ADHD can impact pregnancy in a number of ways: Higher rate of postpartum depression, hormone surges that affect the brain’s functioning, increased demands on our executive function, and so much more. 

Our guest this week, Dusty Chipura, is an ADHD and pregnancy expert, ADHD coach, and doula in training. Dusty takes us through pregnancy with ADHD, what you might expect, and what conversations are important to have with your support network ahead of welcoming a baby. 

Related resources

• A guide to hormones and ADHD
• ADHD and pregnancy workbook by Alix Bacon and Dusty Chipura
• Dusty’s website, vancouveradhdcoaching.com

Timestamps

(01:27 ) Some ways ADHD affects pregnancy

(02:25 ) How did Dusty become an expert in ADHD and pregnancy?

(04:21 ) First trimester/early pregnancy and ADHD

(05:57 ) Sensory sensitivities and pregnancy

(08:44 ) Second trimester

(13:23 ) What conversations should we be having with our support system during this time?

(17:20 ) Third trimester

(20:04 ) What happens after the baby is born?

(22:33 ) ADHD and the postpartum period

(25:55 ) Best practices and tools

(28:41 ) Dusty’s top tips

(30:35 ) Dealing with parental guilt

(31:59 ) Where you can find Dusty

For a transcript and more resources visit the Sorry, I Missed This page on Understood.org

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at sorryimissedthis@understood.org.

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give