Pregnancy and Eating Disorders… (November, 2014)
During my seventeen years of working with clients, many of them have seen me for pregnancy nutrition. Some clients see me for their relationship with food during their pregnancy. Those women are not just concerned about putting the best fuel in their body for their new addition, but they have struggled with body image for quite some time.
I have clients who are amazed that their bodies are changing and others that are not enjoying the transformation. These women do not want to honor what their bodies are craving, and feel ashamed that they have a belly, maybe hips and God forbid- a butt. The “unofficial” term that has been used with these women, who tend to restrict their food, is called “Pregorexia”. There has been such shame and stress for these women, whom I see as clients, who spend many days going to their reproductive endocrinologist working on becoming pregnant. This is a real problem and fortunately there is now an online support group in Orange Country by Maggie Baumann, MFT, CEDS. It is called “Lift the Shame Support Group”. She has teamed up with Timberline Knolls, a residential treatment center in Chicago.
Clients struggle to not only legalize foods, but to gain enough weight to have a healthy baby that does not have long term medical problems: such as seizures, irritability, and ADD. Mothers can of course have miscarriages, have uterine bleeding or have a seizure themselves. When I see clients in this challenging place we speak about how they would like to be a role model for their child and how important it is for them to have a team including a mental health practitioner, and a nutrition therapist to help them see that this is not the time to limit their caloric intake.
A wonderful resource to help all pre and post pregnant women includes: Does This Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat? By Clair Mysko and Magali Amadei. This book begins by having a pledge/contract in the beginning of the book stating that there is “no such thing as the perfect body or the perfect mommy”. My favorite commitment is: ”Work on developing a relationship with food that is about health, nourishment, and enjoyment; not deprivation, indulging, and punishment”.
The book does a great job highlighting women’s top fears pertaining to motherhood. “79% of the women who have body fears-weight gain, report this is their number one fear”. This is why Pregorexia manifests itself for many women who have either had a history of eating disorder before becoming pregnant or have never recovered from their eating disorder once they became pregnant. Statistics also reveal that 73% of pregnant women with body image issue and histories of eating disorders and disordered eating said they have not shared this history with their obstetrician or midwife.
Furthermore, 79% of mothers with body images and histories of eating disorders and disordered eating said they did not discuss this history with their obstetrician or midwife. What is a woman to do? Pregnant or non-pregnant, be open and honest with your medical care team, so they can help you find the proper care, during this challenging time. It is important to get help for your mind, body and soul. Namaste.
References
1. Does This Pregnancy Make me Look Fat? Clair Mysko & Magali Amadei
2. Mayo Clinic.com Pregorexia
3. USNEWS.com pregorexia February 25, 2014
4. www.Timberlineknolls.com
