Eating disorders for pregnant women, this is the list

Eating disorders can affect anyone, including pregnant women. In fact, according to a study conducted in England, there are 7 out of 100 pregnant women who experience eating disorders.

Although not a few have experienced it, most pregnant women are reluctant to reveal their situation to doctors because they are afraid of the stigma and negative reactions they will receive.

In fact, the problem of eating disorders can have a dangerous impact, not only for pregnant women but also for the fetus they are carrying.

Eating disorders that are common in pregnant women

Source: Very Well Mind

Eating disorders can occur when a person has a negative view of their own body. They tend to have an unrealistic picture of their ideal body shape. No exception for pregnant women.

Most eating disorders have been experienced before entering pregnancy, but there are also cases that appear later.

Usually they have a fear of changing their body shape when they are pregnant. Here are some eating disorders that are common in pregnant women.

1. Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by extremely low body weight. Sufferers have an excessive fear of gaining weight, therefore they also change their diet to keep body weight from gaining.

This eating disorder is very likely to occur in pregnant women. Moreover, the period of pregnancy is known to give big changes to the body, including weight that will increase dramatically. Because I didn't want this to happen, my mother reduced her food portions excessively

This is of course very dangerous, considering that pregnant women should consume more nutrients in order to support fetal development.

Lack of food intake will not only put the mother underweight but also at risk of having a baby with low birth weight, premature birth, or even miscarriage.

2. Bulimia nervosa

Similar to anorexia, mothers who experience bulimia eating disorder always feel afraid of being fat. The difference is, the mother still wants to eat normal or excessive amounts of food.

But after that, the mother would vomit her food by force. Sometimes mothers also use laxatives and do excessive exercise.

As a result, when this habit continues, this can lead to dehydration, fluid imbalance in the body, and in some cases the baby who is born also has congenital heart defects.

Frequent consumption of laxatives that are common for people with bulimia can cause digestive health problems.

3. Binge eating disorder

Eating disorders can not only hit those who want to lose weight. There are some people who think of pregnancy as a period to give way to the desire to eat a lot of food.

They often argue that this is done in order to provide adequate food for the fetus.

If this happens to you, the first thing to do is tell your doctor about your condition. Your doctor may later refer you to mental medical services that can help change your habits.

Usually, you also have to undergo psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy to train and change the way you think about the problem at hand.

In addition, your doctor or therapist will work with a nutritionist to make a diet plan that will be followed during pregnancy. Make additional appointments with your doctor to make sure your fetus is still developing well.

Getting treatment for eating disorders will be more difficult for pregnant women. Communicate to your family or doctor and therapist about your situation and things you are feeling to help make healing easier.

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