Pregorexia is a recently-coined buzzword combining pregnancy with anorexia. Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia affect millions of women and are most common during the child-bearing years. Gaining weight can be terrifying for these women which can create a problem when they become pregnant.
Some women go into remission from their eating disorder during pregnancy. They're able to focus more on the beneficial aspects of weight gain for themselves and the baby. But for others, the eating disorder goes into overdrive. These women subject themselves to severe calorie restriction and extreme exercise to keep the baby bump from becoming visible. They may not gain enough weight during pregnancy and can even experience weight loss.
Pressure to Avoid Weight Gain
Most women have some issues with body image. This can become even more pronounced during pregnancy. The media is flooded with images of stars looking thin and gorgeous while they're pregnant. It's difficult enough for the average woman to keep up with celebrities and their arsenal of personal trainers and chefs on a normal day, let alone during pregnancy.
And it's not just the media. Experts from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) are concerned about excess weight gain and the impact of obesity on pregnancy and the baby. ACOG has urged its members to counsel patients on appropriate weight gain and the dangers of obesity during pregnancy. This type of guidance is absolutely necessary for many women, but can be one more concern for a mom-to-be already at risk or in the throes of an eating disorder. She may hear this as another reason to avoid weight gain during her pregnancy.
Appropriate Weight Gain During Pregnancy
ACOG recommends an average of 25 to 35 pounds of weight should be gained to nurture a normal pregnancy. An overweight woman should gain less, only 15 to 25 pounds. A woman who is underweight or carrying a multiple pregnancy may need to gain more...a range of 28 to 40 pounds is suggested.
Risks
Women not receiving adequate nutrition during pregnancy run the risk of complications such as:
- Low fetal birthweight
- Premature birth
- Feeding difficulties
- Fetal respiratory depression
- Miscarriage
- Preeclampsia
What to Do
Women with an eating disorder or who have a history of one are encouraged to discuss this openly with their healthcare provider. The National Eating Disorders Association also recommends a multidisciplinary team approach including
- counseling
- support groups
- a nutritionist
- a prenatal exercise class that promotes healthy exercise
- prenatal classes
This type of help can insure a healthy pregnancy for both mom and baby. Contact your healthcare provider or the National Eating Disorders Association for more information.
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