Dieting during pregnancy *TRIGGER Eating disorder*

[MissPollyHadADolly19]

I'm nearly 24weeks with my 2nd and I've noticed alot of weight gain in the last 2 week's or so. I have previously suffered with an eating disorder but have been steady for almost 2 years, I hadn't thought about calorie counting or anything much until today but I can already feel the obsessive urge in the back of my mind which if I start dieting or restricting what I eat, even in a healthy way, it might end up quickly taking over
I have SPD too so even just trying to do gentle exercise is difficult and it's a vicious circle because I know more weight gain will make the SPD worse.
Has anyone had similar experience with wanting to diet during pregnancy after battling an E.D in the past?
Help and advice needed!

Hmm. I’ve thought about trying to reduce eating, but I had opposite of eating disorder during university I used to eat way too much until I felt like I would burst. I never purged my food as I have a phobia of vomiting. I am lucky with a fast metabolism so was and still am slim. However during my pregnancies my metabolism slows and I gained 23 kilos each time!!! I always lost the weight after (never dieting and it took a year). But third time I was hoping to gain only 15 kgs so I can bounce back quicker. However, during pregnancy something can’t really control to much. Your body tells you when your hungry. So you have to eat. I would speak to someone about this as you don’t want to restrict too much.

Suggest discussing this with your DP and seeking professional help.

People who have had ED such as anorexia usually look a bit bigger eating a normal amount of calories because they have less muscle, but the weight might be a normal amount of gain. Strongly suggest you speak to your midwife about your thoughts - they might be able to make a MH referral.

pregnancy is really tough if you have or have had an eating disorder! Did you get treatment in the past? Can you get back in touch? Definitely speak to your MW, they will have dealt with this before and should be able to refer you on.

I'm on slimming world it's not a diet as such but healthier eating. I've lost atleast 1 pound every week. And I feel healthier. I'm 20 weeks pregnant in 2days. That's also doing very small amounts of exercise. My midwife is happy I'm on slimming world as it's just a healthy lifestyle change.

I would definitely discuss with your midwife and team.

I was going to suggest slimming world if you are cobsidering 'dieting' while pregnant. Its not so much a diet, but a healthy eating plan and there are extras on top of the regular plan that you have to eat to ensure you stay healthy, extra dairy choices while remaining a low fat diet. I also agree with PP saying to speak to your midwife to get help with this.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and good luck!@

Thanks for all the replies!
I'm under the Peri-natal Mental health team but not related to my E.D as my BMI was fine when I fell pregnant and haven't relapsed for nearly 2 years post pregnancy. I don't feel my E.D is triggered by the weight gain but when I start a healthy diet or normal dieting so to speak, as soon as I see weight dropping or begin calorie counting I get quite obsessive which is what I'm really trying to avoid because I know how quick the E.D could take over. One of the concerns with my weight gain is the SPD, I'm in agony most of the time and I know excessive weight gain can make it worse which is what's sparked me wanting to diet but with the E.D it's a catch 22 as I'll pretty much be resolving one problem with a far bigger one.
Just feel stuck between a rock and a hard place

I had treatment previously with my E.D but they linked it to my PTSD and said I was using it as a way of control so they never specifically focused on the E.D itself iykwim.

@Andrea91 are the group sessions/weigh ins mandatory? I'd really struggle with doing that but if i was just able to do the plan I'd give it a go.

I think there is a way to do it online. I usually get weighed and then leave not stay to group. Your weight and how much you put on or lose is confidential. Go on website and just have a read. Or call local slimming world consultant judt have general chat. Wishing you best

Slimming World or similar would be a bad idea for someone with a history of an ED.

If you’re concerned about putting on “excessive” pregnancy weight - which seems very unlikely - your midwife will be able to indicate whether this seems a risk, and advise appropriately if you make her aware of your history.

I have suffered from a serious eating disorder in the past and I strongly advise you not to try slimming world. I can't weigh or measure food, or even look at calorie amounts on packets without slipping back into obsessive patterns and I've been at a healthy weight for 10 years!

Are you weighing yourself because this might be making things worse. When pregnant my weight gain seems to happen in bursts - no weight gain for weeks then 3 pounds at once - and that can feel a bit scary. I've always gained a healthy amount but not really a pound a week steadily from 2nd trimester like it says on all the websites!

Definitely speak to your midwife and MH team but please don't start a formal diet. I get that Slimming World is one of the less extreme diets but those of us who have suffered from anorexia and like really need to be careful! Good luck.

@loopytiles it's strange as my MW and the MH team are aware of my history but haven't been concerned, my BMI was healthy at my booking in and I haven't been weighed again since. My next appointment isn't until I'm 28wks too which is abit odd as I'm sure I had way more appointments with my first!
@onlyinanemergency thank you for the heads up on that and sorry you've also struggled with an E.D in the past too.
I don't own scales and haven't weighed myself at home for probably the best part of 2 years but in the past couple of weeks of being almost totally immobile and eating a fair bit I feel like I've gained alot in a short space of time. As you said all the information says the "steady weight gain" malarkey but I'm sure that's not the case for alot of people!
Does slimming world involve actual calorie counting? Or do they just have meal plans with recipes? I'm going to mention it all to my MW at my next appointment as I'm sure they'll weigh me again then (I think?)
I really didn't think after this long I'd start having to worry about it all again tbh

No you dont count calories at all you have to weigh dairy and only have like certain amount of bread ect. But there is huge list of stuff you cn have without weighing or measuring. Unlimited fruits vegetable and the aim is to have 1/3 plate filled with those 1/3 protein 1/3 with potato pr rice

Its based on the NHS recommendations eat well plate. If you sign up someone will go though it with you.