The two most common types of eating disorders, anorexia and bulimia most commonly emerge during adolescence or young adulthood. When these illnesses linger into a woman’s reproductive years they can adversely impact not only her health but also her baby’s. It is critical to understand the impact of eating disorders and pregnancy.
Anorexia involves obsessive dieting or starvation to control weight gain. Bulimia involves binge eating and vomiting or using laxatives to rid the body of excess calories.
How do eating disorders affect fertility?
Eating disorders, particularly anorexia, affect fertility by reducing your chances of conceiving. Most women with anorexia do not have menstrual cycles, and approximately 50% of women struggling with bulimia do not have regular menstrual cycles.
The absence of menstruation is caused by reduced calorie intake, excessive exercise, and/or psychological stress. If a woman is not having regular periods, getting pregnant can be very challenging.
How is my pregnancy affected?
The following complications are associated with eating disorders during pregnancy:
- Premature labor
- Low birth weight
- Stillbirth or fetal death
- Increased risk of cesarean birth
- Delayed fetal growth
- Respiratory problems
- Gestational diabetes
- Complications during labor
- Depression
- Miscarriage
- Preeclampsia
Women who are struggling with bulimia will often gain excess weight, which places them at risk for hypertension. Women with eating disorders have higher rates of postpartum depression and are more likely to have problems with breastfeeding. The laxatives, diuretics, and other medications are taken may be harmful to the developing baby. These substances take away nutrients and fluids before they are able 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.
Recommendations for Women With Eating Disorders:
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, getting help to overcome it is the best thing you can do for your reproductive and pregnancy health. The majority of women with eating disorders can have healthy babies if they have normal weight gain throughout pregnancy.
Here are some suggested guidelines for women with eating disorders who are trying to conceive or have discovered that they are pregnant:
- Prior to Pregnancy:
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- Avoid purging.
- Consult your health care provider for a pre-conception appointment.
- Meet with a nutritionist and start a healthy pregnancy diet, which may include prenatal vitamins.
- Seek counseling to address your eating disorder and any underlying concerns; both individual and group therapy may be helpful to you.
- During Pregnancy:
- Schedule a prenatal visit early in your pregnancy and inform your health care provider that you have been struggling with an eating disorder.
- Strive for healthy weight gain.
- Eat well-balanced meals with all the appropriate nutrients.
- Find a nutritionist who can help you with healthy and appropriate eating.
- Avoid purging.
- Seek counseling to address your eating disorder and any underlying concerns; seek both individual and group therapy.
- After Pregnancy:
- Continue counseling to improve physical and mental health.
- Inform your safe network (health care provider, spouse, and friends) of your eating disorder and the increased risk of postpartum depression; ask them to be available after the birth.
- Contact a lactation consultant to help with early breastfeeding.
- Find a nutritionist who can help work with you to stay healthy, manage your weight, and invest in your baby.
Want to Know More?
Compiled using information from the following sources:
National Eating Disorders Association,
Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center, https://www.edreferral.com/
