Pregnancy and Eating Disorders

Pregnancy can be the happiest moment in a woman’s life. It is during pregnancy when a woman reaches the point where she will fulfill her role as giver of life. It is said that a woman is at her most beautiful element when she is pregnant.

Despite all the rosy things written about pregnancy, there are plenty of risks and discomforts that a woman encounters during this stage. It is no surprise that women may complain about a lot of physical, emotional, and psychological difficulties during her pregnancy. There is the possibility of injury to the baby as well as the various risks that a mother will be faced with. However, one of the most noticeable changes in pregnant women is that they are very susceptible to eating disorders.

What Causes Eating Disorders in Pregnant Women?

The reason for eating disorders during pregnancy varies from woman to woman, and there are some who do not experience eating disorders at all. However, for those who do, it is important to take note of the reasons why eating disorders are encountered. These reasons include the following:

1)Inability to properly assess the situation. Some women think that they will lose their sexy figure during pregnancy. This usually stems from misinformation related to pregnancy. As a result, a woman is unable to come to terms with her condition, and one of the ways for her to cope with the situation better is through eating or sometimes skipping meals totally. Either way, the result is harmful to both the mother and baby’s health.

2)A woman may also experience eating disorders because of the hormonal changes in her body during pregnancy. When this happens, a woman sometimes loses appetite. Moreover, some women are prone to vomiting during pregnancy, making them experience changes in their eating habits and eventually develop eating disorders.

3)There is the need to carefully measure one’s food intake. Because of the fragile condition of a pregnant woman, it is important for her to eat in small quantities frequently instead of having one large meal in one setting. Moreover, meals should be equally spaced to allow the body sufficient time to digest them.

4)As a result of emotional stress. For women who became pregnant under stressful conditions, she may experience some inability or discomfort in accepting the situation. As a result, eating disorders are experienced.

What Are the Ways to Cope with Eating Disorders?

Coping with eating disorders is a must in order to make the pregnancy a joyful and safe journey. Coping with such disorders is one way for women to ensure the health of both the baby and herself.

1)An emotional assessment is needed. Here, counseling will help a lot. It is important that a woman is on a proper mental and emotional perspective when it comes to treating the pregnancy period. A healthy mental and emotional outlook results in a healthy and safe pregnancy.

2)A pregnant woman must seek frequent medical attention whenever problems related to pregnancy are encountered. This way, it will avoid situations where a woman may be unable to accept certain changes, which when ignored will worsen the situation.

by: James Pendergraft