I was reading a few articles today about preventing type 2 diabetes
after having gestational diabetes and ALL of the articles mentioned that
people with GD have a much higher risk of having postpartum
depression. Have any of you heard or experienced this? I'm just
worried because I've had a super stressful past few months (major
marriage issues, GD, losing my job, money problems, etc.) and I know
having a newborn is going to be even more stressful, on top of all of
that. I think I'm already experiencing symptoms of depression, which makes me even more stressed about it. For those of you who have had PPD, is there anything I
can do now to prevent this or reduce my chances of getting it? Did any of you notice symptoms of depression before giving birth? Thanks!
Re: GD = PPD??
I had GD and currently have PPD now. I did not notice any symptoms of depression while I was pregnant. I had depression in my teens which also placed me at a higher risk.
GD may (I repeat may) affect your milk supply if you are planning on breastfeeding. This is something I wish that I had known.
This may not happen to you but it is a major trigger for my PPD. Just be prepared that breastfeeding is exceptionally difficult to adjust to if you've never done it before. Definitely use all of the resources that you can if you're planning on breastfeeding - the lactation consultants at my hospital are 100% awesome, my pediatrician has a LC, and there are some that will come to your house too.
If you think you're already getting depressed, talk to your doctor, they might have a list of resources for you that are free.