Pregnancy in restricter-type anorexia nervosa: A study of six women

Abstract

Six restricter type women with anorexia nervosa were interviewed regarding their pregnancies and four of the women were interviewed again three to four months following the birth of their children. Although these women were able to nutritionally sustain their fetuses during pregnancy, and there was a mitigation of their anorectic behaviors during pregnancy, all returned to their pre-pregnancy anorectic thinking and behaviors following the births. The effects of the pregnancies on various aspects of their lives are reported, including marital relationships, body images, mood states, and cognitions. The early postpartum period is also described.