Pregorexia: The Pregnant Woman’s Eating Disorder

According to some experts, images of svelte celebrity mums-to-be such as Nicole Kidman and Richie with their “barely-there” bumps are inspiring expectant mothers to diet and exercise to excess to stay slim during pregnancy and speed the departure of those post-baby pounds. Some experts also believe that changes in shape and weight during pregnancy may exacerbate or rekindle latent anxieties and lead to a relapse of the disorder. One study even reported a worsening of symptoms in pregnancy in women with either anorexia nervosa or bulimia who were symptomatic at conception.

Not surprisingly, like the pressure for the perfect six-pack and toned thighs, the pressure to be a fit, trendy mom trickles down from the media and Hollywood. It’s tough not to pay attention to the images of slim and trim celebrities — with petite frames and tiny baby bumps just days before they’re due — or focus on the magazine covers revealing post-pregnancy weight-loss secrets.

Daily Calorie Needs During Pregnancy: First Trimester – 85 Extra Calories Second Trimester – 285 Extra Calories Third Trimester – 475 Extra Calories

By starving the body and the baby, there are many, many physical complications that may occur. Here are just a few listed below:

• Miscarriage
• Severe vitamin deficiency both for mother and child
• Low Iron levels (low iron levels can lead to anemia and even heart palpitations for both mother and child)
• Low birth weight for the baby- This is linked to many problems including psychological disorders,depression, heart disease, stunted cognitive development. In the case of pregnant women, where a weight gain of around 25 lbs is expected and desirable, this lack of nutrition to the growing child can result in premature childbirth, dangerously low birth weight and medical complications including neurological and other development damage to the baby, including conditions such as spina bifida.
• A primary danger for the mother, however, is in the act of childbirth itself. Some dangerously underweight women may experience heart failure during natural childbirth and yet are not strong enough to endure a Caesarian Section operation and the healing afterwards may be very difficult.

 

The immune system may become severely compromised, and the sufferer will succumb to previously small infections such as the common cold with increased discomfort and danger to her health. The invisible effects, however, are those on the internal organs. The primary victim of Anorexia Nervosa is the heart, and many sufferers succumb to heart disease, traditionally seen to be the disease of the overweight. Another severe effect is on the bones which can become brittle and show signs of early onset osteoporosis, usually a condition of old age.

Causes leading to Pregorexia

With more and more women becoming conscious of their physical essence, there has been a rise in pregorexia.  A number of factors can lead to the development of pregorexia, many of which are the same as those that underlie the development of an eating disorder during another time of life. These include:

• A history of trauma and neglect
• Excessive dieting, and poor coping skills.
• Genetics also play a factor, as does individual temperament, which includes traits such as perfectionism and anxiety.
• A woman with a history of an ED is more vulnerable to pregorexia
• Ambivalence toward being a new mom and its lifelong responsibilities
• Relationship difficulties with a partner due to pending parenthood
• Societal pressure to be thin, even during pregnancy