Mental Health , Recovery

Postpartum OCD Is A Thing

by: Sarah TrottPosted on:

Wait, what is Postpartum OCD? 
Yep. It’s Obsessive Compulsive Disorder that develops or is magnified as part of the postpartum experience. Women who don’t have OCD can develop it as part of their childbirth experience. Women who already have OCD can see their symptoms intensify during postpartum. 
Most simply defined, OCD is when “intrusive thoughts” become fairly constant, and a person starts acting on those thoughts. 
On episode 67 of Fourth Trimester Podcast we focus on postpartum OCD and speak with Megan Ellow who is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Delaware.
 
The episode covers: 
Signs of Postpartum Anxiety and Postpartum OCD
How to find help if you think you may have symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety and Postpartum OCD (Hint: start by calling an anonymous helpline 800-944-4773) 
Megan’s true story of postpartum OCD and her recovery 

Mental Health

Afraid Of The Birth? Anxious About Being A Parent?

by: Sarah TrottPosted on:

We talk with Leah Chalofsky about the New Parents Circle and Cesarean Birth Support Group, anxiety (as it relates to pregnancy and parenting), domestic violence, and teen pregnancy/parenting. Topics covered:
Hormones and their influence
Emotions prior to birth 
Anxiety, Depression and “feeling bad about feeling bad” 
First two years of child’s life – transitions physical and mental 
Benefiting from being around other parents
Ruling out physical issues – how physical and emotional are intertwined