Prenatal OCD

Did anyone develop OCD while pregnant? I realized I most likely had undiagnosed OCD first pregnancy and postpartum. Had constant intrusive thoughts— very irrational and I believed them. Once my little guy was born it got worse. The thoughts then became centered around his safety but were very extreme. Controlled my day. They got better and now are back with second pregnancy. Now I find myself constantly having awful thoughts (unrelated to baby) and thinking they’re real because they upset me so much. They are a lot of “ what if I did this and don’t remember” etc. I then will believe that if I thought it must’ve happened or could. Just wanted to see if anyone else developed OCD while pregnant for the first time? I feel super alone and confused.

HugsToAll

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 3y

Hi! I had OCD prior to pregnancy, but postpartum has really amped it up 1000x more. I'm currently postpartum and have constant intrusive thoughts about my baby when I'm changing her. It sucks. You're definitely not alone ❤️ I'm struggling at the moment with "what if I did this?" thoughts, that only get worse and worse. You have support here, don't worry

m51031

Date posted: 3y

Thanks so much for sharing. Glad to know I’m not alone — really wish there was more talk about this during the prenatal and postpartum period. That already is a tough time!

HugsToAll

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 3y

@m51031 Absolutely! It's hard to avoid those thoughts because we have to be constantly changing the baby, bathing them, etc. It's all an exposure in itself! Be gentle with yourself ❤️ I'm finding that reading these threads is really helpful

Anonymous12

Date posted: 3y

@HugsToAll Hi, I’m currently going through this and would like to know what has helped or how I could get help I have a newborn and use to have these thoughts and what ifs with my first born but it’s all came back again.

HugsToAll

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 3y

@Anonymous12 Hey! Definitely ERP and medication :) my head used to feel really noisy so it was hard to identify and focus on exposures. I started on Prozac, and currently take 60 mg. That's helped a lot with that noisiness, and I feel more grounded in reality. That set the stage for me to tackle harder exposures, and then it was up to me to work on not doing compulsions. That's where I'm at right now. I still have intrusive thoughts and urges about my baby all this time later, but the key is I still change her and hold her and kiss her tummy and all that haha. When I have a thought or urge that makes me want to avoid my baby to feel better, I lean into it and carry her for longer, etc. If you haven't already, do the consultation with nocd to be matched with a therapist :) therapy has made all the difference for me. And look into a psychiatrist to talk medication possibilities because that can help a whoooole lot. Bottom line is: it gets better. I didn't believe people before but...it really does. It's ok to be scared right now, it's all real to you. But keep doing the best you can and look into those resources :)

Bradinrichard2

Date posted: 21w

Pocd

I’ve always had ocd. But never experienced pocd until after I got pregnant and was fixing to deliver. Anyone else? I’ve been struggling with this for almost 2 years 😩 and Prozac gives me heart palpitations I’m at my breaking point. Idk who I am anymore. And it’s so hard having to be a mother of two on top of not wanting to do anything bc my brain tells me everything I’m doing is inappropriate ☹️

Holl1

Date posted: 17w

OCD

So I’ve just found out I’m pregnant and I’m freaking out rn I’ve been getting thoughts like “I’ll be a bad mum” and overthinking everything & my OCD is convincing me that I’ll act on my thoughts because of my hormones and stuff. I’ve also got a fear of being sick & I’m stressing over that too. Anyone else who has harm OCD pregnant or a Mum can give me some advice pls😭

Harm OCD

Aprilshowers...

Date posted: 17w

My OCD

Please if someone can reply! I really just need someone to talk to. I don’t even know how to control my OCD. It honestly feels like it’s controlling me. Everyday my mind focuses on every bodily sensation I have and it’s like a broken record player, I have horrible health anxiety and my OCD just makes it worst just thinking about it everyday. It feels like everyone who I explain it to looks at me like I’m stupid/crazy. I use to be much more tame with my OCD, I use to eat things without worry, now I can’t even touch things I use to eat without worrying that I’ll get an allergic reaction (despite eating them BEFORE,,,but my mind tells me otherwise) and omg worrying about heart attacks, pulmonary issues..and I couldn’t even enjoy my own child’s birth because my mind was on high alert thinking I would hemorrhage any second or develop pre-E (complications of postpartum) I was miserable for the first couple of months of my baby’s life and I didn’t know what to do. And now, I’m pregnant with my second (4wks) and all the OCD thoughts and anxiety is coming back at me and I have no one to talk to, I feel lonely. And even if I considered taking a pill, I’d worry about being allergic to it and refusing to take it. I ruin everything for everyone. I remember I ate out one night and I started to think “you’re gonna pass out! You’re gonna pass out! (Without ever passing out before) and I had to leave! I feel like I ruin the mood for everyone when I don’t even try to, and I hate it.

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond

Prenatal OCD

Related posts

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Be a part of the largest OCD Community