Eating Disorders & Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

Eating Disorders

Pregnancy brings enormous change to a person’s body, and for someone with a history of disordered eating, that change can bring old thoughts and behaviours back to the surface.

This can also bring increased feelings of shame or guilt, especially when pregnancy is often framed as a blessing and there is added pressure to nourish and care for a developing baby. Those expectations can make it harder to speak openly about struggles with food, body image, or disordered eating during pregnancy.

Eating disorders and pregnancy intersect more often than most people realise, yet the topic rarely gets the open conversation it deserves.

Whether you’re currently pregnant, planning to be, or supporting someone who is, understanding how these two things interact can make it easier to get the right care early.

Need immediate assistance? Text us: 416-907-9013 or fill out our form to start a conversation.

How Pregnancy Affects an Eating Disorder

Eating disorder symptoms can change during pregnancy, and those changes can look different from person to person.

Some people find their symptoms ease during pregnancy, often because they feel a strong pull to protect their baby’s health.

Others find their symptoms intensify, especially as body changes accelerate and control over eating starts to feel harder to hold onto.

Hormonal shifts, nausea, changing hunger cues, and a body that looks and feels unfamiliar can all act as triggers. For someone already managing anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder, these changes can be destabilising even when the pregnancy itself is wanted and welcomed.

What Are the Risks of Eating Disorders and Pregnancy Complications?

Eating disorders and pregnancy complications are closely linked, which is part of why early support matters so much. Depending on the type and severity of the eating disorder, risks can include:

Preterm birth
Low birth weight or poor fetal growth
Gestational diabetes
Nutrient deficiencies that affect both parent and baby
Increased risk of postpartum depression and anxiety
Complications with labour and delivery

These risks are not guaranteed outcomes. They’re part of why working with an eating disorder team that understands both eating disorders and pregnancy care is so important, rather than managing either one in isolation.

Signs of an Eating Disorder During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can make disordered eating harder to spot, since food aversions, appetite changes, and body image concerns are common even without an eating disorder present. Some signs worth paying attention to include:

Restricting food intake despite hunger or medical advice
Intense anxiety about weight gain during pregnancy
Skipping prenatal appointments tied to weigh-ins
Purging behaviours or compulsive exercise
Withdrawing from conversations about the pregnancy or body changes
Extreme focus on “losing the baby weight” before birth has even happened

If you notice these patterns in yourself or someone you care about, reaching out to a provider who has experience with eating disorder and pregnancy care is a strong first step.

Related: ARFID in adults

Getting Support for an Eating Disorder While Pregnant

Pregnancy is not a reason to wait on treatment. Support during this time works best when it’s coordinated between an eating disorder specialist and your prenatal care provider, so both your mental health and physical health are being monitored together.

EatWell’s eating disorder treatment program is built to adapt to exactly this kind of situation, with care that responds to what a pregnant body and mind need rather than following a generic plan.

If you’re supporting a partner or family member through this, our guide on what not to say to someone with an eating disorder is a useful place to start, since pregnancy adds another layer of sensitivity to conversations about food and body.

How EatWell Supports Pregnant Clients With Eating Disorders

Every pregnancy and every eating disorder history looks different, so care at EatWell starts with a full picture of both.

Eating Disorder Treatment in Toronto is shaped around your specific symptoms, your trimester, and your prenatal care plan, with a team of doctors, dietitians, and therapists working together rather than separately.

Sessions focus on keeping nutrition consistent for you and your baby, managing anxiety around body changes, and addressing disordered eating behaviours without adding shame to an already difficult experience.

Care can continue into the postpartum period as well, since recovery doesn’t stop at delivery and many people find the fourth trimester brings its own challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you have an eating disorder while pregnant?
Yes. Eating disorders can continue, improve, or worsen during pregnancy, and pregnancy itself does not resolve disordered eating on its own.

What are the biggest risks of an eating disorder during pregnancy?
The most common eating disorders and pregnancy complications include preterm birth, low birth weight, nutrient deficiencies, and a higher risk of postpartum depression.

Should I tell my doctor about my eating disorder history if I’m pregnant?
Yes. Sharing this history allows your prenatal care provider to monitor for complications and coordinate care with an eating disorder specialist.

Can eating disorder treatment continue after the baby is born?
Yes. Postpartum support is often just as important as care during pregnancy, since new physical and emotional demands can affect recovery.

Support for Eating Disorders and Pregnancy in Toronto

If you’re navigating an eating disorder during pregnancy, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. EatWell offers individualised care that works alongside your prenatal team, with virtual support available across Canada and in-person care in Toronto. There is no waitlist and no referral needed to get started.

Reach out through our contact page to book an appointment!