Pregnancy and Childbirth in Neurodivergent Women: Shift Towards Personalized Maternity Care

Introduction: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs), including autism spectrum disorder and related conditions, are increasingly recognized among women of reproductive age, yet their unique needs during pregnancy and childbirth remain poorly studied. Communication differences, sensory sensitivities, and co-occurring psychiatric conditions may complicate maternity care, leading to higher risks of adverse outcomes and ethical challenges in clinical practice. This study aimed to examine pregnancy complications, delivery outcomes, and postpartum characteristics in women with NDs, compared with a control group, and to identify specific barriers in perinatal care. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at the National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Moscow, including 18 pregnant women with confirmed NDs and 21 matched controls with uncomplicated pregnancies. Data were extracted from medical records and included demographic parameters, pregnancy course, complications, labor management, neonatal outcomes, and documented communication or ethical issues. Comparative analyses were performed using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables and Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables. Results: Pregnant women with NDs had significantly higher rates of pelvic girdle pain (66.7% vs. 23.8%, p = 0.01), vaginal bleeding (44.4% vs. 14.3%, p = 0.04), anxiety (61.1% vs. 19.0%, p = 0.007), and depression (50.0% vs. 14.3%, p = 0.02) compared with controls. Persistent daily nausea was also more common (50.0% vs. 14.3%, p = 0.03). Attendance of prenatal physician visits was lower in the ND group (66.7% vs. 95.2%, p = 0.02). Cesarean delivery occurred in 83.3% of ND women versus 23.8% of controls (p < 0.001), with psychiatric recommendations often cited as the indication. Breastfeeding was declined in 94.4% of ND cases versus 4.8% of controls. Labor duration was prolonged, and neonatal anthropometrics were lower in the ND group. Communication difficulties were documented in 83.3% of ND participants, and postpartum depressive symptoms were identified in 77.8%. Conclusions: Pregnant women with NDs face a multidimensional vulnerability in maternity care, including higher frequencies of pain, bleeding, nausea, anxiety, and depression, prolonged labor, markedly increased cesarean rates, reduced breastfeeding initiation, and smaller neonatal anthropometrics. Frequent communication barriers, guardian decision-making, and postpartum separation further complicate care. These findings underscore the necessity of neurodiversity-informed, individualized perinatal strategies, integrating sensory accommodations, trauma-informed communication, and proactive mental health support to improve both clinical outcomes and patient experiences.