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Eating Disorders

Bulimia and Pregnancy

Answered by Jill Palmer, LPC

Question

My friend is 6 weeks pregnant and still binging and throwing up. She swears she is going to stop soon. She does not want to lose the baby. How dangerous is bulimia for a pregnant woman?

I'm not a medical professional so I don't know the medical risks with bulimia while pregnant. From a counseling prospective, I would be concerned about her coping skills. Life is only going to get more stressful when her body grows and goes through the pregnancy process. How is she going to cope with all of the changes to her body and the new stress coming her way? I would want her to learn new and healthier coping skills before she gets too far along the pregnancy so she can enjoy the process more. A new infant will bring joys, sleepless nights, and a lot of change which all require good coping skills. Counseling would help her get a handle on her bulimia before it does effect the pregnancy or her future parenting skills.

About the Expert

Jill Palmer

LPC

Austin, Texas

Specialties

Anger Management, Gay Lesbian Issues, Sex Therapy, Anxiety or Fears, Divorce, Life Coaching, OCD, Spirituality, Chronic Pain or Illness, Relationship Issues, Women, Loss or Grief, Eating Disorders, Depression, Finding Your Purpose in Life

License

my_license #66202