Effect Of Bulimia On Pregnancy – Part 2

During binging and purging the mother has a risk of decreased calcium intake. During the pregnancy the baby takes calcium from the mother’s body to develop it’s own bones. This lack of calories and calcium will increase the risk of osteoporosis as the woman grows older.

The effect of bulimia on pregnancy can also result in babies who develop cerebral palsy, liver disorders, cleft palate, blindness and other physical disabilities. The lack of nutrition also places a baby at greater risk for lowered IQ, learning disabilities and mood disorders.

The effect of bulimia on pregnancy and the mother will add to the existing physical problems. If mother isn’t eating enough they have a risk of becoming weak and have difficulty with breathing, walking and doing daily tasks.

Women with bulimia can also suffer from heart damage, liver and kidney damage that will become worse during a pregnancy that is affected by bulimia. Placental abruption and breech birth are also more common among women with an eating disorder.

Pregnancy is normally a very stressful and emotional time. When that stress is compounded by an eating disorder that interprets weight gain as a negative effect the woman is at greater risk for depression and post-partum depression.

Another effect of bulimia on pregnancy is that some mothers will purposely under feed the baby because they become increasingly concerned about the size and shape of the baby.

Some women find that their symptoms improve during a pregnancy because they can’t imagine starving their baby. However, without help these women will return to their previous ‘dieting’ habits and their eating disorders.

Resources:

Norwegian Institute of Public health: Pregnant Women with Bulimia Have More Anxiety and Depression

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080917095356.htm

Womens Health: Bulimia Nervosa Fact Sheet

http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/bulimia-nervosa.cfm

Vanderbilt University: Eating Disorders and pregnancy

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psychology/health_psychology/sanders.htm

American Pregnancy: Pregnancy and Eating Disorders

http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/eatingdisorders.html

British Journal Psychiatry: Bulimia Nervosa: The Impact of Pregnancy on Mother and Baby

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3651730

BabyCentre: Eating Disorder in Pregnancy