By: Gabrielle Morreale M.A. LPC. C-DBT.
Pregnancy is a vulnerable and beautiful time in life. It is a time filled with physical, emotional, and psychological changes. When recovering from an eating disorder, this journey can present unique challenges and opportunities for healing. Pregnancy in general is hard. It is beautiful and boy, it is hard. Balancing the needs of your growing baby while trying to take care of yourself and others is a difficult task, one only a mother can handle.
In this blog, we explore the complexities of eating disorder recovery during pregnancy I will share some personal experiences, and provide guidance on navigating this special season of life.
Understanding the Dual Challenges
Let’s start with the obvious, pregnancy brings about significant bodily changes, which can be particularly triggering. Weight gain, body shape changes, and shifting hormones can exacerbate pre-existing anxieties about body image and food. If you are struggling it's ok, I am sending you compassion and strength. Remember in life, not just pregnancy bodies change.
Change can be hard and it’s biologically supposed to happen. This change will hopefully come with great joy in the end. One thing I reminded myself is that different isn’t bad. If your body is different, please remember it’s not bad. What you’re doing is miraculous Mama, and so is your body. If you can, let pregnancy serve as a powerful motivator for recovery. Easier said than done…totally get that!
Strategies for Maintaining Recovery During Pregnancy
Assemble a Support Team: Recovery is not a solo journey, especially during pregnancy. If you can, build a team of professionals, including an obstetrician, a therapist specializing in eating disorders, a dietitian, and a support group. These experts can provide individualized guidance and will monitor and share in your pregnancy journey. The more honest you are with your team the better the outcomes and the more support they can provide.
Try to Embrace Your Plan with Your RD: Pregnancy requires increased intake of certain nutrients and RD can help you come up with a plan to make sure both you and baby are getting what’s needed. If you can let your RD develop a balanced meal plan that meets these needs without overwhelming you. They are on your side and want to support you and baby.
When Possible Practice Mindful Eating: Mindful eating involves paying attention to your body’s hunger and fullness cues without judgment. This practice can help you reconnect with your body’s hunger cue’s and hopefully decrease stress around meals.
Address Body Image Concerns: As we already stated bodies change it's ok!! The more we can embrace the physical changes of pregnancy the less we may feel triggered by the changes. Also if you're not able to “embrace the bump” its ok, I didn’t. I focused on the function and what my body was providing while using radical acceptance to sit with the discomfort. To learn more about radical acceptance check out our blog here. Also, consider using affirmations or journaling to cultivate body appreciation. These tools are not easy and may take work but utilize what works for you and ask for help if needed.
Communicate Openly: Share your thoughts and feelings with trusted loved ones or your team. There is no shame in whatever you may be struggling with, they want to support you! Authentic communication can alleviate feelings of isolation and help you process complex emotions. As I always say, find your tribe hold them tight, they want to show up for you!!
Recognizing Warning Signs
Despite your best efforts, it’s possible to experience setbacks during pregnancy or in recovery in general. Please be gentle with yourself. It's ok to struggle and it's ok to ask for help! Know the warning signs that may indicate slips or setbacks in recovery,
Persistent fear of weight gain or body changes.
Skipping meals or restricting food intake.
Hiding food
Engaging in compensatory behaviors like over-exercising.
Preoccupation with calories or weight.
Eating until feeling sick or engaging in purging behaviors.
If you notice increase symptom usage, take a breath and reach out for help! Early intervention can prevent further complications for both you and your baby. I worked w/ an RD during my pregnancy and it was a game-changer!
Celebrating Progress
Recovery during pregnancy is a testament to your strength and resilience. You are one strong Mama!! Every step you take toward nourishing your body is an act of love for yourself and your baby. Celebrate daily wins even if its just getting through the day! Also please know myself and my team are rooting for you always!
In closing
You can maintain recovery during pregnancy. Also, it's okay if you find this season challenging! Wherever you fall please know you’re not alone. Eating disorder recovery during pregnancy can be an act of heartache and healing. It’s an opportunity, to embrace body changes and food challenges. If you can prioritize your well-being and seek support as needed. You are worthy of a happy, healthy, pregnancy. Remember, recovery is not about perfection; it’s about progress, compassion, and perseverance. You’ve got this!! Also if you need support we would LOVE to help! Maternal mental health is one of my passions. Learn more about our maternal mental health team here.
Resources
Other Mental Health Services Offered in PA, NJ, DE, SC, MD, CT, and FL
We offer a wide variety of services related to eating disorder recovery including trauma therapy! We offer Weekly Support Groups, Nutrition Services, and Family and Parent Therapy as well as Coaching, all tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual. We offer our services for Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, and Orthorexia as well as Maternal Mental Health, and eating disorder therapy for athletes online in New Jersey, Delaware, South Carolina, Maryland, Florida, Vermont, and Connecticut! We are here to offer our support and understanding in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
We have immediate openings right now for eating disorder therapy in:
Delaware, New Jersey, Florida, Maryland South Carolina, Connecticut, Vermont, and Pennsylvania.
And recovery coaching worldwide.
Recovered and Restored is an eating disorder therapy center founded by Gabrielle Morreale, LPC. We specialize in helping teens and young women heal from eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, orthorexia, and binge eating disorder and treat disordered eating, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. We provide eating disorder therapy in the towns of Horsham, Upper Gwynedd, Lower Gwynedd, North Wales, Lansdale, Hatfield, Blue Bell, Doylestown, and nearby towns with eating disorder therapy. Also providing virtual eating disorder therapy in New Jersey, Delaware, and Florida. Some towns served virtually but are not limited to Pittsburg, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Center City, Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Mount Laurel, Cape May, Avalon, Brick, Dover, New Castle, Bethany Beach, Marydel, and Oceanview
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