I think knowing common intrusive thoughts for postpartum OCD would have been so helpful for me when I was going through the worst of my symptoms a couple of months ago. If women could know that intrusive thoughts happen to everyone and that they are a sign of postpartum OCD then that could save women a lot of stress and suffering. When I was experiencing my intrusive thoughts I thought they were legit and meant I actually felt that way, basically leading me to believe I was a murderer when I was NOT. I don’t want other women to feel the same way I did.

Here is a list of common intrusive thoughts women can experience with postpartum OCD:

What if I fall down the stairs with my baby?

What if I drowned my baby in the bath tub?

What if I hurt my baby while feeding them?

What if I stabbed my baby?

What if I accidentally poisoned my baby?

What if I hurt my baby when I am driving?

What if I hurt my baby by accident? Or worse on purpose?

What if my baby gets SIDS and I cannot save them?

Having these thoughts do NOT make them true; they are just a sign of postpartum OCD. To be honest, I think it could be beneficial if the OBGYN had a handout on intrusive thoughts like they do for postpartum depression. No one ever mentions intrusive thoughts, and then they expect us to be open and honest at our appointments. I do not think that is fair. We need access to the resources before we can feel safe and secure with sharing our thoughts. I hope this list will help you if you think you might be experiencing postpartum OCD. Remember thoughts are not actions, and they do not make you a bad mom.