Postpartum OCD — The Intrusive Thoughts No One Warns You About | 230

Postpartum OCD — The Intrusive Thoughts No One Warns You About | 230

Author: Trish Ware, RN December 17, 2025 Duration: 17:13

In this eye-opening episode, Trish tackles a topic that often leaves new moms feeling isolated and ashamed: postpartum OCD and intrusive thoughts. If you've ever been haunted by scary "what if" scenarios about your baby - like dropping them or something terrible happening - you're not alone, and you're not a bad mom. Trish shares her own experiences, breaks down what postpartum OCD really is, how it differs from depression or psychosis, and offers actionable steps to seek help and break the cycle. This episode is a lifeline for moms struggling in silence, emphasizing that these thoughts are common, treatable, and don't define you.

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Key Takeaways

  • Understanding Postpartum OCD: It's a perinatal mood disorder involving obsessions (unwanted, disturbing thoughts about harm to your baby) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors to ease anxiety, like constant checking or excessive cleaning).
  • The Science: Postpartum hormones and sleep deprivation amp up your brain's protective mode, turning normal vigilance into a stuck alarm system that fuels the OCD cycle.
  • Getting Help: Speak up to a trusted person, seek a perinatal mental health specialist trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, consider safe medications, and explore trauma therapies like EMDR. Shame and silence only worsen it - treatment works!
  • For Partners and Family: Approach with empathy, avoid shaming, and encourage professional help without enabling compulsions.

Resources Mentioned


More from Postpartum Unpacked:


Helpful Timestamps:

  • 01:47 Understanding Postpartum OCD
  • 02:10 Common Obsessions and Compulsions
  • 04:18 Postpartum OCD vs. Postpartum Psychosis
  • 08:06 Impact of Birth Trauma
  • 10:02 Seeking Help and Treatment Options
  • 12:33 Support and Encouragement

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Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services


Ever find yourself scrolling through endless forums late at night, wondering about the real, unfiltered details of childbirth that no one seems to talk about plainly? The Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama is here to change that. Hosted by Trish Ware, RN, this podcast draws directly from her years in the delivery room, where she’s helped bring thousands of newborns into the world. She knows the questions that keep you up at night, from the logistical-like how to effectively push or what Pitocin actually does-to the vulnerable fears about epidurals, VBACs, or those embarrassing but totally normal moments. Trish moves beyond clinical jargon to offer honest, compassionate, and evidence-based insights that feel like a conversation with a trusted friend who’s seen it all. Each episode tackles a specific aspect of pregnancy, labor, and early parenting, like navigating breastfeeding challenges or figuring out newborn care, with the goal of replacing anxiety with practical knowledge. Tuning into this podcast means getting a seasoned labor nurse’s perspective delivered with warmth and a deep understanding of what you’re going through, helping you feel more prepared and empowered for your own journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama
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