Proper nutrition is vital during pregnancy for the growth and development of the fetus. It is imperative that women receive treatment for the eating disorder, preferably prior to pregnancy. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists and the World Health Organization, there are major risks to the baby without treatment.
Women with eating disorders often have trouble conceiving. Extreme weight loss can lead to irregular cycles or cause disruption of the menstrual cycle. This condition is known as amenorrhea, or the cessation of the menstrual cycle. When cycles are irregular, ovulation can be impossible to predict.
When women with eating disorders do get pregnant, there can be trouble from the very beginning. These women are at a higher risk of miscarriage than the rest of the population. The pregnancies that continue past the first trimester are at a higher risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.
If a woman doesn’t receive treatment and her eating disorder continues throughout the pregnancy, the baby is at risk for some serious birth defects. Blindness, lower IQ, learning disabilities and mental retardation are some of the problems experienced by babies of mothers with active eating disorders.
The baby is robbed of vital nutrients. This interferes with the baby’s brain and motor development. While major disabilities are usually associated with premature birth, even full term infants are at risk when mom has an eating disorder.
There are health hazards for the mother as well. Women with eating disorders risk serious damage to internal organs, such as the heart, kidneys and liver. The extra toll that pregnancy takes on the body can intensify these conditions. In addition, calcium deficiencies are common as the baby takes calcium from the mother’s bones in the absence of a nutritional source.
For the health and mental well being of your baby, seek treatment right away. Discuss the eating disorder with your health care provider. Your doctor or midwife can put you in touch with a program designed to treat your specific eating disorder. The sooner you seek treatment, the better chance your baby has for a healthy future.
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