about herself and her child on what would be a beautiful journey. Inspired to learn more about her neurotype, Hayley joined MSc Autism and Related Conditions at Swansea University Medical School. While completing this degree, she wrote for online magazines, blogs and more before submitting her MSc dissertation survey on the autistic birth experience.

At the start of 2021 Hayley secured a book deal to co-author a book on the topic with JKP publishers and started her PhD on the autistic birth experience. This work is currently focused on specific issues raised from her MSc data i.e. autonomy, consent, capacity and specific barriers.

Hayley is part of the team at the 'Maternity Autism Research Group'. You can find out more about the work they do, and links to a wide range of resources on this topic, at maternityautismresearchgroup.co.uk.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Welcome to Season 2! It's great to be back. The theme of this season is to ask the question 'why does supporting neurodivergent birth matter'? 

We kick things off by exploring this with Hayley Morgan who is an autistic mother, researcher and author. Hayley began writing about the autistic birth experience in 2015. Pregnant with her second child, her formal diagnosis of autism meant she learned about herself and her child on what would be a beautiful journey. Inspired to learn more about her neurotype, Hayley joined MSc Autism and Related Conditions at Swansea University Medical School. While completing this degree, she wrote for online magazines, blogs and more before submitting her MSc dissertation survey on the autistic birth experience.

At the start of 2021 Hayley secured a book deal to co-author a book on the topic with JKP publishers and started her PhD on the autistic birth experience. This work is currently focused on specific issues raised from her MSc data i.e. autonomy, consent, capacity and specific barriers.

Hayley is part of the team at the 'Maternity Autism Research Group'. You can find out more about the work they do, and links to a wide range of resources on this topic, at maternityautismresearchgroup.co.uk.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-13736024 Sun, 08 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0100 1724 2 1 full false Episode 15 Interview with Diane Fox Episode 15 Interview with Diane Fox In this final episode of Season 1, Victoria interviews Diane Fox - Autism Specialist Midwife, Researcher and Neurodevelopment Consultant (ADIR and ADOS trained). 

Website: https://www.dianefox.uk/

Vice Chair, Maternity Autism Research Group (MARG)

https://www.maternityautismresearchgroup.co.uk/

Member of the Royal College of Midwives Neurodivergence Acceptance Toolkit Steering Group. 

Expert by Experience on NHSE/I Midlands Autism Focus Group

Author, E-poster, 'Autism Care Pathways in Obstetric Care are fundamental to address health inequalities', RCOG World Congress 2023

Author, Article: 'Supporting pregnant autistic people'

National Autistic Society, October 2022
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/pregnant-autistic

Author, Article: 'Exploring how health inequalities can be addressed through autism training and understanding in maternity services'
D, Fox MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, Vol 32, no 3, September 2022, pp 279-282
https://www.dianefox.uk/_files/ugd/87cc3d_17a4af7ad8ea4353a8d8503e803fe8b7.pdf

Author of RCM e-learning module on Autism and Pregnancy
https://www.ilearn.rcm.org.uk/course/info.php?id=1022

Presenter on Autism Awareness - RCM Education and Research Conference 2022
https://www.rcm.org.uk/media/5942/midirs-rcm-conference-supplement.pdf


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> In this final episode of Season 1, Victoria interviews Diane Fox - Autism Specialist Midwife, Researcher and Neurodevelopment Consultant (ADIR and ADOS trained). 

Website: https://www.dianefox.uk/

Vice Chair, Maternity Autism Research Group (MARG)

https://www.maternityautismresearchgroup.co.uk/

Member of the Royal College of Midwives Neurodivergence Acceptance Toolkit Steering Group. 

Expert by Experience on NHSE/I Midlands Autism Focus Group

Author, E-poster, 'Autism Care Pathways in Obstetric Care are fundamental to address health inequalities', RCOG World Congress 2023

Author, Article: 'Supporting pregnant autistic people'

National Autistic Society, October 2022
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/pregnant-autistic

Author, Article: 'Exploring how health inequalities can be addressed through autism training and understanding in maternity services'
D, Fox MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, Vol 32, no 3, September 2022, pp 279-282
https://www.dianefox.uk/_files/ugd/87cc3d_17a4af7ad8ea4353a8d8503e803fe8b7.pdf

Author of RCM e-learning module on Autism and Pregnancy
https://www.ilearn.rcm.org.uk/course/info.php?id=1022

Presenter on Autism Awareness - RCM Education and Research Conference 2022
https://www.rcm.org.uk/media/5942/midirs-rcm-conference-supplement.pdf


Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-13148270 Sun, 02 Jul 2023 20:00:00 +0100 3893 1 15 full false Episode 14 Interview with Caro Tasker Episode 14 Interview with Caro Tasker In this episode Victoria interviews Caro Tasker; writer, ambassador for baby loss charity Tommy's and neurodivergent mother and ally. You can check out Caro's Instagram page @spikey where she shares her amazing insight into the Pathological Demand Avoidance profile of autism, and also listen to the wonderful baby loss support podcast hosted by Caro, Elle @feathering_the_empty_nest and Jen  @teddys_wish.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> In this episode Victoria interviews Caro Tasker; writer, ambassador for baby loss charity Tommy's and neurodivergent mother and ally. You can check out Caro's Instagram page @spikey where she shares her amazing insight into the Pathological Demand Avoidance profile of autism, and also listen to the wonderful baby loss support podcast hosted by Caro, Elle @feathering_the_empty_nest and Jen  @teddys_wish.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-13104500 Sun, 25 Jun 2023 21:00:00 +0100 4185 1 14 full false Episode 13 Interview with Alexis Quinn Episode 13 Interview with Alexis Quinn This week Victoria interviews Alexis Quinn; educator, autism advocate and author of 'Unbroken: Learning to Live Beyond Diagnosis' and 'Autistic and Expecting: Practical support for parents-to-be and health and social care practitioners'. You can follow Alexis on Twitter @AQuinnUnbroken and download her maternity passport birth planning resource here: https://www.autisticparentsuk.org/downloadable-resources. Alexis also mentions the organisation Birth Rights which you can find at https://www.birthrights.org.uk/.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> This week Victoria interviews Alexis Quinn; educator, autism advocate and author of 'Unbroken: Learning to Live Beyond Diagnosis' and 'Autistic and Expecting: Practical support for parents-to-be and health and social care practitioners'. You can follow Alexis on Twitter @AQuinnUnbroken and download her maternity passport birth planning resource here: https://www.autisticparentsuk.org/downloadable-resources. Alexis also mentions the organisation Birth Rights which you can find at https://www.birthrights.org.uk/.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-13056731 Sat, 17 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0100 2078 1 13 full false Episode 12 Interview with Georgie Watson Episode 12 Interview with Georgie Watson In this episode Victoria interviews Georgie Watson, a birth and postnatal doula based in Cornwall. Georgie is an AuDHDer, and started to explore her own neurodivergence and that of other members of her family, following her son's autism diagnosis. She shares some fascinating insight into the understanding of neurodivergence within the NHS maternity services, and how small changes and a focus on personalised care, can make a big difference.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> In this episode Victoria interviews Georgie Watson, a birth and postnatal doula based in Cornwall. Georgie is an AuDHDer, and started to explore her own neurodivergence and that of other members of her family, following her son's autism diagnosis. She shares some fascinating insight into the understanding of neurodivergence within the NHS maternity services, and how small changes and a focus on personalised care, can make a big difference.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-12967995 Sun, 04 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0100 3133 1 12 full false Episode 11 Interview with Nanny Kimbo Episode 11 Interview with Nanny Kimbo This week Victoria interviews Nanny Kimbo, co-founder of The Queer Parenting Partnership @parentingqueer. They talk about their autism diagnosis, the perinatal experience from a neurodivergent perspective, and gender diversity and neurodivergence. You can follow Kim on Instagram @nannykimbo.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> This week Victoria interviews Nanny Kimbo, co-founder of The Queer Parenting Partnership @parentingqueer. They talk about their autism diagnosis, the perinatal experience from a neurodivergent perspective, and gender diversity and neurodivergence. You can follow Kim on Instagram @nannykimbo.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-12930604 Sat, 27 May 2023 00:00:00 +0100 2631 full false Episode 10 Anxiety Episode 10 Anxiety In this week's episode we talk all about perinatal anxiety and neurodivergence, including ways to support ND struggling with anxiety. We finish off the episode with an exercise on self-compassion. 

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> In this week's episode we talk all about perinatal anxiety and neurodivergence, including ways to support ND struggling with anxiety. We finish off the episode with an exercise on self-compassion. 

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-12868328 Sun, 21 May 2023 00:00:00 +0100 1650 1 10 full false Episode 9 Interview with Georgia Andrews Episode 9 Interview with Georgia Andrews In this episode we interview Georgia Andrews. Georgia is autistic and identifies as neuroqueer. They work as a simulation actor with Sim Actors (https://simactors.co.uk/about), predominantly working with  midwifery students, and they bring their neurodivergence to this role to help students learn about some of the challenges neurodivergent people can face perinatally, and how to improve communication.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> In this episode we interview Georgia Andrews. Georgia is autistic and identifies as neuroqueer. They work as a simulation actor with Sim Actors (https://simactors.co.uk/about), predominantly working with  midwifery students, and they bring their neurodivergence to this role to help students learn about some of the challenges neurodivergent people can face perinatally, and how to improve communication.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-12801340 Sun, 07 May 2023 20:00:00 +0100 3360 full false Episode 8 Interview with Sara King Episode 8 Interview with Sara King In this episode Sam and Victoria interview Sara King. Sara is a PhD researcher specialising in understanding autistic experiences of maternity services. She also chairs the Maternity Autism Research Group; a collective of health professionals and researchers working together to improve maternity care for autistic women and people. You can find out more about their work at https://www.maternityautismresearchgroup.co.uk/ and via their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092004974326.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> In this episode Sam and Victoria interview Sara King. Sara is a PhD researcher specialising in understanding autistic experiences of maternity services. She also chairs the Maternity Autism Research Group; a collective of health professionals and researchers working together to improve maternity care for autistic women and people. You can find out more about their work at https://www.maternityautismresearchgroup.co.uk/ and via their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092004974326.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-12749376 Sun, 30 Apr 2023 08:00:00 +0100 2710 1 8 full false Episode 7 Interview with Frankie Gulliver Episode 7 Interview with Frankie Gulliver This week Victoria interviews Frankie Gulliver; a postnatal doula and mental health and neurodivergence advocate. Frankie shares her perinatal experiences as an ADHDer with dyslexia and dyspraxia. You can follow Frankie and find more about her work on Instagram @meandmindhub.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> This week Victoria interviews Frankie Gulliver; a postnatal doula and mental health and neurodivergence advocate. Frankie shares her perinatal experiences as an ADHDer with dyslexia and dyspraxia. You can follow Frankie and find more about her work on Instagram @meandmindhub.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-12697165 Sun, 23 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0100 3265 1 7 full true Episode 6 Communication Episode 6 Communication In this week's episode, Sam and Victoria discuss neurodivergence and challenges with communication during pregnancy, birth and postnatally. 

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> In this week's episode, Sam and Victoria discuss neurodivergence and challenges with communication during pregnancy, birth and postnatally. 

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-12646048 Sun, 16 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0100 1710 1 6 full false Episode 5 Interview with Martine Mensink Episode 5 Interview with Martine Mensink In this episode Victoria interviews fellow doula Martine Mensink about her experiences of pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period from the ADHD perspective. You can support Martine by following her on Instagram @martinethedoula.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> In this episode Victoria interviews fellow doula Martine Mensink about her experiences of pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period from the ADHD perspective. You can support Martine by following her on Instagram @martinethedoula.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-12613277 Sun, 09 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0100 2995 full false Episode 4 Interview with Heidi Mavir Episode 4 Interview with Heidi Mavir In Episode 4 Victoria interviews bestselling author of 'Your Child is Not Broken'; Heidi Mavir, about her neurodivergence, late diagnosis, and the experience of her pregnancy, birth and postpartum 18 years ago from a neurodivergent perspective. You can find more about Heidi and her brilliant work at https://www.heidimavir.com/ and follow her on Instagram @heidimavir.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> In Episode 4 Victoria interviews bestselling author of 'Your Child is Not Broken'; Heidi Mavir, about her neurodivergence, late diagnosis, and the experience of her pregnancy, birth and postpartum 18 years ago from a neurodivergent perspective. You can find more about Heidi and her brilliant work at https://www.heidimavir.com/ and follow her on Instagram @heidimavir.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-12552164 Sun, 02 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0100 3064 1 4 full true Episode 3 Sensory Processing Episode 3 Sensory Processing In this episode Sam and Victoria discuss neurodivergence and sensory processing issues in the context of pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> In this episode Sam and Victoria discuss neurodivergence and sensory processing issues in the context of pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-12507136 Sun, 26 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000 2375 full false Episode 2 Interview with Zoe Gardiner Episode 2 Interview with Zoe Gardiner In today's episode Victoria interviews Zoe Gardiner of Postpartum Matters, about her late ASC diagnosis and the experiences of her pregnancies, births and the postnatal period following the births of her 2 children, with the benefit of hindsight through a neurodivergent lens. You can find out more about Postpartum Matters at https://postpartummatters.podia.com/ and you can follow Zoe on Instagram @postpartum_matters.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> In today's episode Victoria interviews Zoe Gardiner of Postpartum Matters, about her late ASC diagnosis and the experiences of her pregnancies, births and the postnatal period following the births of her 2 children, with the benefit of hindsight through a neurodivergent lens. You can find out more about Postpartum Matters at https://postpartummatters.podia.com/ and you can follow Zoe on Instagram @postpartum_matters.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-12466600 Sun, 19 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000 2440 1 2 full false Episode 1 Introduction Episode 1 Introduction In this episode, doulas Victoria and Sam introduce themselves and the podcast, and talk about why they feel there is a great need for improved awareness of some of the challenges neurodivergent people can face during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period, and how we can work together to improve support and outcomes for neurodivergent people and their families.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> In this episode, doulas Victoria and Sam introduce themselves and the podcast, and talk about why they feel there is a great need for improved awareness of some of the challenges neurodivergent people can face during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period, and how we can work together to improve support and outcomes for neurodivergent people and their families.

Thank you for listening!

Join the conversation on Instagram @neurodivergentbirth and at ndbirth.com.

]]> Victoria White and Sam Sheppard Buzzsprout-12417983 Sun, 12 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000 697 1 1 full false