Intrusive thoughts in postpartum - what, why, and what to do about them?
Why do I want to talk about such a dark topic?
So that no mum ever thinks she’s alone or that she’s the weird one out.
My experience? Almost every new mum has intrusive thoughts. Yet, they’re still a taboo topic brushed aside, or hidden completely.
Intrusive thoughts are normal in postpartum, and serve a biological purpose - mother is more alert to dangers. Intrusive thoughts do not mean you’re a bad mum. In fact, they often show up because you care so deeply.
These thoughts can be triggered by exhaustion, hormonal shifts, anxiety, or past trauma.
The key thing to remember? A thought is just a thought. It’s not a sign you’ll act on it.
Common intrusive thoughts can be:
What if I just lose control of my arms and drop the baby?”
What if something happens while I’m sleeping?”
What if I lose control and yell at them/throw this item in my hand?
What if I drive out of the bridge?
What if something happens to me or my partner?
What if I walk too close to the door frame and bang their head?
What if I step on them?
What if something bad happens when someone else is with my baby?
What if my baby hates me?
What is my car doors lock when my baby is in there?
What if I somehow drop them down the stairs / off the balcony?
What should I do about intrusive thoughts?
If intrusive thoughts are making you anxious or starting to limit your life, seek support or talk to someone you trust. You don’t have to deal with them alone. The support can be talking or supporting you at home with housework or baby care to allow you to rest.
Mindset shift - Appreciate the intrusive thoughts for what they are; they are not the reality; they are exaggerated thoughts designed to keep you vigilant. Your brain is working as it should.
BabyCare Gold Coast offers Holistic Postpartum Support designed to help new mums navigate the early days of motherhood with ease and confidence.
Our services include Postpartum Doula support, Baby Reflexology, and Pregnancy and Postpartum Counselling, providing holistic, natural postnatal care.
With a focus on postpartum healing and mental health for new mums, we support new mums with birth trauma recovery, emotional well-being, postpartum anxiety, “baby blues”, emotional healing after birth, and holistic baby care.
Postpartum Doula postnatal in-home support is available in the Southern Gold Coast, including areas from Coolangatta, Tweed Heads, Kirra, Palm Beach, Burleigh Heads, Miami, Mermaid Beach, and Broadbeach.
Baby Reflexology is a natural way to address common early life challenges like colic, reflux, sleep difficulties, breastfeeding struggles, stomach issues, teething, stiffness, restlessness, and fussiness to bring relief and comfort to both baby and mum.
Pregnancy and Postnatal Counselling is available both in-person and online, via Zoom. Themes to explore in Perinatal Counselling can include planning your postpartum, integrating your pregnancy and birth journey, navigating relationship changes and new family dynamics, processing changes in body, mind, and identity, coping with sadness or nostalgia for life before motherhood, finding your place in motherhood, and addressing intrusive thoughts or other unspoken struggles.
Our treatment room is located at 58 Railway Street, 4213 Mudgeeraba Gold Coast.
Our pricing is planned to provide affordable support options, making it accessible and suitable for all mums, no matter where you are in your postpartum journey.
Every Mum deserves to experience a joyful and peaceful postpartum. From struggle and survival to joy and ease.