How can anorexics get pregnant

I know these thoughts are harmful and backward; I know, in one part of my brain, that my growing belly is amazing, that the love I already feel for the squirmy little girl inside me is stronger and so much more important than my desire to be smaller. But in another part of my brain, these thoughts persist, showing just how strong a grip an eating disorder can have on the way you perceive reality.

Years ago, I remember talking with a therapist about my ability to gain enough weight to have a child someday and being surprised by her response: She reminded me that this weight gain I would experience before and during pregnancy could, in theory, be temporary.

On the other hand, she said, I could also gain weight and get used to it, and notice that it feels OK. The point is that I can't know for sure how my body will change, nor how I'll react to those changes. When I reached out to eating disorder experts while working on this piece, they confirmed that the experience of becoming pregnant with an active or dormant eating disorder is a complicated one. Another expert says that my experience is one of several ways that people with a history of disordered eating may experience pregnancy.

A different, though similarly common, reaction is almost a feeling of freedom from the eating disorder, even though that's not quite what it is: "Sometimes women view pregnancy as permission to get bigger," Ariane Machin, Ph.

This is especially true because that permission is usually contingent—it only exists because the food is for a different human; once that human is gone, so is the permission to eat. For me, at least, I feel all of these things any number of times on a given day.

To cope with these unpredictable challenges, experts ultimately recommend seeking out support wherever possible. She also recommends working with a dietitian, who can help you objectively understand and fulfill your new nutritional needs. Being mindful and present throughout the process, the good and the bad, can be a useful coping mechanism as well. It can be therapeutic when people in recovery write, talk about, or read about their disease and their journey, she explains.

When a patient receives treatment for an eating disorder, her period will often return as she gains weight. In fact, a woman might not begin ovulating after reaching a normal body mass index BMI. This is because the brain may not be releasing the hormones needed for ovulation.

When this occurs, our Austin fertility doctors recommend pursuing treatment. This information can help you and your doctor create a customized treatment plan to help you bring home a healthy baby.

Even though fertility may be reduced, some women with eating disorders do get pregnant. Your body will then need increased amounts of nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, to support the growth of a baby, so women with eating disorders and their babies are both at risk. If you have an eating disorder and are sexually active or considering pregnancy, the best time to get help for your eating disorder is before you become pregnant.

Fertility may then be resumed as well," says Berens. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, consult your health care provider. Many women with eating disorders get help by meeting with a nutritionist and by seeking individual and group therapy. If you do become pregnant, schedule an early prenatal visit and let your doctor know about your eating disorder. Most women with an eating disorder can still have a healthy baby if they can eat a well-balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight throughout their pregnancy.

By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. However, fertility does not seem to be a significant problem for women with bulimia nervosa. If you have an eating disorder or issues with body image and want to get pregnant, it may be advisable to delay pregnancy and seek treatment for your eating disorder first.

You will be stronger and healthier and better prepared for the challenge of pregnancy and parenthood. Establishing healthy habits in place of those associated with disordered eating can make your pregnancy easier and improve your chances for a healthy baby. Once you do move forward with getting pregnant, it can be very important to share your history and concerns with your health professionals.

You can let them know, for example, to handle your weighing and weight gain gently and with extra compassion. Eating disorders often fly under the radar due to the shame and secrecy they evoke. Pregnant women may experience magnified feelings of guilt and shame over the potential for harm to their baby. They also often fear judgment from others. As a result, they may be reluctant to disclose their problem, and in many cases may not believe or admit to themselves they even have a problem.

Inadequate weight gain during pregnancy is one warning sign to monitor. Other signs of a suspected eating disorder can include:. Every woman is different and eating disorders vary in their presentation and course, so it is not surprising that pregnancy can affect eating disorders in idiosyncratic ways.

Pregnancy appears to be a higher-risk period for the onset of binge eating disorder BED —perhaps some women who have been dieting see pregnancy as a time during which it is permissible to break free from restrictive eating. For some women who become pregnant, their preexisting eating disorders persist through the pregnancy. For yet other women, pregnancy can exacerbate an eating disorder or lead to relapse for those with a history. For others, eating disorder symptoms may decrease during pregnancy—the knowledge they are nourishing another human being may provide the motivation to eat appropriately and inhibit other behaviors such as purging and excessive exercise.

Some women with bulimia may be able to stop bingeing and purging entirely during pregnancy. However, if your eating disorder does not improve with your pregnancy it is important not to blame yourself—everyone is different.

Pregnancy is a time of tumultuous body changes that can be hard for any woman and exceptionally stressful for those with eating disorders. Even when symptoms of eating disorders decrease during pregnancy, concerns about shape and weight are likely to remain high.

One of the most significant physical changes during pregnancy is weight gain, something feared by many people with eating disorders.

Some women struggle to tolerate pregnancy-related weight gain and body changes. Anecdotally, many women report that their pregnancies seemed to invite increased comments from other people about their bodies—this can be difficult.

Yet others report feeling liberated from weight concerns during pregnancy. Some women with eating disorders appreciate pregnancy as a new context to view their body and its capabilities.