Eating Disorders are very prevalent within the women community leading to suicide, depression, and several other health issues. This is due to society implementing outrageous beauty standards women to follow from birth. Most do not know that eating disorders can follow up to pregnancy leading to potential health hazards in both the mother and child. 

A study was conducted on pregnant women in South-East London to see how prevalent eating disorders were. Their findings highlighted that there was significant number of pregnant women who had or have some type of form of an eating disorder. However, the study also found that most medical professionals who cared for the pregnant women failed to identify the individuals with eating disorders and provide proper care. 

 “The clinical importance of increasing awareness about maternal eating disorders in maternity professionals to improve identification and response to the healthcare needs of pregnant women with eating disorders.” (par 6.)

There is a need for Eating Disorders within the women community that needs to be identified and taken care of at its core.  Awareness needs to spread about the risks of eating disorders so it can be properly handled and cared for. 

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Referenced works:

Bye, Amanda, et al. “Prevalence and Clinical Characterization of Pregnant Women with Eating Disorders.” Https://Onlinelibrary-Wiley-Com.ezproxy.library.unlv.edu, Wiley, 23 Dec. 2019, onlinelibrary-wiley-com.ezproxy.library.unlv.edu/doi/epdf/10.1002/erv.2719. 

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40.2% of pregnant women have concern about weight during the pregnancy period

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 Pregnancy can cause many physical changes that concern body weight, which can increase the risk of a women developing an eating disorder. Several epidemiological studies show that approximately 1 out of 20 women may experience some eating disorder during pregnancy. Binge eating and depression are the most common types of eating disorders along with excess concern about weight gain. During pregnancy, 21.7% of women suffer from depression.  Eating disorders can have negative consequences for both mothers and fetuses.

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In the postpartum period, dissatisfaction with body weight and shape is normal, even in women without education.

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​This study found that breastfeeding can be very being beneficial to the baby, it strengthens attachment and psychological outcomes. As for the duration of breastfeeding for mothers with eating disorders, insufficient scientific literature was found. More research would be needed to reach a conclusion. It has been observed that education and income are associated with prolonged breastfeeding , which is also related to weight loss after childbirth.

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Now that we see understand the prevalence of eating disorders among pregnant women it is vital we hear from actual women their experiences  so we can better raise awareness of this happening around us. Further research needs to be done in this area. 

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It is important that healthcare providers have an awareness that pregnant women may be undergoing personal distress and to be sensitive to the specific needs of women with eating disorders.

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References

Martínez-Olcina, M., Rubio-Arias, J., Reche-García, C., Leyva-Vela, B., Hernández-García, M., Hernández-Morante, J. J., & Martínez-Rodríguez, A. (2020). Eating disorders in pregnant and breastfeeding women: A systematic review. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 56(7), 352. doi:10.3390/medicina56070352

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