pregnancy and eating disorder

[jan2011]

hi
i am just over 20 wks pregnant and have yet to get my scan which is making me anxious as i just want to know that everything is ok with my baby. i have suffered eating disorders for 10 years now and since i found out i was pregnant i have tried so hard to look after myself and eat properly for my baby. its very difficult as my eating disorder was a way to cope with things - i am trying to reach out to people more and am getting the nutrients in but still i have binged and purged a few times since. its very hard just to stop completely. please do not judge me i am trying my best, im in counselling, and i am going to get support from my midwife - anyone who can help me. if anyone is going through/her gone through this please lets support one another. i have fears of being well enough to look after the baby - i want to put my issues behind me once and for all but i know a baby can be very stressful and am worried that the stress will make it worse - im hoping the way will happen - that having the baby will cause me to leave the eating disorder. i am just anxious at the minute. when i do fail in my eating plan i get so sad and feel so so down about it and like such a bad mother. i want to do everything i can right for this baby. sigh. thanks for listening. x

Just a bit of practical advice from a former sufferer avoid laxatives when purging, could bring on early labour I think. Ensure you drink plenty, lucazade lite is low cal and has good salts etc when you struggle.

Each day is separate, so don't punish yourself for yesterday. It's ok to mess up and weight / diet doesn't have to define you. You have done so well to get in therapy, it's a long process but this is the best thing to do to stop the cycle and ensure you don't pass issues onto your baby.

Do you have a way of relaxing/ somewhere to put your energy? I find excersize makes me feel better and helps me justify eating.

Its great that you are aware of how important it is to try to eat properly, that you are trying so hard to do your best and that you have been able to talk to professionals and get yourself counselling.

I had a long term eating disorder (anorexia) and after I recovered went on to have 2 healthy daughters. As you say, it is very stressful being a new mum, but I managed not to revert to restricting food, and I think that having a baby to think about and care for did in some way help give me a new focus (instead of the eating disorder being the focus).

I am now pregnant again and this time, for the first time in many years, I am finding I am struggling once again with food issues. But I think it is my morning sickness that is triggering things - i.e. I feel sick so I don't eat and then I get a mental boost through not eating which makes it harder to eat properly. I am planning to speak to my midwife soon though (I'm 10 weeks but have not yet had my first midwife appointment).

Have you already spoken to your midwife? Do you have a date through for your scan yet?

Hi jan2011 you must be reasonably well otherwise you wouldn't be able to carry a baby at all. So that is great news.

I am 34 weeks pg and after a stressful Christmas lost weight and have since failed to gain quite as much as I should. The result was that 2 weeks ago I started going into pre-term labour. My mw tells me that under-nourishment is a major cause of early labour as the body can no longer cope with the pregnancy. I have since been sitting very still and trying so hard to eat. My DH is incredibly supportive and has bought me loads of protein+carbs powder to make into drinks to supplement my diet. I am trying to add protein by eating nuts and hummous [sp]. It is a hard and unpleasant slog and I feel bloated most of the time. I find tricks like watching tv and snacking are good in conning myself into eating.

This is my 4th DC so I know I can do this.

Wishing you a safe and healthy pregnancy and a gorgeous baby at the end of it :)

hi - thanks so much for all your kind replies.

MrsVidic i am not using laxatives i stopped that years ago which is a good thing now. i have been in and out of therapy but am giving it another go with a new therapist so am really hoping this will be it. i am doing some gentle exercise and it helps me release some of the energy and getting out of the house is helping too - it is just stressful as my hubby is off and im out of routine and i find that hard to cope with - as well as inlaw worry and stress. they came round yesterday and i find it so hard to cope with them and it triggered the binging and purging since yesterday, but im hoping i can put this slip behind me and focus again.

isthreetoomany i am so glad you have recovered and given birth to two already - you have so much strength to do this and it gives me hope! im sorry you are finding things difficult at the minute, i do understand about the sickness and it bringing temptation back - i really do wish you all the best and hope you can talk to your midwife and that the sickness will pass and you can get into a good routine soon. you have done it before so you will do it again - remember this stage WILL pass. it really does encourage me that when your children were born you were able to focus on them rather than the ed. that is one of my main concerns and hopes. i get my first visit with the midwife and scan this week (i didn't know i was pregnant till late)

motherofsnortpigs it is a miracle that i am pregnant and the baby has come this far. the capabilities of my body have surprised me! i have also been taking supplements to maintain my weight which are very nutritious for many months, so unawares these would have helped my baby too. i haven't really gained much weight yet so i hope things are going to be ok. i got an emergency ultrasound at the hosp and they said the baby was the right size when they found out i was pregnant. i am sorry you nearly went into labour that must have been very scary, and it must be still scary even now with trying to keep going with eating. i take fortisip supplements maybe your doctor could prescribe them they are nutritionally balanced. i really hope things go well with you, i find on good days eating little and often works well for me, but my main problems are restricting, and binging and purging. i really hope i don't have problems like not gaining the right amount of weight etc.., i am stressed about it i just need to take one day at a time and try to keep eating whats safe for me and talking about my problems rather than using my eating disorder to cope with them.