Anyone have intrusive thoughts have children?

[Guest Hollyb123]

As i have suffered with violent intrusive thoughts and relationship ocd it scares me the thought of having children incase it transfers on to them, it terrifys me infact. Especially when I consider pregnanacy hormones could add to the problem, would like to hear from people who have children who suffer these types of OCD and how you cope? Right now i think i would be a terrible mother, even tho its what I really want also did anyone take medication during pregnancy? Did it have any effect on the baby?

[Aileen82]

Hi Holly. I have 3 little boys and I'm expecting my 4th baby in 2 weeks. I have had an extremely difficult pregnancy with ocd. I chose to come off my meds when I got pregnant but if I could go back knowing how difficult it would be I would have stayed on them. I sailed through my other pregnancies like little miss sunshine and not a care in the world with no meds but this time was completely different. Suppose 1 bad out of 4 is quite good really. There is no way of telling how your pregnancy will go or if your ocd will pass to your kids. Out of my 3 boys my eldest would show tendencies to worry an awful lot while the other 2 are soooo laid back!! I had relationship ocd before I got married but the themes have changed a good few times since then. In my experience the people who worry alot about if they are going to be a good mother usually make the best ones so don't let that put you off!! Don't give up on your dream of being a mum or ocd has definitely won. Your doctor will go through all your options in relation to meds and/or cbt during pregnancy. And who knows you may sail through it all ? xx

[Em24]

Hi Holly, I have a thread on here documenting my journey with my own OCD and my son showing traits (he is nearly 6) have a read if u like. I'll be updating it in a mo so you wont have to trawl through xx

[Guest Hollyb123]

Thanks Aileen and Emma for taking the time to reply, that is really encouraging Aileen and was lovely to read, so thankyou and Emma i'll look into your previous posts too xx

[Guest lucylia]

Hi holly,

I have 2 children. An older son and just had a baby last year and I stayed on medication during my last pregnancy (I can't remember with my son as it was so long ago but I think I also did then). Both very healthy children. There are meds out there for ocd that are considered safe during pregnancy. Im not going to lie to you though but I'm also not saying this is what will happen to you - but after my having my first child I was a wreck. I mean a right mess ? one of the worst times of ocd I can ever recall. I think that's what scared me out of ever having anynore .... However, when I had my little girl last year, it was a totally different experience ??. I don't know why and can't understand it myself but it was almost like the shock of new baby and the situation I was in this time as opposed to when I had my son (young,single, lonely) and this time round i was and still am in stable relationship (married now) and it was an amazing experience. It's only now months down the line I can feel ocd creeping back in ever so slightly but nothing at all in comparison to when I had my son all those years ago. With that said, please don't let it stop you. I would go through it all again for my kids. I adore them and inspite of my terrible illness I wouldn't change them for the world. Best bit of advice I can give is, stay on your meds or ask about medications considered safest during pregnancy and never let your guard down. Always be prepared for your ocd to spike. If you let your guard down and don't have a plan of action it could hit you like a ton of bricks. If you prepare for the possibility of it worsening for a while then you will be better equipped to fight it. Good luck for the future x

Lucy xxx

[Guest Hollyb123]

Hi Lucy thanks for your story, i'm sorry you suffered so much with having your son but it just shows you that you then went on to have a great pregnancy with your daughter! Thats really encouraging. I definately think for me I have to stay on my meds even if i become pregnant as this is the third time ive had to go back on them, so ive kind of come to the conclusion that i need them which is fine, same way a diabetic needs insulin! An yes i will always be prepared from now on, i thought i was completely over OCD as i had been so steady for 3 years on my meds, and it has hit me like a ton of bricks!! I wont be making that mistake again! Thanks for your advice xx