Asperger Help

One of the central themes unveiled during data collection and writing my dissertation is the theme of maternal stress during pregnancy. Every single participant interviewed for my study experienced stress during gestation. Of the six women participating in my qualitative study, every single woman experienced stress during pregnancy.

Four of the women experienced an unplanned pregnancy and were not married at the time of conception. Each of these women noted that they experienced extreme anxiety due to this factor. Two of the mothers noted inadequate prenatal care was a negative factor during gestation. One mother experienced the tragic and unexpected death of another child during her sixth month of pregnancy. Another woman experienced trauma during the birth process itself and shared her experience of being told the baby's umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby's neck at birth. She further noted that she sensed "something wasn't right" with her son, because the act of maternal bonding "seemed troubled."

In my own research, since discovering a potential risk factor, I am adding articles on maternal prenatal stress and negative outcomes to this website. To my knowledge, no study has been conducted connecting maternal prenatal stress and autism related conditions. However, we are societies ravaged by stress. In my own pregnancy, I experienced my own stress, including falling down a flight of stairs in my eighth month of pregnancy. I was deeply traumatized by this experience as well as others during gestation. My pregnancy was not planned, and I experienced stress due to this experience. I am also adding a poll asking you about your maternal stress during pregnancy. Please respond, as I need at least thirty individuals to participate in the poll. Also, I would be interested the story behind your stress. If you would be willing to share any part of your story or if you would be willing to be part of a qualitative study regarding this topic, please feel free to contact me via the contact page.

Thank you.