Postpartum OCD: When Intrusive Thoughts Show Up After Baby
Becoming a parent can be overwhelming in ways no one fully prepares you for. Alongside the love, exhaustion, and adjustment, many new parents are surprised by thoughts and worries that feel scary, unwanted, or completely out of character.
For some, these experiences are part of postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)—a form of anxiety that can show up during pregnancy or after birth. While it’s common, it’s often misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and surrounded by shame. Let’s talk about what postpartum OCD actually looks like, why it happens, and—most importantly—how support helps.
How Common Is Postpartum OCD?
Postpartum OCD is more common than many people realize. The perinatal period (pregnancy and the months after birth) is a time of increased vulnerability for anxiety disorders, including OCD.
Many new parents experience obsessive or compulsive symptoms in the early weeks after birth—even if they’ve never struggled with anxiety before. For some, these symptoms fade on their own. For others, they become persistent and distressing, interfering with daily life and bonding with their baby.
If you’re thinking, “Why is my brain doing this?”—you’re not alone, and you’re not broken.
What Does Postpartum OCD Feel Like?
Postpartum OCD is centered around intrusive thoughts—unwanted, distressing thoughts or images that pop into your mind without permission. These thoughts often focus on your baby’s safety.
Common themes include:
Fear of accidentally harming your baby
Sudden, graphic thoughts that feel shocking or disturbing
Worries about contamination, illness, or making a “fatal mistake”
Intense anxiety around routine caregiving tasks
What makes these thoughts especially painful is that they go directly against your values. They’re not desires or intentions—they’re fears.
To cope with the anxiety, many parents develop compulsions, such as:
Constant checking (breathing, monitors, doors, car seats)
Excessive cleaning or sanitizing
Avoiding certain activities with the baby
Repeated reassurance-seeking or mental reviewing
These behaviors may bring temporary relief, but over time they tend to make the anxiety stronger.
A Common Fear: “What If This Means Something Is Wrong With Me?”
One of the most important things to know is this:
People with postpartum OCD are aware that their thoughts don’t reflect who they are.
The thoughts feel upsetting because they go against everything you believe and value as a parent. This is very different from postpartum psychosis, where a person may lose insight into their thoughts or beliefs.
If you’re terrified by your thoughts and actively trying to prevent harm, that’s a sign of anxiety—not danger.
Why Does Postpartum OCD Happen?
There’s no single cause. Postpartum OCD usually develops through a mix of factors, including:
A personal or family history of anxiety or OCD
Hormonal shifts during pregnancy and postpartum
Sleep deprivation and physical recovery
The sudden responsibility of caring for a vulnerable baby
Increased pressure to “do everything right”
Your nervous system is under immense strain during this time. Postpartum OCD is not a failure—it’s a stress response.
What Helps Postpartum OCD?
The good news is that postpartum OCD is very treatable.
Therapy
A specific type of therapy called Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)—particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)—is considered the gold standard. This work helps you:
Understand intrusive thoughts without fearing them
Reduce compulsive behaviors safely and gradually
Rebuild confidence in your ability to care for your baby
Medication
For some parents, medication can be an important part of treatment. Certain medications used for anxiety and OCD are considered compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding. This is always a personal decision made with proper medical guidance.
Support doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means you’re protecting your wellbeing.
You Don’t Have to Handle This Alone
Postpartum OCD can be isolating. Many parents stay silent because they’re afraid of being judged or misunderstood. But with the right support, it doesn’t have to control your experience of early parenthood.
If intrusive thoughts are taking over your days, affecting your sleep, or making it hard to enjoy your baby, help is available—and it works.
You deserve support that meets you with compassion, not fear. Reach out today for support - connect here
