Almost all parents worry about the health and safety of their newborn children.

You might worry that your child will stop breathing in the night.

That a car might leap onto the sidewalk and mow down you and your stroller.

This isnotbecause you plan to do any of these things.

Nor it is because these things are going to happen.

Heres our guide to managing these thoughts and knowing when you might need help to do so.

Then, work on letting them come along for the ride, recommends Abramowitz.

Talk About Them With Another Parent or Someone Else You Trust

Ill start.

After the births of both of my daughters, I had irrational worries about their health.

I even asked her pediatrician if it might be cancer.

Okay, your turn.

By sharing these thoughts with one another, we can take their power away.

And learn that, hey, were not alone.

Other parents think weird stuff too!

Theyre just like us!

(Note: mood and anxiety disorderscan also affect fathers).

Were going to talk about what two of thempostpartum anxiety and postpartum OCDcan look like.

You cant stop thinking these thoughts.Again, Ill go first.

Those worries I mentioned above?

Because, no, these thoughts are not about who you are.

If you are so disturbed by them that you begin to question that, its time to get help.

Perhaps youre so preoccupied with your thoughts that engaging in normal conversation becomes difficult.

Or you feel paralyzed by your anxiety and its difficult to go about your day-to-day life.

All these things happened for me.

Or washing your hands repeatedly during the day?

Behavior changes like these are a way to have a go at control these worries.

These behaviors make the thoughts more common, says Abramowitz.

And they can be a symptom of postpartum OCD, another PMAD.

And you will feel so much better when you access it.

One to 2 in 1,000 mothers experience it.

It requires immediate medical attention and a mother should goor be brought toher nearest emergency room.

Neither is something to be ashamed of.

And you deserve support for whatever you are going through.