Perinatal OCD: intrusive thoughts during pregnancy and after birth

Intrusive thoughts about the baby are very common after birth. For some parents, they become obsessive, and that's perinatal OCD. It can start during pregnancy or after the baby arrives, and it can affect any parent.

What it looks like

• Frightening, unwanted thoughts or images of harm coming to the baby
• Avoiding bathing, changing, or being alone with the baby
• Checking constantly that the baby is breathing
• Excessive cleaning or sterilizing out of fear of germs
• Asking a partner or family again and again for reassurance

What you need to hear

Having these thoughts doesn't make you a danger to your child. Parents with perinatal OCD are distressed by their thoughts precisely because they want to protect their baby.

What helps

Perinatal OCD responds well to treatment. Talk to your doctor, midwife, or nurse. You can say: "I'm having scary thoughts about my baby that I don't want, and I can't make them stop." Health professionals who know OCD will understand.

If you're having thoughts of harming yourself, or you feel you might act on a thought, get help right away: call or text 9-8-8, or 911 in an emergency.

This article is education, not a diagnosis. Only a doctor or a registered mental health professional who has met you can tell you whether you have OCD.

Reviewed by the Nuanse clinical committee · September 2026. This page is education, not a diagnosis.