The Link Between Pregnancy & Postpartum and Eating Disorders

If you are in eating disorder recovery or have struggled with your relationship with food + body in some way, being prepared for the season of pregnancy and postpartum and all of the changes it will bring is essential.

Because it’s can bring up ALL these feelings & more:

1. Coping with Weight Gain

One of the primary fears in eating disorder recovery/disordered eating is the fear of weight gain. Diet culture tells women throughout their lives that weight gain is “bad” and that bodies should not change is we are “disciplined” enough. Of course, this belief can be triggered during pregnancy where weight gain is expected.

2. Body Changes

Diet culture tells us that pregnancy is the “only time” body changes are “acceptable” to change/gain weight. This comes alongside prescriptive and outdated “weight gain guidelines” that are based off of the BMI (which we know is inherently flawed and outdated). While you may have healed this belief and created a new relationship with your body, these changes can trigger old eating and body image patterns.

3. Appetite & Hunger

Many individuals in recovery from an eating disorder or disordered eating have used certain behaviors to avoid honoring their hunger. The increased appetite that results from pregnancy and postpartum can create internal conflict leading to guilty and shame around eating.

The journey of pregnancy and postpartum is unique and also filled with so many triggers for someone in recovery from disordered eating or an eating disorder.

Maybe you never struggled with an eating disorder, but the shifts of motherhood have brought up old thoughts and patterns around food and your noticing they take up too much precious time away from your baby.

Feeling like you need some space to explore your relationship with food & body after baby?

Getting support from a Registered Dietitian trained in working with disordered eating and eating disorders is essential.

Complete an application for my 1:1 signature coaching program designed specifically for breastfeeding & postpartum moms looking for a non diet, body positive approach to pregnancy and postpartum.