Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, distressing thoughts, images, or urges that everyone experiences from time to time. During the perinatal period, however, they can be more persistent, violent/graphic, and disturbing. Intrusive thoughts alone aren’t usually an issue, but if they persist and start to affect functioning, it might be time to reach out to a mental health professional.

Perinatal OCD is different from postpartum anxiety or depression. It can start during pregnancy or postpartum and includes frequent, disturbing and unwanted thoughts, images, or impulses (obsessions) as well as behaviors such as checking, avoiding, washing, to neutralize them (compulsions). h Carolina.