OCD and Pregnancy

by Kim Neyer | More from this Blogger

10 Jun 2010 05:44 PM

It's normal for a new mom to check on the baby several times while he is sleeping, painstakingly wash her hands before picking him up, or triple check the brake on the stroller. But for some women, these habits turn into extreme habituals and are a sign of OCD, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The hormones of pregnancy seem to trigger OCD in certain individuals, according to a recent study conducted at the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. It may worsen the symptoms for some who already have it.

Many people joke about having OCD, but the disorder is a life altering problem for those who suffer from it. A common form of OCD involves an irrational fear of germs, which may lead a person to excessively wash his or her hands, and prevent him or her from visiting certain public areas. OCD can keep people from forming deeper relationships and pursing hobbies. It may even interfere with a person's career.

For a new mother, a development of OCD could interfere with how she cares for her baby. The TBS medical drama, Hawthorne, once featured the story of a young mother who had been constantly cleaning her baby with baby wipes that contained isopropylol alcohol. The baby had absorbed the alcohol through her skin and started to seize. Granted, it's just a TV show, but it's a great example of how a mother's compulsive desire to keep her baby clean could cause her to overlook one very important detail about her methods. Women who develop OCD during or shortly after pregnancy are more likely to develop fears of germs and dirt than other women who develop the disorder.

OCD can be treated through therapy, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. Women with a history of the disorder should be on the look out for worsening symptoms and talk to their doctor if their condition does become more serious. Simply being aware that OCD can develop as a result of pregnancy can increase the chances of identifying the disorder sooner, which means moms can get treatment sooner as well.

Learn more about Kim Neyer

Kim is a freelance writer, photographer and stay at home mom to her one-year-old son, Micah. She has been married to her husband, Eric, since 2006.

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