Perinatal OCD is a significant but frequently misunderstood condition that can occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Individuals experiencing Perinatal OCD may face particularly high levels of shame and stigma related to intrusive thoughts, especially when those thoughts involve harm coming to the baby, taboo content, fears of being an unsafe parent, or concerns about disclosing symptoms to healthcare providers or loved ones.
Despite growing awareness of Perinatal OCD, individuals may still encounter barriers to appropriate identification and treatment. Healthcare and mental health professionals may have limited training in distinguishing intrusive thoughts associated with OCD from other clinical concerns, and individuals may avoid seeking help because of fears that disclosure will result in judgment, loss of custody, hospitalization, or other negative consequences.
The Perinatal OCD SIG will build upon the importance of lived experience while expanding its primary focus to include professional education, collaboration, advocacy, and development of resources. The SIG recognizes that meaningful progress in Perinatal OCD care requires collaboration among clinicians, researchers, healthcare providers, advocates, and individuals with lived experience.
Individuals with lived experience will be intentionally incorporated into the SIG's activities and educational programming. For example, quarterly meetings may feature individuals with lived experience through panels, guest presentations, or other discussions designed to help professionals better understand the lived experience of Perinatal OCD and identify opportunities to improve care.
SIG Leadership:
Meeting Dates/Times:
Monthly on the 2nd Wednesdays of every month at 12:00pm ET for ~50 minutes. Approximately quarterly, we will open up the meeting to both professionals and individuals with lived experience for guest speakers, educational content, and other discussions.
December 9, 2026 - Professionals
January 13, 2027 - Professionals
Febraury 10, 2027 - Professionals
March 10, 2027 - Professionals & Individuals
April 14, 2027 - Professionals
May 12, 2027 - Professionals
June 9, 2026 - Professionals & Individuals
July - Conference Meeting
Initiatives:
- Increase awareness and understanding of Perinatal OCD within the OCD community and broader healthcare community, with particular attention to obstetric, reproductive, pediatric, primary care, mental health, and women’s health settings.
- Support and connect professionals who work with, research, advocate for, or have an interest in Perinatal OCD by creating a collaborative community for education, consultation, networking, and resource development.
- Promote evidence-based identification and treatment of Perinatal OCD, including increasing awareness of the unique presentation, differential diagnosis, treatment considerations, and barriers to care during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
- Reduce stigma surrounding Perinatal OCD, particularly stigma related to intrusive thoughts involving harm, taboo themes, infant safety, parenting, and fears of disclosure or consequences.
- Incorporate lived-experience perspectives into the work of the SIG to ensure that professional education, advocacy, and resource development reflect the experiences and needs of individuals affected by Perinatal OCD.
- Develop and disseminate educational and advocacy resources for professionals, individuals with lived experience, families, and the broader community, including presentations, written resources, awareness materials, and other outreach initiatives.
- Foster collaboration across disciplines and communities to improve recognition, referral, access to specialized treatment, and overall support for individuals experiencing Perinatal OCD.