Bulimia in Pregnancy: Risks & What to Do

Question
Hi, I'm 23 years old and recently became pregnant. For the last five years I have been a bulimic, and have somewhat engaged in anorexic behaviors. I didn't think i could become pregnant because I only have three periods a year and thought my body was too malnourished to become pregnant. However I did, and my boyfriend and I are thrilled about it. But I am so scared as to what my bulimia will do to harm my baby. I try to eat and keep down three balanced meals a day but as much as I try, I can't avoid throwing them up. I am also tempted to starve myself but I don't because I know how harmful this would be to my baby and also will interfere with my type 1 diabetes, which could also harm my baby. I'm so scared for my baby and don't know what to do. I have reassured my boyfriend that I've stopped purging because of my pregnancy but I still purge about five times daily, everything I do to try and stop myself never works. I know that my body belongs to my baby now that I'm pregnant but I really just don't know what to do. I'm sooo scared that I'll have a miscarriage. Can bulimia cause serious damage to my baby? Are there any steps I cant take (besides the obvious one of stop purging) to protect my baby from these risks? Also, I don't know how well my body will take to carrying a baby to full term. I am 96 pounds, have bruises on my body from vitamin deficiency, and am severely anemic. Can this cause harm to my baby? And can my pregnancy cause further harm on my own body? Thanks so much.

Answer
Kiersten,

I could go into a long explanation of the significant dangers to not only your baby but more importantly you over the long term with both bulemia and anorexia, but it would not change the fact that you need counseling.  You obviously know that you have this problem, and you therefore need to admit this to your physician (OB) and hopefully he or she will refer you for counseling.  This is absolutely critical for your health and your baby's.