Becoming a parent brings an incredible mix of emotions—love, awe, and joy—but it can also bring surprising and often frightening thoughts that few people talk about. Many new moms experience intrusive thoughts after baby, and while they can feel alarming, they are actually quite common. Understanding what’s normal and when it might be time to seek extra support can help you find peace and perspective in early motherhood.
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, involuntary mental images or ideas that pop into your mind—often about something bad happening to your baby or yourself. They can be upsetting, violent, or simply out of character. Common examples might include imagining your baby getting hurt, fearing you might accidentally cause harm, or worrying about sudden illness or accidents.
If these thoughts make you feel anxious or disgusted, that reaction actually matters—it tells us these thoughts go against your values. They are a symptom of postpartum anxiety, not a reflection of who you are or what you want.
The postpartum period is a time of profound physical and emotional change. Hormonal fluctuations, sleep deprivation, and the overwhelming responsibility of caring for a new life can heighten postpartum anxiety and lead to intrusive or obsessive thoughts.
In many ways, these thoughts are the mind’s overactive way of trying to protect your baby. Your brain’s threat (or fight vs flight) system is on high alert—but when that alertness becomes constant, it can turn into distress and mental exhaustion.
These are common signs of postpartum anxiety or OCD, not of danger or instability.
If these experiences sound familiar, it’s important to seek help. You are not alone, and there is no shame in needing support. Postpartum intrusive thoughts are treatable, and therapy can help you find your way back to calm and confidence.
Working with a perinatal therapist can help you understand, normalize, and manage intrusive thoughts safely. Through approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and grounding skills, therapy helps you separate thoughts from truth, reduce anxiety, and reconnect with a sense of control.
Therapy also offers something essential: compassion. You’ll learn to talk to yourself with the same empathy you give to your child, easing guilt and creating space for healing.
If you’re struggling with postpartum intrusive thoughts, postpartum anxiety, or postpartum OCD, you deserve support and understanding. Healing begins with awareness—and reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.
At Everwell Counseling & Wellness, I specialize in helping mothers navigate the emotional shifts of pregnancy, postpartum, and early motherhood. Together, we’ll create a space where you can feel grounded, supported, and truly understood. If you're interested in connecting to schedule a first session together, click here.
If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, please reach out for help right away – call 911 in an emergency, or dial the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. You don’t have to hold these feelings alone.