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Pregnancy OCD struggling to manage

4 replies

littleblueelephant · 10/02/2018 12:09

Just wondering if anyone else experienced OCD during pregnancy and how they coped? Every day I struggle with making decisions and feel like every decision I do make is dangerous in some way.

For instance we have just had a new tap fitted in our kitchen. This morning I drank a glass of water straight from the tap (I've been boiling it beforehand until today) and now i feel convinced I have exposed my baby to listeria. This feels like an almost certainty in my mind and I struggle to reframe the thoughts any other way as it feels almost careless or selfish of me not to worry about things like this, if that makes sense?

My relationship is suffering as I have driven my poor husband to distraction with my various fears throughout pregnancy and he struggles to cope with each new worry, as his rational counters to my fears just go over my head.

We have not bought much for the baby yet or done much planning for after birth because my anxiety will not allow me to, it feels as though I am tempting fate and risking the baby by even looking at the things we could buy.

I don't really know what I'm looking for by posting really, perhaps the reassurance that other women have felt like this during their pregnancy and have managed to come out the other side with sanity intact?

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QueenAravisOfArchenland · 10/02/2018 12:13

Have you spoken to your midwife about this? Do your issues predate your pregnancy and have they ever been treated before? I think you need to get referred to perinatal mental health, if you haven't been before, for some support. This is no way to live.

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littleblueelephant · 10/02/2018 12:27

Hi queen I have just been referred to the team recently and they are working on a plan for me. I know it's no way to live, I feel wretched all the time! If I manage to stop worrying about one issue it makes me feel like I don't care about my baby so I end up dwelling on things constantly (like the water this morning, I've thought of nothing else now for hours)

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jellycrumble · 10/02/2018 12:47

@littleblueelephant I'm glad you're seeking help. Please let me know what they do for you as I'm in exactly the same boat. I'm 20+2 and completely convinced something will go wrong (even though every single test and scan has proved otherwise!) I suffer from anxiety and I'm utterly convinced I'm going to catch listeria. Ive also have 2 MCs before (no living DC)

I've stopped eating out at places as I'm so convinced I'll get it and my baby will die. I'm constantly washing my hands. And I'm terrified of toxoplasmosis. I know I need to speak to my midwife but I feel so ashamed.

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littleblueelephant · 10/02/2018 12:59

Oh jelly so sorry you're struggling too. Don't feel ashamed to speak to your midwife or GP, in my experience they won't judge and can help you get proper support. It's better you do it sooner so you can get any therapy or treatment you need asap, I know in my area there's a long waiting list for perinatal support.