Perinatal experience of women with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with considerable individual variability. Population-based studies put its prevalence at 1% to 5% of the population. Due to the different presentation of symptoms, women with ADHD are less likely to receive adequate help. They face more difficulties in the perinatal period than neurotypical women. Pregnant women with ADHD are more likely to experience family difficulties, including conflicts with their partner or lack of support from relatives, as well as a variety of obstetric complications, such as the need for delivery by cesarean section, pregnancy-induced hypertension or anaemia. A small number of scientific papers focus on their individual experience of pregnancy and childbirth. Method: the study was conducted by means of semi-structured individual interviews. Ten women with a formal diagnosis of ADHD, whose last delivery was between 2019 and 2024, participated in the study. Participants were selected by purposive sampling from women willing to participate in the study. Data were analysed and coded according to reflective thematic analysis methodology. Results: When analysing the content of the interviews, 3 leading themes were identified: 1. ADHD in the perinatal period (Attention Deficit Disorder, Hyperactivity and impulsivity, Atypical sensory processing), 2. In relationships with others, and 3. Consequences of perinatal experiences, together with subthemes that were relevant to the women interviewed. Conclusions: The perinatal experiences of women with ADHD were significantly influenced by the symptoms of the disorder. Focusing on the individual needs of pregnant and birthing women and taking into account the difficulties arising from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can significantly improve the perinatal experience of these women. Care during labour should take into account the particular sensory sensitivity to the hospital environment described in the study and avoid immobilising parturients. Lack of support from medical staff and family can result in long-term negative consequences. Changes are needed in the management of care for pregnant and birthing women with ADHD, as research has shown that some women, due to traumatic birth experiences, declared abandonment of further procreative plans.

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