18/01/2024
Being a ‘canary in a coal mine’ is a metaphor for an early warning signal. Historically, coal miners took canaries into the mines with them, as the birds are more sensitive to dangerous gases than humans are. If a canary died, the miners knew there were dangerous gases present and would leave the mine.
The ‘canary in the coalmine’ analogy has been used for all sorts of warning signs relating to social issues from collapsing economies to climate change.
And it’s also a useful way of thinking about neurodivergent experiences of maternity services and perinatal care.
Neurodivergent people often have sensory sensitivities, different communication styles, executive functioning and mental health challenges that make accessing quality care perinatally more challenging.
In our ‘Supporting Neurodivergent Birth’ workshop, we look at some of the ‘reasonable adjustments’ to perinatal care that can make all the difference to neurodivergent birthers. What is interesting is that time and again, workshop attendees reflect that the reasonable adjustments we discuss would be beneficial to EVERYONE navigating the perinatal journey.
We are not talking about anything revolutionary, or turning the system completely on its head. But small simple tweaks to sensory environments, communication methods, the way that information is shared, and above all compassion for individual experiences, can be very powerful.
In our next episode of The Neurodivergent Birth Podcast, Victoria and Maisie talk about the canary in the coal mine analogy and so much more. Tune in next Tuesday to listen!
