Pregnancy, Birth and Eating Disorders

Procreation and Disordered Eating is Dangerous Territory

Feb 21, 2009

Body Image Issues and Pregnancy, Mac_2014@flickr.com

Body image/weight issues and eating disorders can wreak havoc - cause serious health concerns before becoming pregnant, or, if pregnant, and postpartum.

If body image and the fear of becoming fat either is or has been a major concern, care must be given before considering pregnancy. If pregnant, the eating disorder must be treated with ongoing care from the treatment team and nutritionist(s), otherwise, there appears to be dangerous health risks posed to the expecting mothers and her unborn babies.

Women of child-bearing ages who have an eating disorder and who are not in recovery or struggling with recovery should wait until they have some solid, grounded, foundation. Without a recovery cornerstone, during pregnancy, body image and weight issues have a strong chance of surfacing, presenting a marked risk to relapse.

Risks of Eating Disorders Before and During Pregnancy

With anorexia there will be a loss of the menstrual cycle, and with bulimia, the menstrual cycle is interrupted. Thus, the ability to conceive is dramatically reduced.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, further problems during pregnancy may Include:

"Premature labor;
"Low birth weight;
"Stillbirth or fetal death;
"Likelihood of cesarean birth;
"Delayed fetal growth;
"Respiratory problems;
"Gestational diabetes;
"Complications during labor;
"Depression;
"Miscarriage; [and],
Preeclampsia."

Eating and Good Nutrition During Pregnancy is Mandatory

Food and the nutrients from food are important to not only nourish moms, but their developing babies. Expectant mothers must maintain decent weight levels during and after pregnancy. Moms' bodies need all of their strength necessary to support life - theirs as well as their babies.

The U.S. National Association of Eating Disorders has this to say, "During pregnancy the growing baby receives all its nourishment from the mother’s body. When stores of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are low, a woman’s body will drain them to support the growth and development of the baby. If reserves are not sufficiently restored through healthy eating, the mother can become severely malnourished, and this in turn can lead to depression, exhaustion and many other serious health complications."

Pregnancy is not the time for disordered eating of any nature. This holds true after the birth of baby as well. Moms need to be able to meet the demands of newborn infants as well as cope with the possibility of postpartum depression. Poor nourishment before, during pregnancy and after pregnancy can severely hamper moms' abilities to cope with the stress of new motherhood.

Logically, it would follow, that ingesting substances designed to aid in elimination can harm the unborn baby and cause further injury by depleting the mother's system of essential nutrients such as fluids, and electrolytes. Over time, this may lead to developmental problems for the unborn.

What Direction to Take?

The American Pregnancy Association (as quoted above) also suggests the following:

Inform the health care professionals about the eating disorder(s);
Seek to maintain a weight that is medically appropriate;
Be sure to eat, eat meals that are nutritional;
Engage the professional help of a nutritionist;
Purging is not allowed;
Therapy is strongly encouraged to address the eating disorder and any other issues that may raise problems; and,
Create a support network that can be engaged after the baby is born.

Once the baby is born:

There will be new stress to cope with, including the likelihood of postpartum depression, thus it is essential to continue therapy;
Eagerly enlist the help of the support network;
If desiring to breastfeed, contact the appropriate professionals; and,
Continue with the nutritionist(s) for ongoing strength and stamina solid nutritional fuel provides.