It is incredibly important to receive proper care for those who become pregnant while in Eating Disorder recovery or are currently in their journey of learning more about their ED. Care consists of a treatment team of medical providers, therapists, and dietitians along with OBGYN specific care. Often eating disorders can place those who are carrying at a high risk for medical complications and long term psychological care. With that proper care and support a person can experience a stable pregnancy.
Warning Signs
Some warning signs that could include that a person may want to seek out therapy include:
- Polarized weight changes during pregnancy
- Continued use of symptoms that could include restriction, purging, binging, and eliminating foods
- Negative thoughts about body image or feeling a loss of control around those body changes -fear of weight fluctuation
- Isolation
- Medical complications like dizziness, fainting, GI issues, gestational diabetes, etc.
- Fear around food
- Loss of coping around changes in self, body, relationships with self and others.
- Identity crisis around parenting and being a parent while healing the body
Finding Strength and Support in Pregnancy
If you are noticing those symptoms or feelings, know that there is support for you and ways to learn more about you in this life changing process. Some skills you may gain from seeking support include:
- Body image support around weight fluctuations and body changes
- Incorporating support or outside help to make pregnancy feel less isolating.
- Emotional regulation skills and coping skills development
- Validation of worries and fears. Pregnancy is a major life change, normalizing those fears is important to your health.
- Worries about body changes post pregnancy and bodies not feeling the same after birth, fears about being a “good parent,” how your current mental health may impact post-partum, and connection with your baby
About the Author
Shelby Willoughby, LCSWC
Shelby is a Licensed Certified Social Worker in Maryland. She provides her services predominately through individual therapy but believes in bringing in chosen family systems to promote healing in the ...
