Well, I’ll start by saying I’ve not been asked to do this, but I wanted to because I’ve just finished the book for a second time and, though I knew it would be fantastic, it was even better having time to process and integrate the words of wisdom shared.

Why Neurodivergent Birth Matters is one of the most affirming things I’ve read, as someone who has birthed myself and supported pregnant and postpartum families who are neurodivergent.

It wasn’t until my 3rd baby was born that I realised I myself am neurodivergent and the rollercoaster of learning and learning that came after has been tumultuous. Understanding that actually the overwhelm or preference to process information differently is actually part of the way our brains work is something that should be available to everyone right from the start of their perinatal journeys.

Having this book is revolutionary.

The validation it contains as well as the advice, beautifully chunked into sections for parents and birthworkers makes it so accessible to read.

Victoria writes of birth as a mountain and this analogy is woven throughout the book, with reference to our supports, our equipment, our trajectory and the JOY that comes with different steps too. Just as she talks about the sherpa on the mountain, this little book is it’s own sherpa.

She writes “There is something extremely frightening about feeling isolated in our experiences of pregnancy, birth and early parenting. Perhaps it is grounded in the knowledge that millions of people before us have done this, so why are we struggling”.

This is exactly how I have felt at so many points of my own parenting journey, often wondering how I can support others and feel so in the thick of it myself. But reading this book has brought so many moments of my early parenting journey to light with compassion. It isn’t because we don’t know. It’s because our brains need support in a way that the systems around us don’t always (or often) accommodate, assuming we all have similar experiences rather than individualised ones. Thankfully that is changing, and this book is one of the currents causing this changing tide.

Towards the end of the book she writes “we can have all the gear but no idea” using the mountain analogy again. It resonated deeply.

We can have ALL the information, but unless we understand it and feel supported, it isn’t going to help.

This book helps.

If you’re neurodivergent or supporting someone who is in their perinatal experiences, this book is absolute gold. Read it, annotate it, learn from it, and share it! I intend to too.

Much love,

Rohana x