Eating Disorders and Pregnancy


Eating Disorders and Pregnancy do not mix. You and your baby will be put at great risk for complications and possible death. According to an article in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, compared to women without a history of an eating disorder, the risk of having a preterm delivery or low birth-weight baby was 70 percent and 80 percent higher, respectively, in those with an eating disorder.


Possible complications

• Premature labor
• Low birth weight
• Stillbirth or fetal death
• Intrauterine growth retardation
• Likelihood of Caesarean birth
• Low APGAR scores
• Delayed fetal growth
• Respiratory problems
• Gestational diabetes
• Complications during labor
• Low amniotic fluid
• Miscarriage
• Preeclampsia

More facts

• You are also at greater risk for postpartum depression.
• Medications such as laxatives, diurectics, etc (often used for weight control) are harmful to developing baby.
  These substances take away nutrients and fluids before they are able to be used to feed and nourish the baby. It is possible they may lead to fetal abnormalities as well, particularly if they are used on a regular basis.

If you have found out you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, please read the below suggestions from the American Pregnancy Association:


Prior to Pregnancy

• Achieve and maintain a normal and healthy weight
• Avoid purging activities
• Consult your physician and receive a medical check up
• Meet with a nutritionist and start a healthy pregnancy diet supplementing with prenatal vitamins
• Seek counseling to address your eating disorder and any underlying concerns; seek both individual and group therapy

During Pregnancy

• Seek a prenatal visit early in your pregnancy and inform your doctor that you have been struggling with an eating disorder
• Achieving normal weight gain is essential; the closer you are to normal weight, the better the chance of having a healthy baby
• Eating a well-balance meal with all the appropriate nutrients is a necessity
• Avoid purging activities
• Seek counseling to address your eating disorder and any underlying concerns; seek both individual and group therapy

After Pregnancy

• The physical and emotional changes of pregnancy may trigger depression and/or a relapse of eating disorder symptoms
• You are more susceptible to postpartum depression
• Continue counseling through individual and group sessions
• Inform your safe network (doctor, spouse, and friends) of your eating disorder and the increased risk of postpartum depression; ask them to look out for you. (Ideally, they will know of your disorder before the baby is delivered.)
• Eating disorder behaviors can hamper your breastfeeding efforts, so don't allow yourself to fall back into unhealthy patterns.

If you have trouble with Eating Disorders and Pregnancy, please talk to your doctor immediately and strongly consider in or out patient treatment.