NHS Tayside hosted their annual Addressing Inequalities in Maternity Conference this week, drawing together individuals and organisations focused on reducing barriers to maternity care. SWAN is delighted to be part of the AIMS group and to receive a recognition certificate for its work in this area.
NHS Tayside’s Addressing Inequalities in Maternity Services group brings together individuals and organisations across Tayside and beyond to tackle barriers to accessing maternity care. This collaborative approach seeks to identify challenges, implement meaningful changes, and share valuable resources to reduce all inequalities in maternity services including for deaf birthing people, those needing translators, families facing addiction, autistic birthing people, and those affected by racial bias.
This commitment was highlighted at this year’s annual think tank conference and awards, where SWAN was honoured to be nominated and recognised for its dedicated work supporting autistic birthing people. SWAN’s involvement demonstrates a practical, neuro-affirming approach to ensuring maternity care is inclusive and equitable.
This week was the annual think tank conference and awards and SWAN was delighted to have our work in this area recognised
During the think tank conference, we presented on the work we do at SWAN and some of the common experiences autistic birthing people.
Key topics discussed -
- Lack of access to relatable information in different and accessible formats
- Need for a trauma informed approach
- Need to improve clinician understanding of different thinking and attentional styles and need for processing time
- Understanding the importance of sensory changes and safety - both environmentally and within our own bodies during pregnancy
- The value of continuity of care and knowing what is happening
- Need for spaces to ask all the questions and find all the information we seek
- Communication needs and preferences - and how these can change and fluctuate
- Need for understanding and support during periods of distress
- Common experiences of clinician bias or neurotypical understandings in treatment markers and pathways
- Differing pain presentations and experiences and how these might lead to missed timely treatments or pain relief
- Finding community and connection amongst other autistic birthing people
- The importance of parenting differently and being accepted
SWAN’s Continued Work Support Autistic Birthing People
SWAN is committed to reducing inequalities in maternity services by equipping clinicians with knowledge and understanding, practical resources, and challenging bias, along with providing peer support through our Autistic Parents Space other autistic-led spaces for autistic women, girls and non-binary people. SWAN continues to amplify autistic voices and work for a more inclusive, compassionate maternity experience for all.
You can join us at our 2026 training sessions open for booking now -
Understanding and Supporting Autistic People in the Perinatal Period
Understanding and Supporting Autistic Survivors
Or arrange inhouse training or your team as a whole - contact info@swanscotland.org
