This article aims to highlight the urgent need for individualised, autism-informed intrapartum care. While individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often referred to perinatal mental health services, it is important to recognise that ASD is not a mental health condition. As such, standardised mental health pathways may not address their specific needs. Without appropriate, tailored support, the intrapartum period can become a source of trauma rather than empowerment. My focus on intrapartum care stems from a noticeable gap in the literature and practice guidance in this area.

This article hopes to inspire individualised care that promotes inclusive, person-centred and sensory friendly care for ASD childbearing individuals throughout the intrapartum period, through using the Inclusive London (2025) ‘social model of disability’ approach. The social model of disability focuses on how barriers in society and health care create disability, rather than viewing individuals as able. For example, a person who needs a wheelchair is only disabled when they do not have access to one. It is society’s obstacles, not the individual, that cause disability. The same can be applied to ASD child bearers and, with the right adaptation to care, we can minimise the risks and provide positive tailored care to our ASD patients (Inclusive London 2025).