welcome to the all the hard things blog

Postpartum OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) is a subtype of OCD that occurs in women after giving birth. Although it is generally thought to afflict women, we know now that anyone can experience postpartum OCD – including fathers and adoptive parents. You might have also heard about perinatal OCD, which is similar but simply also includes the time during pregnancy (i.e., not exclusive to just after birth). It’s also not *IMMEDIATELY* after birth, either. In my opinion, OCD can strike at any time and last for however long you’re breathing into its fire.

When you’re about to become a parent, you expect everything to be so wonderful and full of joy and bliss. Everyone tells you about the snuggles, the love you’ll experience, and all of the amazing things about being a new mom or dad. What they don’t tell you is all of the anxiety, fear, and panic you can feel – not to mention the intrusive, scary, unwelcome thoughts that come in out of nowhere and never seem to go away no matter what you do.