A recent study of the Harvard Medical School found out that diabetes in low in come pregnant women may be linked to depression compared to moms-to-be who have normal insulin levels.
The study points out diabetes as a factor which may double the chances of depression. Other factors like insulin or other medications and when the pregnant woman was affected with diabetes do not play major roles.
The study did not look into the association of diabetes and depression but cites the physiological changes that happen when someone has diabetes. It also points out to the stress level of the person managing the chronic problem of diabetes.
The background information of the study relates that about 10% of women suffer from depression around 2 to 6 months after delivery. The problem must be addressed since this can affect the development of a healthy relationship between the mother and child.
Things like troubled relationship, difficult pregnancy, stressful events, violence in the family, problem with the health of the baby, lack of a support group, and financial problems greatly influence the development of depression post pregnancy.
Proponents of the study collaborated with around 11000 women who gave delivered babies between 2004 and 2006. Results of the study revealed that about 15% of these low income women with diabetes developed depression while pregnant or after delivery. There is a big difference in the figures when compared to nondiabetic subjects which only had 8.5% affection.
Recommendations were made so health facilities will pay attention to the diabetes of pregnant women and their depression since both of these conditions are treatable.