After giving birth, Welsh actress Kimberley Nixon’s anxiety over her baby’s well-being escalated into deep anxiety. She became convinced that she wasn’t doing things right and was not feeding her baby properly, stating that “every time he cried, I was just sort of shaking – I just got really hyper vigilant and terrified.” Kimberley was eventually diagnosed with perinatal OCD, a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. The condition persisted without diagnosis and Kimberly felt alone as all the advice she found online were “baby blues and feeling sad”, with no consideration for her fears.
Perinatal OCD commonly involves significant fear of harm coming to a baby, with worries often focused on accidentally or deliberately harming the baby. The NHS states that experiencing these worries is completely normal and very common. Simon Jones from Mind Cymru added that it is “normal” for a parent to worry about a baby’s wellbeing and to want to protect them. However, if someone starts to experience obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that affect daily life, it may be the onset of perinatal OCD.
Kimberley initially felt lost, having never heard of perinatal OCD until being diagnosed. She was not fitting in any postnatal depression boxes and so had a hard time recognizing OCD in herself. Kimberley has since started sharing her journey on Instagram and has received thousands of messages from people who found support through her honesty. She has recovered from her condition and has a special relationship with her son.
Kimberley’s experience highlights the need for support and discussion to help mothers struggling with anxiety and mental health concerns after giving birth. It also serves as a reminder that perinatal OCD is a real condition that affects many women, and the importance of seeking help if needed
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