I realize that I am not the one having this baby, but I find myself drawn to articles about pregnancy health and such. Just today, an article came across my desk about “pregorexia“. Eating disorder behaviors that begin during pregnancy. Who knew?

Apparently the media and Hollywood socialite-types contribute to this madness by referring to a pregnant woman’s expanding mid-section as a baby bump, as though you should only gain weight where the baby is.

I’ve noticed a trend lately where the thin gals seem to avoid purchasing maternity clothes, and instead squeeze into usual outfits. This can only accentuate every additional pound that they gain. For someone with ED tendencies I am sure that this must push them right over the edge.

But the restricted nutrition intake that results in limited weight gain can have severe consequences for mother and baby:low birth weight, anemia, ADHD, rickets, heart disease, poor growth and brain development, increased risk of miscarriage or preterm delivery.

The Institute of Medicine still recommends a weight gain of 25-35# during pregnancy for women who start out in a normal weight range, 28-40# for women who start out underweight, and 11-25# for women in the overweight/obese category.

Women should not hesitate to request a consult with a registered dietitian nutritionist if they find they are having difficulties gaining adequate weight, or if weight comes on too quickly.