First trimester pregnancy update // Autistic and pregnant

The first trimester of pregnancy is tough for everyone, but being autistic adds an extra layer on top of that, so I thought I'd give an update from the comfort of week 15 (later by the time this was uploaded), to let you know what it was like for me, for both pregnancies, and comparing how it was before I knew I was autistic with my current pregnancy.

[YoSamdySam]

The second trimester video is going to be more of a pregnancy/baby Q&A, let me know your questions here!

[darkangelprincess]

I take medical advice literally as well. When my daughter was sick the doctor said her medicine was to be given every 8 hours. I don't know what made her say, but you don't have to wake up in the middle of the night for it, but I'm glad she did because I would have set an alarm for the middle of the night to give it to her.

[BanthaWorship]

I developed food aversions during pregnancy as well, which no one had warned me of. To this day I cannot tolerate tamales, which is unfortunate because I used to love them! I also developed an aversion to bell peppers (any color) and bao (pork buns), after having the baby though, I returned to enjoying both of those just fine. Tamales though, still, just HARD PASS for some reason and it's been EIGHT YEARS. lol.

Hardest part for me, being autistic and pregnant, was sensory overload during third trimester. Like normally I could retreat from external factors but there was no way to retreat from the person also occupying my body. So I had to be really aware of my tolerance levels nonstop to avoid feeling just miserable by 2pm. Like before you're pregnant, you realistically know the size of a newborn baby, but it doesn't really set in how large that actually is when they're in your abdomen, kicking your organs.

[amandachapman]

Dear Sam, do remember to take your own advice! You were definitely flagging at the end of the video, but you started to get fidgety well befor then. Don't push yourself too hard! We would be happy with shorter videos if that helps you not to get a headache.

[crabwalk]

My dog "knew" I was pregnant almost immediately - and I was attuned to this. In the USA, I did not even see a doctor until my 6th or 7th month - couldn't 'deal with anyone's crap', just my pregnancy. This was a long time ago. And I managed! Safe wishes for you and your family!

[hannahw]

I know advice can be so annoying or overwhelming or misguided, but have you ever used pregnancy compression garments? I started working for a prenatal medical equipment boutique and have learned so much about how the body can be supported during pregnancy. A belly support band for when your belly is too heavy can help with the low back pain, compression socks can combat foot/leg/ankle swelling and potentially support blood pressure, there are also over the belly support leggings on the market- it's amazing!

I will concede that I am located in the United States and so the equipment on the market could vary wildly between countries. Also, the initial pressure of compression garments can lead to a pretty severe level of sensory overwhelm. However, I use compression stockings for long work days and the difference in my end of day pain is astonishing.

Stockings with silicone bands at the top to hold them up can also cause some irritation at the end of the day in some of us. Mine are supposed to be hypoallergenic but I still get irritation from the fact that it contacts my skin all day. Most people can make due with regular knee/calf length compression socks.

I just got on this tangent because you mentioned low blood pressure. I'm not a doctor by any stretch of the imagination but since I've seen numerous pregnant woman experience relief and support from these items, I wanted to share 🙂

[AndrewArmstrong]

I don’t really have a question for the Q&A but I’d like to seriously commend you for making content like this. Being a champion of your own health is really difficult sometimes and not all doctors actually know what they’re talking about. Pregnancy is often the best example of that as male doctors aren’t always great at taking feedback from expecting mothers. Autism can only make that more challenging so I cannot tell you enough that what you’re doing is amazing!

[darbydelane]

Love the Truth-Telling about pregnancy and autism. Especially at the end when you were getting tired. Such a needed conversation!

[YaGotdamBoi]

Congrats!! You shared some really great advice, thank you! I have ADHD and my partner an I want kids some day, and I deal with some sensory overload issues already (light, smells, sounds) so it’s good to know ahead of time to be patient and kind to myself.

[Hootu]

aaaw congrats on being pregnant <3
I would love to see you make more content on parenting having a child is something I am not allowing myself to do right now because I think I won't manage well enough but it's at the same time my biggest motivation to improve my capacity and work towards not being as reliant on mostly my family but also the state since I'm receiving disability checks

[Themoodcollab]

I am 12 weeks with number 3 and supsecting that I fall on the spectrum without knowing until a couple months ago. So excited when I saw your title!

[itmustbetuesday]

I watched this when you released it last year and am watching it again now that I'm 10 weeks pregnant with my first, and just - thank you so much for all of your videos. I feel like whenever I get overwhelmed, I turn to your videos to be reminded that there's someone out there who experiences life so much like I do and I feel really comforted. Your videos helped me realize I was on the spectrum back in 2020 and have really helped me better understand myself and learn to recognize and cope when I feel that I'm getting overstimulated. Thank you again for putting all of this content online!

Also, weird little sidenote lol: you mentioned struggling to learn Dutch while living in the Netherlands and my competitive little butt said, "I bet I could learn Dutch" so I'm like... halfway through the Duolingo course. Thanks for the unexpected new skill lol :)

[dainazoc]

Oh Sam! Your first video about pregnancy helped me so much! I’m autistic and pregnant (21 weeks atm) and when I found out I immediately watched your previous video. I’m really happy, for no rational reason, that we are pregnant at the same time. 😂 I take warm baths too because I’m pretty sore. And weepy to. 😅 I totally get the feeling of “pregnancy being a big deal” physically speaking. I will definitely steal your idea of a list of autism related things to give to my midwife.

Thanks so much for sharing! ❤️ Stay safe!

[karenochsenfaber]

Thank you so much for this! I found you almost a year ago when I first figured out that I'm autistic. I received my diagnosis in December 2020, and now I'm 6 weeks pregnant with my first. After learning so much from you about being an autistic female, I consider myself so lucky to get to learn from you about being autistic & pregnant (and to go through it at the same time!). I would be very interested in seeing the document that you shared with your doctors (about your autism); it's such a good idea, as the hardest part for me about being pregnant during a pandemic is that my partner can't join me at any of my appointments, and so it's a much more stressful situation for me than it would normally be. I haven't told my OB that I'm autistic yet (as I've only had two short appointments), but the time to disclose it is drawing near. Thank you Sam for talking about this, sharing your experience, and all you do for the community.

[mic]

I'm definitely concerned about how I'll react to being pregnant when that time comes.

[annecsabagh]

Wishing you a safe & healthy pregnancy and delivery. Congratulations!!!

[radneurodivergent]

Interesting points - thanks for sharing. I'm never going to be pregnant but even I picked up some great tips from this that I can apply to myself. This is unrelated but I'm going to take the opportunity anyway just to say that you not only helped me realise I'm autistic, but also inspired me to create this YouTube channel in the last few days, so thank you again! I hope to create content that can help myself and others as you do.

[violetpaint]

I just wanna say your videos have helped me and relieved me soo much! I'm autistic having my first pregnancy in my second trimester and I thought I was being overreactive with my symptoms 😂 glad to know it's normal for the whole thing to practically be hell for us folks

[alexbaley]

Congratulations, Sam! I wish you much health and comfort throughout the whole process. Thank you for sharing your experience and advice!

[readDIDACHErealAPOSTLESofJESUS]

im so glad youre having an easier time. you really opened my mind 6 weeks ago and it has been a great relief to know this isnt just me, its not my personality. we are victims of a condition