Overlooked Sensory Experiences of Pregnancy and Postpartum

Pregnancy and postpartum experiences are often discussed emotionally and medically, but there is less focus on the sensory aspects. For some women, particularly those with a neurodivergent profile, the perinatal period can bring about a profound level of sensory intensity that is cumulative and often misunderstood. These experiences are not "overreactions"; they are legitimate nervous system responses to ongoing sensory demands.

Here are some often-overlooked or minimized sensory experiences during this time:

Nausea and Vomiting: Pregnancy-related nausea is frequently portrayed as a temporary inconvenience. However, for those with sensory sensitivities, it can result in constant sensory overload, characterized by:

- Persistent sensitivity to taste and smell

- A gag reflex triggered by textures, toothpaste, food temperature, or bodily sensations

- Loss of predictability around eating, hydration, and bodily control

This sensory overload can lead to feelings of anxiety, shutdown, or avoidance.

Medical Touch: Routine prenatal care involves frequent physical contact that is seldom paced according to individual consent or sensory needs, such as:

- Vaginal exams

- Blood pressure checks

- Ultrasounds

- The delivery preparation and process

For individuals with touch sensitivity, this can lead to:

- Dissociation or freezing

- Increased anticipatory stress before medical appointments

- The feeling of bodily invasion instead of care

These reactions are not necessarily trauma responses; they often reflect sensory boundary violations.

Sensory Overload in Medical Environments: Medical settings are filled with intense sensory input, including:

- Strong disinfectants and clinical smells

- Beeping machines and overlapping conversations

- Bright lights and cold surfaces

- Lack of control over pacing or exits

For neurodivergent individuals, this overwhelming sensory input can push their tolerance beyond capacity, especially when combined with the vulnerabilities of pregnancy.

Unique Sensory Changes During Pregnancy and Postpartum:

- Internal Baby Movements: Fetal movements are often described as "beautiful" or "reassuring," but they can also be unpredictable and startling. For some women, these constant internal sensations can lead to distress, hypervigilance, or difficulty relaxing, even without emotional ambivalence toward the baby.

- Physical Contact with Infants: Babies require near-constant physical input, including holding, skin-to-skin contact, rocking, and carrying. For sensory-sensitive individuals, this can result in touch saturation, irritability, or emotional flooding, and a need for space that conflicts with societal expectations of constant closeness. Requiring sensory breaks does not indicate a lack of bonding.

- Breastfeeding and Milk Production: Breastfeeding can be one of the most under-discussed sensory challenges, involving:

- Intense nipple sensitivity

- Let-down sensations that may feel painful or distressing

- Milk leakage, pressure, or wetness

- Being physically needed on demand

For some neurodivergent women, these sensations can trigger panic, shutdown, or aversion, even when they are emotionally invested in feeding their baby.

Under-Reported Sensory and Emotional Experiences: Neurodivergent women during the perinatal period may also face:

- Sudden intolerance to sound (crying, white noise, household noise)

- Heightened irritability or rage due to sensory overload

- Exhaustion from masking distress

- Feelings of shame when struggling with experiences others describe as "natural."

- Confusion when screening tools focus solely on mood rather than sensory regulation

These challenges are not flaws in character or failures of resilience; they are indications of a nervous system operating beyond its sustainable capacity. Neurodivergent distress in the perinatal period is often rooted in sensory experiences rather than emotional ones.

Support should focus on:

- Understanding sensory thresholds

- Providing predictability through information

- Ensuring consent-paced care

- Making reasonable environmental accommodations

- Allowing recovery time for the nervous system, with clear communication

If your pregnancy or postpartum experience feels overwhelming in ways that are hard to articulate, it may not be solely emotional—it could be sensory. Seeking neuro-affirming, perinatal-informed support can make a meaningful difference.

You are not broken; your nervous system is communicating.

This content is intended for educational and awareness purposes and does not replace individualized medical or mental health care.