Autistic and pregnant

[PinkFluffyBubbles]

Hi, I'm starting this thread in the hope of finding some friendly support... A quick bio, I'm 32yrs old, currently have 4 children age (13yr, 11yr, 10yr, 10 months) and I've just found out I'm pregnant, due 17 December 2019. I was diagnosed with Depression, Anxiety, OCD and ASD (autism) 9 months ago and I'm finding everything is too much to deal with in such a short period of time. I try to focus all my concentration on my day to day tasks but my mind keeps wandering off and I'm an emotional mess. I don't have any family or friends as I have major difficulties with relationships and people. Although I am in a relationship with my youngest child's father, we do not live together. I'm only getting support for the ASD in the form of meeting with an advisor once a month for a general chat. I need more, I need something, I need help! I don't know where to go or what to do or what to ask for 😔 anyone want a chat?

Hi PinkFluffyBubbles,
Here to offer you some support. Mother to a 5 year old with ASD.
You've had a lot to deal with in a short space of time.
Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy.
And secondly, it is great that you have recently received a diagnosis, you now know why you are facing such challenges and hopefully can face them now with a better frame of mind and a new approach.
Don't be hard on yourself x

@PinkFluffyBubbles
Hello, I'm autistic and pregnant also. I'm 28, I was diagnosed nearly 10 years ago. I'm happy to chat :)

Can you ask to be referred to a perinatal mental health team for additional support? Most areas have seen increased investment in this area of mental health. I've been under my local team since giving birth (I have bipolar disorder).

Thanks to everyone for the replys... It's a comfort to know there's people out there that who want to talk to me.
Im having trouble dealing with the fact I'm pregnant again, after not wanting/planning for another child it's a major shock and I don't believe I have the skills to cope with another baby in the house. I don't want to tell anyone I'm pregnant because I don't want the attention of people saying congratulations or all the extra doctors and hospital appointments etc My depression has a hold of me and I can't see a way out of it, on a good day I push myself to go out to the shop or sometimes a mum and toddler group, but it's all too much, my anxiety kicks in and I just want to run home, or I have a panic attack if I can't, It's exhausting!

I have had a look for perinatal mental health teams where I live, but unfortunately there's no such thing available although there is talk of it needing to be addressed 😕 the experiences I had with the health visitor last year weren't very positive, she literally threatened to have all my children taken into social services care...i begged and pleaded in tears for her not too. I never saw her again, she had transferred me to a different health visitor.

I can imagine how much shock you are in if it wasn't planned, my ds hates change and this is a big change for you.
You have the experience of raising children so I'm sure you can cope, it will just take extra planning and organising.
You don't have to tell anyone you are pregnant if you don't want to. Nobody needs to know except your gp, and hopefully you won't have too many appts. You don't have to leave the house any more than you currently do if you don't want to, except for the gp and hospital appts.
I'm sorry there is no support available for you