Recently, I have run into a number of breathless news reports which detail the dangers of a new trend known as “pregorexia”.  Apparently, there are many women who are  starving themselves in an effort to maintain or lose weight during pregnancy and there is concern that this is harmful to the fetus.

The reports indicate that there is now a trend in which “Expectant mothers are dieting and exercising to excess as they try to mimic Hollywood stars with svelte figures weeks after giving birth”

Here’s and example of one of these reports:

As a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, I (of course) have the utmost of concern for the wellbeing of the fetus; and would consider anything done to harm a fetus inadvisable at best and criminal at worst. 

However, let’s try and back away from the hype and analyze this objectively.

From the above report, let’s first look at the good points made by Dr. Holly Phillips:

1. Pregnant women should not focus on scale weight – good point.
2. Exercise is good and has many benefits for the pregnant patient. – excellent point.
3. Don’t overdo exercise and don’t push yourself to the point of exhaustion. – absolutely.

However, there were also a few points made which were (in my opinion) unjustified.  These are:

1. Caloric restriction can lead to  birth defects? Whoa., I may be wrong, but I could not find a medical reference to back that up.  In fact, there is good evidence that a prolonged caloric SURPLUS can cause abnormal growth in cells and this has been linked to cancer.  Who knows what it might do to a fetus?
2. Hypoxia from excercise can lead to neurological problems? Wait a minute.  Hypoxia from chronic lung disease or from asphyxiation of the fetus during labor can lead to neurological problems, but, to obtain that level of oxygen deficit from exercise is (once again in my opinion) impossible.

I didn’t intend to flame Dr. Phillips, but I do think there should be some perspective to what she said. 

As in all things, moderation is the key.

More to follow on this topic.