Any midwives about? Would disclosing an asd diagnosis put me on a different antenatal care path?

[Mumtobeasd]

I have a private diagnosis and I haven’t even given a copy of the report to my gp (for multiple reasons but they just arent supportive or understanding).

I have my booking appt soon - if I disclose my diagnosis will anything be different ? My fear is being treated differently ? Judged maybe? I don’t want extra appts etc.

To make a decision I want to know will it affect my care in any way but can’t find the info anywhere so wondered if anyone was a midwife and knew ?

I have mental health issues and was treated differently but not in a bad way. I was better supported, better managed and got 1:1 midwife care throughout my labour and delivery.

I would say disclose it

I don't think so at all - there are plenty of women with ASD who get pregnant and far more than the system would have capacity for in terms of anything extra as routine. For what it's worth, I did have enhanced midwife care for MH reasons during my pregnancy and it was brilliant

If you disclose it, you may find it makes it's way back to your GP on a letter.

Whether it would affect your care would entirely depend on how it affects your life, and any concerns you have about pregnancy/birth.

If you don't think it will, why bother mentioning it?

In some ways I feel it may help if they knew but then I was concerned I’d end up being given more appts and that’s the last thing I want ! If that isn’t the case then I might consider it. My gp is so unhelpful and wouldn’t refer me on nhs and disagreed with me so I’ve really distanced myself from them as don’t feel supported

Highly unlikely ASD is fairly common. It is helpful to know about though as it will give practitioners a bit of insight to you and will be relevant to your child if you have any concerns when they are older. Your HV should ideally be told for that reason and they usually ask anyway especially if you raise a concern about your child. As in family history not as a judgement.
MH issues usually get a bit of closer monitoring as pregnancy and birth can often trigger problems so it's a good thing to be supported.
But ASD with no other risk factors is honestly not something anyone will be concerned about.
GP and midwifery can share notes btw so all the health professions can see the same information ( if they choose to look)

I wish I had known and been able to communicate this to my midwives during the birth of my children. So much of my experience would have been better. I suppose it depends on how you manage with communication and difficult situations. I am a complete mess and was distressed throughout all my hospital visits related to pregnancy. My diagnosis has white ironically given me a voice. The last appointment (not maternity related) a nurse found me in the car park and took me in, got me to the clinic who then treated me perfectly. Knowing I was autistic made all the difference to both me and the clinical staff that day.