Statistics show that in America alone seven million women are affected every year by eating disorders and they are mainly because of concerns about your own body image and appearance. There are two main types of eating disorders, which are anorexia and bulimia; both get worse during pregnancy and both can affect you in one way or the other.

The Effects of Eating Disorders

Even before conceiving and eating disorder such as anorexia can affect your changes of having a baby as generally those who suffer of this disease do not have their normal menstrual cycle and even if they have it, it is not regular and that can affect the possibility of becoming pregnant in the first place.

Pregnancy and eating disorders can cause a lot of problems both for the mother and the child such as: premature labor, child born under weight, Cesarean birth due to premature labor, respiratory problems, complications during labor, depression and in the worse case still born child or fetal death.

Pregnancy is a difficult time on its own causing huge changes in the body, mood and eating patterns if you combine pregnancy and eating disorders that are preexistent it can be a very difficult time both for the mother and the child alike. Pregnancy and eating disorders do not go together at all; women who suffer from preexisting eating disorders will be faced with greater challenges in the nine months of pregnancy.

Dealing With Pregnancy and Eating Disorders

Women who have eating disorders can have healthy babies but they need to acknowledge their problem and resolve it before it affects the baby as well. There are many programs available, which can help you, deal with pregnancy and eating disorders but you will have to voluntarily sign up for them before you endanger your health and the life of your baby.

Many women with eating disorders fear that they can never have a healthy baby or family life and often give up on it without realizing that there is a way to help both the mother and the child. Eating disorders can be brought under control in order to have a normal childbirth if you will follow special designed programs that help and deal with pregnancy and eating disorders.

Conclusion

Consult with your doctor today and find out what program and diet you should follow in order to start a family and have a healthy childbirth.