Diabetes and depression during and after pregnancy
Diabetes and depression. As if we moms don’t have enough to handle, these two disorders seem to join forces and complicate things during and after pregnancy.
Postpartum depression is quite common among first-time moms, affecting about 10 to 12 % of these women. Both gestational diabetes and pre-pregnancy diabetes complicates 9% of pregnancies.
A recent research study published in the Journal of American Medical Association shows that diabetes increases the risk of depression during pregnancy as well as afterwards (postpartum) especially among first-time low-income mothers. The study participants consisted of 11,024 women who delivered between July 1, 2004, and September 30, 2006. These women were also continuously enrolled in Medicaid before and after delivery, thus indicating their socioeconomic status. The participants were monitored for depression and diabetes symptoms 6 months before pregnancy and 1 year after pregnancy.
Results showed that women with diabetes are almost twice more likely to experience depression (and even take antidepressants) during the perinatal period (1 year post-delivery) than women without diabetes.
This is quite understandable really. If I were a first-time mom, trying to make ends meet, and diabetic to boot, I would be depressed, too. I can only imagine the stress and distress they are going through without the financial, emotional, and social support they need.
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