ADHD Pregnancy

For all those AFAB folks who have been told “you can’t have ADHD…you’re so high functioning.” And yes, ironically, and I do mention forgetting pump parts you’re sterilizing on the stove only to find them warped and the pot ruined in the article. Please share your tips for reviving a scorched pot in the comments, 🔥

Praise for the ADHD Postpartum Workbook I created with Vancouver ADHD Coaching 💕Get yourself a copy on my website or Dusty’s or get a copy for a friend who is expecting

Mental Health Language Removed from a Midwife's Scope of Practice

All healthcare providers in BC are governed by legislation called the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA). A new version of the HPOA was signed Aug 16/26 and will come into effect April 1/26. Midwives are the only profession in BC to have their scope micromanaged in legislation, and there have been some subtle but worrisome changes to the language around our scope in the new act. All references to counselling and mental health have been removed from our scope, which now specifies we provide "physical" care only.

This would be antithetical to holistic care and quite alarming at a time when access to reproductive mental health care is at an all time low. In my community 4/5 people I’ve referred to Reproductive Mental Health have simply been given a list of resources. One individual I referred on May 7/25 was just notified of an appointment from March 6/26! In Victoria, midwives can no longer refer their clients to the reproductive mental health team!

Pregnant folks with ADHD, Autism or AuDHD face much higher rates of postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and are at risk for more negative outcomes. They need access to mental health support. My practice is the only practice in the country specializing in the intersection of neurodivergence and pregnancy- I fear that this language may put my clients at risk. Even for clients of other neurotypes midwives play a key role in recognizing mental health concerns and helping clients navigate all sorts of mental and emotional challenges including unintended pregnancy, STI diagnosis, miscarriage, birth trauma, birthing as a survivor of sexual abuse, postpartum depression and anxiety.

MLA Jody Toor presented a bill around perinatal mental health that passed unanimously in March/25 but to date there is support but no plan yet to improve services.

Minister Osborne has said the new language will not preclude midwives from providing the counselling and mental health services we have always offered, but I remain concerned. I hope that when our scope is reconsidered as a profession in January/26 that they will change the language to reflect the holistic services midwives provide.

Thanks Katie DeRosa and CBC for the story & Midwives Association of British Columbia, Adrienne Carruthers RM & Anniken Chadwick for your advocacy.

Want to take action? Write your MLA. email me for a template letter
https://lnkd.in/gaFaTnkP

Mental Health Language Removed from a Midwife's Scope of Practice

All healthcare providers in BC are governed by legislation called the Healthcare Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA). A new version of the HPOA was signed Aug 16/26 and will come into effect April 1/26. Midwives are the only profession in BC to have their scope micromanaged in legislation, and there have been some subtle but worrisome changes to the language around our scope in the new act. All references to counselling and mental health have been removed from our scope, which now specifies we provide "physical" care only.

This would be antithetical to holistic care and quite alarming at a time when access to reproductive mental health care is at an all time low. In my community 4/5 people I’ve referred to Reproductive Mental Health have simply been given a list of resources. One individual I referred on May 7/25 was just notified of an appointment from March 6/26! In Victoria, midwives can no longer refer their clients to the reproductive mental health team!

Pregnant folks with ADHD, Autism or AuDHD face much higher rates of postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and are at risk for more negative outcomes. They need access to mental health support. My practice is the only practice in the country specializing in the intersection of neurodivergence and pregnancy- I fear that this language may put my clients at risk. Even for clients of other neurotypes midwives play a key role in recognizing mental health concerns and helping clients navigate all sorts of mental and emotional challenges including unintended pregnancy, STI diagnosis, miscarriage, birth trauma, birthing as a survivor of sexual abuse, postpartum depression and anxiety.

MLA Jody Toor presented a bill around perinatal mental health that passed unanimously in March/25 but to date there is support but no plan yet to improve services.

Minister Osborne has said the new language will not preclude midwives from providing the counselling and mental health services we have always offered, but I remain concerned. I hope that when our scope is reconsidered as a profession in January/26 that they will change the language to reflect the holistic services midwives provide.

Thanks Katie DeRosa and CBC for the story & Midwives Association of British Columbia, Adrienne Carruthers RM & Anniken Chadwick for your advocacy.

Want to take action? Write your MLA. email me for a template letter
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-midwives-changing-scope-of-practice-9.6970252

B.C. midwives worry that changes to scope of practice will limit mental health support for parents | CBC News B.C.'s midwifery regulations will be changed next year to remove references to counselling, which some midwives worry will tie their hands when it comes to providing mental health support.

All healthcare providers in BC are governed by legislation called the Healthcare Professions and Occupations Act. A new version of the act was signed Aug 16/25 will come into effect April 1/26. Midwives were the only profession in BC to have their scope micromanaged in legislation, and there have been some subtle but worrisome changes to the language. All references to counselling and mental health healthcare have been removed from our scope which now specifies we provide physical care only. This would be antithetical to holistic care and quite alarming at a time when access to reproductive mental health care is at an all time low. In my community 4/5 people I’ve referred have simply been given a list of resources. One individual I referred on May 7/25 just received notice of an appointment from March 6/26!

Pregnant folks with ADHD, autism or AuDHD face much higher rates of postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and at risk for more negative outcomes. They need access to mental health support.

MLA Jody Toor passed presented a bill around perinatal mental health which passed unanimously in March/25. There is support but no plan yet to improve services.

Minister Osborne has said the new language will not preclude midwives from providing the counselling and mental health services we have always offered, but I remain concerned.

I hope that when our scope is reconsidered as a profession in January/26 that they will change the language to reflect the holistic services midwives provide.

Thanks Katie DeRosa and CBC for the story & Midwives Association of British Columbia, Adrienne Carruthers RM & Anniken Chadwick for your advocacy.

B.C. midwives worry that changes to scope of practice will limit mental health support for parents | CBC News B.C.'s midwifery regulations will be changed next year to remove references to counselling, which some midwives worry will tie their hands when it comes to providing mental health support.