The Neurobirth Podcast is a seven episode limited series about the childbearing journey, from preconception through to the early weeks of parenting, through the lenses of ADHD and Autism. It was commissioned by Carolyn Stobbs on behalf of Te Whatu Ora, Capital Coast and Hutt Valley in early 2023 with a vision to bring bring research, evidence-based practice, and lived experience of pregnancy, ADHD, and Autism to a wide reaching audience in an audio format.
Hosts Bronwyn Rideout and Amy Taylor are neurodivergent midwives in Aotearoa New Zealand who work in different sectors of the maternity system: Amy in the community as a Lead Maternity Carer and Bronwyn at a Tertiary Hospital as a Core/Hospital Midwife. They were approached to produce the podcast due to the impact of their venture with Hutt Maternity and the Wellington branch of the New Zealand College of Midwives, the Neurodiversity in Pregnancy, Birth, and Early Parenting Workshop.
Each episode in the Neurobirth Podcast focuses on different topics pertaining to pregnancy and how sets of neurodivergent traits and behaviours may present and impact perinatal care.
Podcast Topics:
- Episode 1: Neurodiversity 101 – What is neurodiversity; what it means to be neurodivergent; intersectionality; and who is missing out on timely diagnosis?
- Episodes 2 & 3: The Senses – A two-parter which covers sensory processing; hypo- and hypersensitivity; stimming; and controversies around weighted blankets and fidget toys.
- Episode 4: Communication – Tips on improving communication between health care providers and neurodivergent consumers; Spoon Theory; The Double Empathy problem.
- Episode 5: General/Preconception Health – What current research says about health outcomes for Autistics and ADHDers and its implications for perinatal care.
- Episode 6: Antenatal, Labour, and Birth- What does research tell us and where are the gaps.
- Episode 7: Postnatal and Early Parenting – Mental health; infant feeding; adjusting to parenting; and contraception.
Continuing Education Requirements
You can claim time spent listening and reflecting on the podcast as part of your Continuing Education requirements for the Midwifery Council’s Recertification Programme.
Where to listen
Amazon Music / Audible, Deezer, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Spreaker
The Neurobirth Podcast is a seven episode limited series about the childbearing journey, from preconception through to the early weeks of parenting, through the lenses of ADHD and Autism. It was commissioned by Carolyn Stobbs on behalf of Te Whatu Ora, Capital Coast and Hutt Valley in early 2023 with a vision to bring bring research, evidence-based practice, and lived experience of pregnancy, ADHD, and Autism to a wide reaching audience in an audio format.
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