This reflective cycle highlighted the importance of the midwife’s attitude while providing care. I shall therefore aim to maintain a non-judgemental and accepting attitude across all aspects of my practice, not just for women with autism.
I have been surprised at the lack of guidelines for looking after women with autism, both on a local and national level. However, this lack of guidelines could point to the emphasis on the need for individualised care. Tailoring your care to the needs of each woman is very important in providing a good standard of care. This reflection has also shown how a good antenatal assessment of these needs, together with a good care plan can both significantly improve a woman’s experiences in the hospital and make her admission process smoother.