WAC Counseling
WAC Counseling
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    • Home
    • About
      • Who We Are
      • What We Believe
    • Services
      • Women's Counseling
      • Family Counseling
      • Children's Counseling
      • Breastfeeding
    • Classes & Outreach
      • For The Community
      • For Professionals
    • Resources
      • Perinatal Depression
      • Perinatal Anxiety
      • Perinatal OCD
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Perinatal PTSD
      • Perinatal Psychosis
      • Breastfeeding
      • Young Parenting
      • Pregnancy Loss
      • High-Risk Pregnancy
      • Single Parenting
      • Fathers
      • Infertility
      • Adoptive & Birth Parents
      • LGBTQ+ Parents
      • Birth Planning
      • Military Families
      • NICU Parents
      • Attachment
      • PSI Online Support Groups
    • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • What We Believe
  • Services
    • Women's Counseling
    • Family Counseling
    • Children's Counseling
    • Breastfeeding
  • Classes & Outreach
    • For The Community
    • For Professionals
  • Resources
    • Perinatal Depression
    • Perinatal Anxiety
    • Perinatal OCD
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Perinatal PTSD
    • Perinatal Psychosis
    • Breastfeeding
    • Young Parenting
    • Pregnancy Loss
    • High-Risk Pregnancy
    • Single Parenting
    • Fathers
    • Infertility
    • Adoptive & Birth Parents
    • LGBTQ+ Parents
    • Birth Planning
    • Military Families
    • NICU Parents
    • Attachment
    • PSI Online Support Groups
  • Contact Us

Understanding Perinatal OCD

Perinatal OCD can occur during pregnancy or after childbirth. It involves intrusive thoughts that provoke anxiety (obsessions) and repetitive actions to ease that anxiety (compulsions). While less common than anxiety or depression, affecting 2–3% of birthing people, it can cause significant distress.

Explore Resources

What is Perinatal OCD?

Perinatal OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) involves the onset or exacerbation of OCD symptoms during pregnancy or the postpartum period. It can significantly impact a parent’s daily life and mental well-being.

Symptoms May Include

  • Obsessions: Intrusive, distressing thoughts or fears, such as worries about harming the baby or fears of contamination.
  • Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to alleviate anxiety, such as excessive cleaning or checking.


*It is important to note that most disturbing or scary thoughts are about the baby. It does not mean that the parent intends on hurting the child, and in fact they often go to great lengths to avoid situations where they fear harm.

Diagnosis & Treatment

  • Diagnosis is made by a mental health professional based on the presence of symptoms and their impact on daily life.
  • Treatment often includes therapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and, in some cases, medication.


Early intervention is important for managing symptoms effectively and ensuring both the parent’s and baby’s well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling, seeking professional support can provide relief and guidance.

Resource List

International OCD FoundationNOCD Foundation

Books

Getting Over OCD: A 10-Step Workbook for Taking Back Your Life by Jonathan S. Abramowitz, PhD

Getting Control: Overcoming Your Obsessions and Compulsions by Lee Baer, PhD, with a forward by Judith Rapoport, MD

Freedom From Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Personalized Recovery Program for Living with Uncertainty by Jonathan Grayson, PhD

Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts: A CBT-Based Guide to Getting Over Obsessive or Disturbing Thoughts by Sally Winston, PsyD & Martin Seif, PhD



988: Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 

If you are feeling vulnerable or suicidal or are worried about someone, call 988, the national number for all mental health, substance use, and suicide crises. For more information on this lifeline, visit 

Alabama Department of Mental Health website. 

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Florence, AL

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