Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder involves obsessions and compulsions that start or worsen in the postpartum period. They typically develop within days to a month after delivery. The International OCD Foundation estimates that approximately 1-2% of postpartum women develop postpartum OCD. Among women who already have OCD, as many as 39% experience worsening of symptoms in the postpartum.

Symptoms of Postpartum OCD may include all the symptoms of OCD during other times of life plus the following symptoms that are specific to the postpartum period:

• Obsessions about the baby being harmed
• Obsessional fears that you may harm the baby even though you do not want to
• Compulsions to check that the baby is safe
• Avoidance of the baby out of fear that you may harm him/her even though you do not want to
• Problems caring for or bonding with the baby due to these obsessions/compulsions