S2 E4: Neurodivergent Care in the Perinatal Season with Doula Alix Meyers

In this episode, Pamela sits down with Alix Meyers, doula and founder of Tenderly, a practice dedicated to supporting neurodivergent families through fertility, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Alix shares her path from a career in marketing to becoming a doula, the journey of discovering neurodivergence within her own family, and how her lived experience shaped the neuro-affirming lens she brings to her work.

Together, Pamela and Alix explore the sensory, communication, and executive-function realities that can shape a birthing or postpartum experience, especially for those who may not yet realize they're neurodivergent. They discuss why so many birthing people don’t receive the support they need, how masking can disguise overwhelm, and how simple shifts in practice can help birth workers provide truly neuro-affirming care.

Alex also shares how virtual doula support can be a powerful accessibility tool, what families can expect when working with her online, and the upcoming self-paced birth planning course she’s creating specifically with neurodivergent brains in mind.

In this episode: • How Alix discovered her path into birth work • Why neurodivergence often goes unrecognized until the postpartum period • Sensory overload, executive functioning, communication differences, and how they shape the perinatal experience • What “neuro-affirming care” actually means • Tips for advocating for your needs with care providers • How virtual doula support creates accessibility for neurodivergent families • A peek into Alex’s upcoming neuro-affirming birth planning course

If you or someone you support is navigating pregnancy or postpartum with a neurodivergent lens, this conversation offers clarity, validation, and tools for cultivating a more supported experience.

Connect with Alex: Website - https://www.lovetender.ly/

Social Media - @lovetender.ly_doula

Email - alix@alixmyers.com

Support Brim Lactation & Family Care: If you’d like to support the podcast and ongoing educational work, you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/brimfamilycare

More episodes, services, and offerings: www.brimfamilycare.com