By Cradle Therapy · Reviewed by Mügé Tiritoğlu, RSW ·
An intrusive thought is an unwanted thought or image that appears in your mind. After birth, unwanted thoughts can feel especially upsetting when they involve your baby. It can be hard to tell someone about them, but you do not have to work out what they mean on your own.
An article cannot assess a particular thought or tell you whether you are safe. A direct conversation with a qualified healthcare provider can help you understand the experience and decide what support is needed.
Intrusive thoughts and postpartum mental health
Postpartum Support International describes persistent unwanted thoughts or images as features that can occur in perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder. Having a thought does not establish that diagnosis. A clinician considers the wider pattern, including distress and its impact on daily life. PSI perinatal mental health information.
Canada’s postpartum health guide also advises speaking with a healthcare provider when persistent intrusive thoughts interfere with sleep, bonding or the postpartum experience. Public Health Agency of Canada postpartum health guide.
Starting the conversation
You can speak plainly: “I am having unwanted thoughts that upset me, and I need help.” You do not need to describe them in a website form to request an appointment.
In a direct clinical conversation, explain whether the thoughts feel unwanted, how frequently they occur, what they interrupt, and any concern about wanting or intending to act on them. This helps a professional assess your needs. If you are unsure how to distinguish these experiences, say that too.
When to seek immediate help
If you feel you might act on thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, cannot keep yourself or your baby safe, or feel out of touch with reality, seek urgent medical help. Call 9-1-1 for immediate danger or go to an emergency department. Call or text 9-8-8 for suicide crisis support. Ask a trusted adult to help keep your baby safe while you seek care. BC crisis resources.
Do not wait for a counselling waitlist response in an emergency.
Finding ongoing support in BC
Your physician, midwife or nurse practitioner can help assess your needs and discuss medical or specialist support. BC Women’s Provincial Reproductive Mental Health Services provides referral information and public resources.
Postpartum counselling at Cradle Therapy offers space to discuss the emotional and practical changes after birth. A consultation with Mügé Tiritoğlu, RSW, can help determine fit and whether additional or different support is needed. You can review fees or join the waitlist using contact details only.
General information, not a diagnosis or individualized clinical advice. For immediate danger, call 9-1-1. For suicide crisis support, call or text 9-8-8.