Eating disorders in Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of profound change — physically, emotionally, and socially. Changes to lifestyle, relationships, identity, and the body can all shape a person’s experience of pregnancy. For some women and birthing parents, pregnancy can feel protective, offering greater freedom around food and eating as the focus shifts toward nourishing a growing baby. For others, however, pregnancy can increase vulnerability to disordered eating, triggering a relapse of previous difficulties or, in some cases, the development of an eating disorder for the first time.

Up to 7.5% of pregnant women experience an eating disorder.

There are a number of triggers present for a person with an eating disorder in pregnancy

• change in body size

• Clothes no longer fitting

• Feelings of loss of control over the body

• Felling physically tired or unwell (including hyperemisis gravidarum)

• Reduced ability to exercise

• Being weighed during pregnancy

• The expectation to gain weight in pregnancy

• Managing gestational diabetes (increasing fixation with numbers)

• Social media presenting women a certain way when pregnant

• Pressure to “bounce back” after having a baby

What are the risks for mum and baby during pregnancy?

Eating disorders in pregnancy increase the risk of complications including

• Hyperemesis gravidarum

• Gestational diabetes

• Low birthweight

• Increased risk of miscarriage

• Premature labour

• Increase in antenatal depression and anxiety

• Nutritional deficiency in both mum and baby

What can I do?

It is important to be transparent with your OB/GYN and GP as well as seeking support with a mental health professional and dietician. If you are connected to a hospital, public or private, there may be these team members available. Otherwise you GP can connect you with mental health and dietetics close to your area.

It can also help to have the support of a partner/loved one. This might include them cooking/preparing food and sitting with you to support you through meals.

For carers wishing to provide meal support

For more information:

For medical guidelines on managing eating disorders (non-specific to pregnancy):

What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

The main difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist is their training. Psychologists undergo 6 years of training to specialise in mental health and psychotherapy. Psychologists hold a Masters or doctorate degree. However, they are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medication.

A Psychiatrist has completed 5 years of medical school as well as additional specialised training in psychiatry. They specialise in managing complex disorders, and are able to provide medication to assist.

Psychologists and Psychiatrists often work together to support someone with mental health difficulties.

When to see a Psychologist

• Ongoing psychotherapy

• Assessment of neurodiversity, strengths and challenges

• Behavioural change and coping skills

When to see a Psychiatrist

• For diagnosis of complex mental health difficulties

• Medication management

• Some talking therapies

What is a Clinical Psychologist?

A Clinical Psychologist has specialist post-graduate training in the diagnosis and formulation of more complex mental health disorders. They have completed an additional 2 years of supervised practice. General Psychologists are more likely to work with someone around everyday issues where clinical psychologists are skilled in assessing more complex difficultoes

What should I expect in my first appointment with a clinical psychologist?

It is not unusual for you to feel nervous or apprehensive coming into your first psychology appointment. We understand that for some people, it has been a journey to get to us. Our job is to explain the process to you and make you feel as comfortable as possible.

Before your appointment

You will receive an email confirming your appointment time and our located in Malvern. In this email, there will be a link to a registration and consent form. Your clinical psychologist will recieve this information automatically once it is complete.

You may also consider going to your GP to get a referral for our service. This can be done by booking a long appointment or a mental health appointment with your GP. You don’t have to have this done prior to booking. As long as you have the referral prior to your first appointment, you will be eligable for a Medicare rebate. Referrals can be sent to us through your GP or given to your psychologist on the day.

Introductions

Your psychologist will collect you from our waiting room and introduce themselves. You are welcome to speak to us about our experience or any initial questions you may have. Prior to starting, your psychologist will speak to you about our admin structure and the details of confidentiality. This can also be found in the consent form you provided

What has bought you here?

The session will then focus on what concern has bought you to our service. People come to our service for a range of reasons including for EMDR therapy, trauma work, depression, anxiety eating disorders, OCD, pain and general difficulty functioning in their daily life.

Getting to know you

Your psychologist will then ask more about your story. This includes your early history so that we can understand the things that may have made you vulnerable to mental health issues or difficult experience. It will also include your strengths and supports, your social network and family, mob or kin.

Collaborative formulation

Towards the end of your session, your psychologist will have a good understanding of what has bought you to our service and how we can help. We will talk to you about this to check our understanding.

Working together

You and your psychologist will talk about what you would like to get out of the sessions. Your psychologist will talk to you about therapy options and recommendations. This will include frequency of sessions, any reccomendation for psychiatrist or for any parenting or group programs.