Eating Disorders and Pregnancy

Well right now I'm almost 8 months pregnant and have never talked to my dr about my ed. I was anorexic/bulimic for 12 years before I got pregnant, and stopped the day I found out. (I was 5 weeks along) I've read that continuing with your ED while pg can harm the baby (obviously) but do you think there is any chance there is something wrong with him since I stopped the day I found out? I've wanted to discuss this with my dr at every appt. (and my husband is really upset with me because I haven't) but I'm just ashamed and I don't want him to think I'm not going to be a fit mother. I do plan on getting help with it as soon as the baby is born because I'm really scared it's going to 'come back', and I don't want to hurt myself anymore. I think of my baby as my life saver because I was getting really sick and was very unhealthy before. This time last year I weighed about 130lbs, and now I'm about about 260 because I destroyed my metabolism. I'm also scared that my heart isn't strong enough and it might not make it through delivery. When I was purging every day it flip flopped a lot and I had bad heart palpatations. Anyone know anything? Thanks :)

[cowgirlup96]

Kayla I am sorry that you went through all that.  11yrs ago i weighed only 80lbs when I got pregnant with my daughter.  I was anorexic.  I was young and unlike you I never read anything about it. I continued to not eat the entire pregnancy. I only weighed 125 my 8th month when my dr figured out I wasn't eating. They put me in the hospital for 2 weeks and made me eat. When I got out I weighed 165.  I had other complications in the pregnancy as well due to it such as preterm labor and early dilation. Why the dr waited so long I am not sure.I had a healthy baby girl. As far as you going back to your disorder is up to you.  After I had her I went back to 125. Then I got the depo injection and I gained all the weight back.  I will tell you that I am over weight now and everyday is a battle with myself because I am not happy about my weight. I went on a diet 3 years ago and I lost 60lbs in 6 weeks. I kept it off for 1 1/2 years and I gained it all back plus I just had a baby but this time I ate.  Not a whole lot but normal.  You are the only person to make the choice with your disorder. I know for myself I cannot diet or I go on a starving binge. So I have learned to accept where I am.
Congrat on your pregnancy and good luck!

[myproblem]

Your husband is right. You really need to tell your Dr., especially because ED can damage your heart as well as other organs. Your Dr. needs to be aware of the possibility of problems in order to be able to help you. Actually it is surprising that you were able to get pregnant while you were still ill with ED, because for many women it causes infertility. It is not very likely that your baby will be harmed from your past behavior, but your body is at risk. Please talk to your Dr. Don't be embarassed. Your Dr. has probably heard it all before.

[luv_babies]

I agree, please please tell your dr. You did the right thing for your baby and stopped ED when you found out you were pregnant now you need to do the right thing again. I think you will find that your dr will be happy that you have been eating throughout your pregnancy. Your dr will help you if there are problems during delivery and he needs to be prepared. Your dr will not think you are an unfit mother. It's not like you have been doing heroin the entire time you have been pregnant. Good Luck!

[1twinmom]

I agree that you should tell your Dr. so he is aware of possible heart problems. He can check things out before labor and prepare for labor in case you have problems during delivery.  You are not an unfit mother and I'm sure he has had patients that have done A LOT worse things. The great part is that you decided that the health of your baby was more important than your ed when you found out you were pregnant. I'm sure your baby will be healthy and I applaud you for wanting to get help after the baby is born so you don't have a relapse. Our kids deserve the best we can give them.

[Kindell]

Congratulations on your pregnancy. I agree with the ladies that it is so important for you to discuss ALL your medical concerns with your MD. You should absolutely not be ashamed... and are far from an unfit mother. As soon as you knew you were bringing a child into this world, you started taking better care of yourself and you should be so proud of yourself for that. But you definitely need to be honest with your doctor - they are honest with you, and you need to be the same with them. If they don't know everything about your history, then they can't properly treat you, and your baby. Also, in just a month you're going to be so busy with your new baby... you're really going to need more support, especially with your ED. Again, congratulations! All the best to you and your little one!

[AnnieBrooke]

The one thing I would add to the good comments from all the posters is that I assume once you were preggers you took your prenatals?  The reason I ask is because of the folic acid needs of a developing baby.  Otherwise, the baby will generally take what it needs from your body, so you haven't harmed the baby only yourself.  But that need for folic acid is pretty crucial in early pregnancy, so I do hope you went the vitamin route.  Good luck, honey, and you have done so well to keep eating during the pregnancy.

[dandeelyon]

As long as there have been no complications at this point, your baby should be fine.  You should definately speak with your dr. to get a full physical once you have the baby.  I understand the metabolism thing.  Mine is wrecked from years of anorexia/bulimia.  I've been pretty much symptom free fro the last few years.  It takes a lot of work.   There is a support website that you may already be familiar with.  I don't find it very helpful but many women have.  It's www.something-fishy.org.  They are very particular on not using numbers and are very strict on the rules.  The forums are for people suffering for eating disorders only.  There is a separate are for family of ed sufferers should your husband want support.

Good luck.

[Kayla82]

wow, I didn't expect so many people to respond to my post. Thanks everyone. :)

I've decided to go ahead and tell my Dr about it when I see him next week. It's not worth risking my well being because I'm embarrased. I need to be here for my little boy and I need to be healthy, so I'm getting help, too.

@Cowgirlup- I hate to hear about your stuggles. I never got that little because my bone structure is bigger, plus I was afraid people would find out. I'm happy to hear that you're doing better now, and I hope you can learn to be happy with your body soon. (why is it so easy to say and not do? :/)

@my problem- I was actually suprised, too. I'm even more surprised that my Dr. hasn't even suspected anything or even once questioned my weight gain even though I've mentioned at several appts. that I've been eating really healthy..

@AnnieBrooke- Yes I'm definately taking my prenatals. I got some the day I found out, and have taken them the whole time. :)

@dandeelyon- I glad that you're going so well now. I hope that soon I can say the same thing. :) Yea, I'm familiar with that site and read it from time to time. Actually, I haven't really had a problem with the ED since I found out I was pregnant. I just knew from the beginning that this baby was more important than me and that I have a responsibility to make sure he's as healthy as possible, I'm just concerned about post pg..

To everyone else- Thank you :)

[Morgan277]

Yes, definately talk to your dr.  He can give you resources as well to get the appropriate support for you.  You should start that now so you find a group and/or therapist you are comfortable with by the time the baby is born.  With all you have to deal with having a new baby Im sure you will be less inclined to seek help.  also with the hormones jumping after birth, its best you have the support in place.  hormones and ED together, not a good mix.
good luck!