Eating Disorders During Pregnancy

Unfortunately, eating disorders do not stop just because a victim becomes pregnant.  Some eating disorders, (such as binge eating or pica), might even be more likely during pregnancy due to hormonal imbalances and/or nutritional deficiencies.  Both need to be addressed immediately, since neither allows a fetus to receive the nutrition it needs.  In addition, binge eating might cause a fetus to be bigger than normal, making labor difficult. 

However, since many people believe that pregnant women are 'eating for two', binge eating may not be picked up on as easily as pica, anorexia or bulimia.  But in reality, a pregnant woman only needs about 300 more calories than the average person, and this is more towards the end of the pregnancy.  If a loved one suspects significantly more calories are being consumed, the matter needs to be addressed no matter how sensitive the pregnant mother might be.

Of the eating disorders that occurs the most during pregnancy, binge eating and bulimia tend to be the most common.  In fact, 20 percent of pregnant women will develop either of these conditions.  Anorexics occasionally make up this percentage as well, but since the latter stages of the disease results in amenorrhea, anorexics tend to not have the ability to get pregnant in the first place. 

So, what happens to the fetus if a pregnant woman has an untreated eating disorder?  Well, it's already been mentioned that binge eating will make it grow too big.  It may also comprise other areas of the child's development since it's not getting a proper balance of nutrients.  However, since the babies are getting some calories, they might not be in as much risk as mothers who are suffering from anorexia, bulimia or extreme forms of pica.  One can find out some of the most common consequences occurring to these fetuses by reviewing the list below.

1. Low Birth Weight

If a woman does not receive proper nutrition during her pregnancy, her fetus will be born at a low birth weight. Babies with low birth weight are more likely to have respiratory illness, low Apgar scores, coronary death and diabetes. 

2. Pre-Term Labor

A baby can be born from 36 to 40 weeks and still be healthy.  Any earlier is considered pre-term labor.  If it's just a couple of weeks or so earlier, the fetus might be okay, but if it's significantly earlier, the fetus will suffer most of the risks associated with being born prematurely.  These risks, (as specified by KidHealth.org), are detailed below:

a) Hyperbilirubinemia - According to KidHealth.org an astounding 80% of premature infants are affected by this condition.  With it babies have higher than normal levels of bilirubin, which is used for breaking down the blood.  As a result infants will get jaundice or, in extreme cases, brain damage.

b) Apena - This is when the infant has difficulty breathing, especially during sleep.  It occurs because the brain has not developed enough to adequately control the breathing process.  A combination of medication and a nasal device that blows air into the baby's airways is used to help control the condition.

c) Anemia - Anemia is when an infant does not have enough red blood cells to for proper distribution of oxygen throughout the body.  Premature infants may need blood transfusions to help address this problem.

d) Low Blood Pressure - Too low of a blood pressure can damage the body.  Doctors try to control the problem in infants through medication or blood transfusions.

e) Respiratory Distress Syndrome - RDS is another breathing problems that infants develop because of lack of surfactants on their lungs.  This is a compound that allows the lungs to expand during the breathing process.  Babies must be on a ventilator until they get the surfactant they need, either through their own body or by artificial means.

f) Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia - BDP can affect all premature infants, though it is found particularly among babies who weight less than 2.2 pounds.  The condition negatively affects breathing, causing babies to have to be on a ventilator.

g) Infection - Since premature infants do not have fully developed immune systems, they are at greater risk for infection than their full-term counterparts.

h) Patent Ductus Arteriosus - With this condition an infant's ductus arteriosus, (a blood vessel that helps transport blood between the lungs and the heart), malfunctions.  This causes blood to enter into the lungs, complicating breathing and in some cases causing heart failure.  Indomethacin or ibuprofen is prescribed to try to get the vessel to close.  If neither of these drugs work, surgical intervention is necessary.

i) Retinopathy of Prematurity - ROP causes the blood vessels in a baby's eye to grow abnormally.  Infants that are especially at risk for the conditions are those weighing 2.75 or less, (as 7% of infants in this category will develop ROP).  Minor complications from ROP will result in an infant having to wear glasses or lenses when they get older.  Major complications could make the infant partially or completely blind. 

3. Disabilities

Babies born to mothers with eating disorders are at greater risk of developing a disability. One of the most common is spina bifida, a condition which results in spinal problems due to neural tube defects.  In its most severe form, it can completely paralyze a child.  However, if a woman consumes an appropriate amount of folic acid, (a nutrient found in breads and some vegetables), the risk of her baby developing the condition is significantly reduced.

Yet, spina bifida is just one of the many conditions a child born to an eating disorder sufferer faces.  According to Epigee.org eating disorders could cause a fetus to be at risk for: "cerebral palsy, liver disorders, cleft palate, blindness, and other physical abnormalities."  The site adds that infants can also be adversely affected when it comes to their intelligence, since they are more prone to a low IQ, learning disabilities and/or emotional disorders. 

4. Death

The ultimate consequence for the eating disorder sufferer that doesn't care enough about her fetus to get help for her condition is the baby's death.  This can come before the baby is born, (which is known as a miscarriage), as it is born, (known as a stillbirth) or later on from complications associated with the eating disorder.  Indeed, no child should have to suffer in such a way, especially when they have absolutely no say in their development.  If a mother doesn't want to get help for herself it's one thing… but the baby growing inside her is innocent and deserves a chance at being born healthy and alive. 

Of course, it should be noted that a mother's health is also in jeopardy if she is suffering an eating disorder during pregnancy.  It might even be more so, since the body becomes compromised a bit to accommodate for the new life growing inside.  For example, the body may take calcium from a woman's bones or teeth in order to help support bone growth of the fetus.  It will require even more calories than it originally did, making the mother so exhausted she might have difficulties doing simple things such as walking or even breathing. 

When it comes time for labor, a woman with an eating disorder might be more likely to have placental abruption, (a condition that can be fatal for both the infant and the mother), or a breech birth, (a condition that could be fatal to the infant if not addressed in an appropriate manner). 

All in all loved ones need to be especially vigilant of an eating disorder sufferer during a pregnancy.  They should not fear using emergency psychiatric intervention, nor should they resist sending her to an eating disorder clinic because of her condition. 

Additionally, they should be very careful in addressing weight issues.  It is normal for women to gain weight during pregnancy… even overweight or obese women need to gain weight.  Joking about how an eating disorder sufferer is as 'big as a house,' may be the type of comment that gets them to revert back to their negative behavior.  And if there is a weight issue for real, it needs to be addressed through love and kindness… not spite or taunting. 

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