Any new moms with OCD?

[Bianca01]

Any new moms with OCD? Just wondering what it looks like for you and how do you cope?

 

[gracealone]

I'm not a new mom.... I'm a old mom, but when I was a new mom my OCD tortured me. What was really rotten about it was that I didn't know what OCD was or what a Panic attack was and I lived for well over a year in constant pain before I learned about these disorders... too afraid to tell anyone for fear they would get the net and lock me up.
MY OCD told me that I would go crazy and do something to harm my baby. Miserable thing to live with .. but like all OCD thoughts even though it made me feel sick it was nothing more than a thought. I raised three children and never once did I harm them. Whatever is dearest to you is where OCD likes to plant it's ugly feet because it can't upset you in any other way.
Hope this helps you to know that if you are having intrusive thoughts that it is just OCD.
Warmest Regards!

 

[stacii]

This was a good question and a good response as I am considering motherhood and am nervous about my OCD. I do have the advantage of knowing what OCD is before having children, but honestly, when I'm having an intrusive thought, knowing that I have OCD doesn't help me rationalize the fear. My doctor suggested counseling after giving birth to help combat any feelings of stress or fear that I might have. Stress really makes me spike...and what is more stressful than having a baby!?

 

[Bianca01]

Gracealone,

Thank you for your wisdom. It does help to know it's only OCD. It just sometimes so scary. I appreciate your encouragement.

 

[Bianca01]

Stacii,

Having my daughter is the most wonderful experience. When I was in labor and giving birth, I don't remember hardly any OCD episodes... just one thinking the birthing ball might be contaminated. For me OCD was always about some sort of harm coming to a loved one because I didn't do the laundry right by putting their shirt on a certain hanger and it took more than 15 minutes sometimes to figure out which hanger that was. I know... nonsense. Then sometimes counting because I couldn't decide if my number should be 2 or 3 or 5. It seems ridiculous writing this out. So frustrating. Now I worry like Gracealone did, that I might go crazy and... I can't even write it. And I am the most careful Mother so the intrusive thoughts make absolutely no sense. I spent a whole day once in the nursery because I didn't want to take her into another room. I pray all the time for this OCD to be taken away. But, you know, through it all I am so glad I gave birth to my daughter (best experience of my life even though I worried through my whole pregnancy) and so thankful she is in my life. So, I hope if you want to be a Mommy that you become one. Don't let this OCD thing stop you.

 

[treasures]

Yes, I have also dealt with the Post-Partum OCD. It gets a little more intense. But, it's so worth it to be a mom. Let's pray for each other. Thank you.

 

[Bianca01]

So, it doesn't sound like too many people have dealt with this?

 

[gracechick]

Probably more then it appears & it can be stressful & sometimes a little scary.

But yes it is all worth it when they start cooing, smiling, laughing, blowing kisses....