Mental health / perinatal OCD

[misformegan]

Hello,

i’m 32 weeks pregnant at the moment. I’m first time mum with OCD. I got some taboo themed flavours of OCD (fellow OCD sufferers will know) and a side order of contamination fears.

I’ve coped really well for most part of my pregnancy, I was in recovery for 2 years and knew pregnancy would bring about its own challenges so preemptively started meds, and therapy for a while. However I’ve noticed in third tri my mood has taken quite a dip - likely with loss of independence, no energy to do much, insomnia causing a lot of tiredness. I hate how much I’m having to rely on my partner with sometimes the most trivial of tasks.

Any tips on how you manage/ are managing these? I know they’re all perfectly normal at this stage but as you can imagine my OCD can make things a little more overwhelming.

The “straw that broke the camels back” recently is my little cat was attacked by another, and I have horrific guilt at all of the surgery he has just had and wearing of the “cone of shame”. He’s a rescue and incredibly anxious himself, so I sadly tried to intervene when he removed his cone and got two huge scratches - one down the side of my hand (pinky to wrist) and one down my breast (over nipple and right under). The wee soul just completely panics.

I’m trying not to panic with Dr Google over the scratches - washed and dressed the scratches, keeping an eye for any infection. But my head isn’t letting it go. It tells me I am both a terrible pet parent, and now have every bacterial infection. When I’m doing well, I’m far better able to rationalise but I’m just finding my tolerance has completely gone.

I suppose I’m writing this in the hopes that someone can advise on anything they found helpful in getting through this dip? I just want to rebuild some of my tolerance to stress and lift my mood so I’m better able to cope with what life and my head throws at me.

Hello, fellow first time mum with diagnosed OCD, and I got it bad... yup I know it, and the cross contamination is real I hear you.

One can feel so powerless when you need to rely on your partner, and if he doesn't have the same levels of perfection its so hard to feel okay with the same. I struggled a lot, my DH is so super chilled. And is the cross contaminatior, freaks me out. Just try using DBT skills if you learnt those when getting help, they really can help. Also try give yourself a manageable space as a safe outlet.

It's going to be hard, the hormones that make things so difficult to manage. Just be kind to yourself, you also dont have to perfectly manage yourself. Try give yourself some grace during this time, that now you are doing what you cqn. And I know it's hard, because we obsess over everything, every little detail sernario and we can find them all. The best abd the worst.
You going to be fine after the cat I got scratched up too, and was panicking I would harm my baby, he is four months soon and super happy healthy baby.
If you worried or feel like you have symptoms see a Dr.

Try focus your mind elsewhere, have a task a hobbies something to do, try be mindful use music or art or whatever is your go to therapy. Write if you can, write out the feelings over and over if need be. Speak to someone about it, seek mental help from a professional if needed.

Also you doing great as both a future mum so far as you looking out for the little one. And you doing great as a furmum. I'm sorry about his situation hope he gets well soon. Try not feeling guilty, rather embrace that you doing all you can, and appreciate the mother you are, and the care you give.

Focus on what you appreciate everyday, maybe have other mantras for yourself when struggling. Fake it if you have to at first tell you make it. You pregnant it's hard, it's emotional and it's difficult. Allow yourself space to cry, or scream when needed, then remind yourself your little one is coming soon. Get yourself excited over something, spend time nesting ny making future schedules for the little one can do that and bedrest.

I found it got so much better, you learn to calm down more when they come. Because at times their needs don't give your ocd time to process.

Pick out a first outfit, plan photos you want to take. Maybe look at online ideas, plan to get keepsakes maybe do prints. Focus on making a plan to capture the newborn you about to love and enjoy.