Wednesday, 03/26/2025
PHOTO: Nataliya Vaitkevich
TEXT: Cèlia Tulsà i Huix
Pregnancy is a time full of changes, emotions, and expectations. But if you are living with an Eating Disorder (ED), this experience can become even more challenging.
Pregnancy is a very complex stage for women and involves accepting many psychological and physical changes. If women without a complicated relationship with their body or food experience it as a process of great personal growth, those with an ED face it with immense strength (Mancera Fernández, 2021/2022). In this sense, pregnant women with EDs fight a constant battle between caring for the baby and maintaining their identity (Behar, 2008), which can intensify psychological distress and internal conflicts during pregnancy.
The risk of developing an Eating Disorder during pregnancy
Pregnancy causes changes in body image and weight gain in women. If a woman has experienced an Eating Disorder, these factors may trigger a relapse and could even lead to the development of an ED in someone who has never had one.
Pregnant women with EDs constantly struggle between caring for their baby and maintaining their identity (Behar, 2008).
Despite being more common than generally believed, EDs during pregnancy often go unnoticed due to a lack of diagnosis and the associated stigma.
It is estimated that between 7.5% and 27% of pregnant women may present symptoms of an ED, although many experience it in silence.
Additionally, studies indicate that women with EDs have a higher risk of unplanned pregnancies due to menstrual irregularities and low adherence to contraceptive methods.
Many women feel temporary relief knowing that weight gain is socially accepted during pregnancy. However, this relief may disappear after childbirth when they attempt to regain their previous figure. This is why, in many cases, EDs reappear more intensely during the postpartum period.
How Does an ED Affect the Baby?
According to Mackenna et al. (2021), the main risks that EDs pose for the fetus include:
- Increased risk of miscarriage and premature birth.
- Low birth weight and microcephaly (abnormally small head size).
- Breastfeeding difficulties.
- Higher risk of developing metabolic or eating problems in the future.
Some studies have shown that maternal malnutrition during pregnancy can influence the development of EDs in offspring, creating a “risk cycle” that is difficult to break. However, it can also be a turning point, leading women with EDs to change their habits to protect the fetus’s health.
How to Know if an ED is Affecting Your Pregnancy
Sometimes, symptoms go unnoticed or are mistaken for normal pregnancy discomforts, such as nausea. Here are some warning signs to watch out for:
Weight Changes (Beyond What’s Expected)
- Weight loss or difficulty gaining enough weight.
- Excessive weight gain without a balanced diet.
- Obsession with monitoring weight at every medical check-up.
Persistent Thoughts
- Intense fear of weight gain.
- Guilt or anxiety after eating.
- Constant preoccupation with food, weight, and body image.
Concerning Eating Habits
- Skipping meals or eating in secret.
- Binge eating followed by guilt or compensatory behaviors (excessive exercise, fasting, vomiting, laxatives).
- Avoiding certain foods without a clear medical reason.
EDs and Pregnancy: Physical Signs
- Extreme fatigue, dizziness, or fainting.
- Frequent digestive issues (severe nausea, constipation, acid reflux).
- Healing difficulties after childbirth.
The Importance of Raising Awareness About Eating Disorders During Pregnancy
In conclusion, although pregnancy is often idealized, it can also be a true emotional and psychological challenge for some women. The significant changes the body undergoes can cause considerable distress. That’s why it is important not to overlook this suffering—to listen, offer support, and break the silence surrounding eating disorders during pregnancy. This is not only an act of care for the mother but also for the life that is about to be born.
References
Mackenna, M. J., Escaffi, M. J., González, T., Leiva, M. J., & Cruzat, C. (2021). Eating disorders in pregnancy. Revista Médica Clínica Las Condes, 32(2), 207-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmclc.2020.06.002
Codesal Fidalgo, M. (2022). Eating disorders and pregnancy: Possible effects on the mother and fetus [Undergraduate thesis, University].
Easter, A., Bye, A., Taborelli, E., Corfield, F., Schmidt, U., Treasure, J., & Micali, N. (2013). Recognising the symptoms: How common are eating disorders in pregnancy? European Eating Disorders Review, 21(4), 340-344. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.2229
Mancera Fernández, A. (2022). Experiences of women with eating disorders during pregnancy.