Perinatal is a time of significant change within a woman's physical and emotional well-being, which can include the presence of new mental health challenges. Perinatal OCD is a condition that can occur during pregnancy or within the first year after birth. For some, pregnancy triggers perinatal OCD symptoms, even if they have never shown signs of OCD in the past. At Althought Therapy, we offer a safe, supportive environment where you can begin to understand what you’re experiencing, while working to find relief for your symptoms.
What is Perinatal OCD
Perinatal OCD is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder unique to women who are pregnant, or have been pregnant within the last year. This condition can include unwanted, intrusive thoughts, otherwise known as obsessions. Compulsions are the other key symptom of perinatal OCD and can include repetitive mental acts or behaviors that are done in an attempt to reduce your distress. While compulsions and obsessions can be distressing, it's important to remember they do not reflect you as a person.
Perinatal OCD can occur alongside anxiety and mood-related concerns, which can intensify your symptoms. Factors that can contribute to the onset of perinatal OCD include hormonal changes,increased threat-monitoring that often accompanies new caregiving demands, and having more responsibility than before. You may be able to recognize that your obsessions or compulsions are irrational or unnecessary, though you struggle to control them. With the right support and guidance, you can learn to manage your symptoms and improve your overall emotional well-being.
Common Perinatal OCD Issues People Face
The hallmark symptoms associated with perinatal OCD include compulsions and obsessions. Compulsions are behaviors or mental acts that you engage in to try to find relief. This can include things like repeatedly checking your baby's breathing, seeking frequent reassurance from others, excessive cleaning, and mentally reviewing your actions to make sure you didn't cause your baby harm.
Obsessions are intrusive thoughts that cause significant distress. This could include a persistent fear of accidentally hurting your baby, excessive worry about germs or illness, and worry that something bad would happen if you were not consistently vigilant. People who are living with perinatal OCD experience significant distress because their obsessions and compulsions go against their values. This can help explain why perinatal OCD symptoms are not a reflection of you as a parent.
What Our Perinatal OCD Counseling Process Looks Like
To make the process simple and stress-free, here’s what you can expect when getting started with us:
1
Contact Me
Use my online booking system, email, or phone to get started.
2
Schedule A Phone Consultation
We connect briefly to understand your needs and answer questions.
3
Get Set Up on Your Online Portal
Complete documentation and access session tools.
4
Begin Therapy
Engage in structured work that builds insight, improves regulation, and clarifies responses.
How We Support You in Perinatal OCD Counseling
At Althought Therapy we work with the specific clinical reality of perinatal OCD — that obsessions and compulsions exist precisely because they violate your values, and that the path through is changing your relationship to the thoughts, not the thoughts themselves. We recognize that many aspects of your life change during this time, which can be challenging to navigate. Perinatal OCD is a specific mental health condition that often benefits from specialized care. We pair ERP and CBT with attachment-informed and nervous-system-aware work, helping you gain control and feel more confident as a parent during the perinatal period.
FAQs
Common signs of OCD during pregnancy and postpartum include unwanted, intrusive thoughts about harm or repetitive behaviors like avoidance and reassurance-seeking. You may find that engaging in specific behaviors or rituals temporarily decreases your anxiety. OCD symptoms are often time-consuming and can significantly interfere with your daily life.
Get Perinatal OCD Therapy in Lakewood, Colorado
Perinatal OCD can feel frightening and isolating, especially during pregnancy or the postpartum period, when you expected to feel joy or connection. Intrusive thoughts, heightened anxiety, and compulsive behaviors may leave you questioning yourself or fearing that something is wrong. These experiences are more common than many people realize, and they are treatable with the right support. Therapy offers a safe, nonjudgmental space to understand what is happening and regain a sense of stability.
At Althought Therapy, perinatal OCD therapy in Lakewood, Colorado, is designed to help you navigate intrusive thoughts and compulsive patterns with clarity and compassion. Together, we identify triggers, reduce avoidance behaviors, and build effective coping strategies that support both your mental health and your role as a parent. This focused approach helps decrease anxiety while strengthening confidence and self-trust.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts or repetitive behaviors during pregnancy or postpartum, dedicated therapy provides practical tools and steady guidance to help you feel grounded, capable, and at ease during pregnancy and postpartum. If you're ready to rewrite your story, Althought Therapy offers compassionate counseling services for clients in Lakewood and across the greater Denver, Colorado area.