Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are more frequent in women with active eating disorder symptoms during pregnancy, including malnutrition, miscarriage, preterm delivery, high incidence of cesarean sections, and low birth weight.

Specifically, in the case of anorexia nervosa, the complications for the mother can be:

• Inadequate weight gain.
• Abortion.
• Vaginal bleeding.
• Decreased uterine size.
• Hyperemesis, that is, intense and persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

The risks to the baby are:

• Low birth weight.
• Developmental delay.
• Premature birth.
• Prenatal death.

Psychological consequences also occur: intense fear of pregnancy and childbirth, postpartum depression, and anxiety.