It's no secret to most sufferers that eating disorders don't magically go away when a person turns 25. Or 30. Or gets pregnant.
It is certainly possible to get pregnant while deeply engaged in an eating disorder (although situations like this are very unusual). So what does a future mother do? Many people are under the impression that women who are unable to stop ED behaviors during pregnancy are sacrificing the health of their unborn child so that they can "look good," which is frankly BS.
But women with an eating disorder--or even a history of one--are at very high risk during pregnancy. An interesting article titled " Dying to Be a Good Mom " from Brain Blogger examines this phenomenon, looking at risks during pregnancy and after the birth of the new baby. What makes this article stand out is not only its good look at medical risks, but also the conflicting feelings and ambivalence many new mothers with EDs face.
One thing struck me as a little ludicrous, however. "Researchers are now finding that mothers with eating disorders may place their children at increased risk for developing an eating disorder, also." Obviously, environment is important. But what puts the child most at risk is the genes predisposing the child to an eating disorder that were passed down from the mother.
It is certainly possible to get pregnant while deeply engaged in an eating disorder (although situations like this are very unusual). So what does a future mother do? Many people are under the impression that women who are unable to stop ED behaviors during pregnancy are sacrificing the health of their unborn child so that they can "look good," which is frankly BS.
But women with an eating disorder--or even a history of one--are at very high risk during pregnancy. An interesting article titled " Dying to Be a Good Mom " from Brain Blogger examines this phenomenon, looking at risks during pregnancy and after the birth of the new baby. What makes this article stand out is not only its good look at medical risks, but also the conflicting feelings and ambivalence many new mothers with EDs face.
One thing struck me as a little ludicrous, however. "Researchers are now finding that mothers with eating disorders may place their children at increased risk for developing an eating disorder, also." Obviously, environment is important. But what puts the child most at risk is the genes predisposing the child to an eating disorder that were passed down from the mother.
Otherwise, I have to recommend it quite highly.