Confirmed

ADA: Diabetes, Pregnancy, and Depression.


When I was writing my book, I repeatedly search for information on any documented connection between diabetes, pregnancy, and post-partum depression. I couldn't find any, and I couldn't get any professionals to speculate on a connection (understandably).

But I always felt that diabetes and pregnancy and depression had huge potential to interact. We know that diabetes increases your chances of experiencing depression. And we know that a medically intense pregnancy increases your chance of post-partum depression. To me, it seemed logical that these factors could come together to increase a diabetic woman's chance of experiencing pregnancy-related depression.

I snuck a few references to this idea into my book, though they lacked the "studies show" or "experts agree" label. Depression is so much harder to address and manage if you think that there's no reason you should be feeling depressed. Women who have just given birth often fall into that trap - "I have a gorgeous new baby, why am I struggling so much?" I think it helps to know that there are so many things that could contribute to depression - including the medically intense experience of a pregnancy with diabetes.

Crime and Punishment?

I glanced over at Jake this morning and realized I couldn't see his medic alert necklace. Asked if he had it, and he sheepishly replied that he had lost it. When? I dunno. Where? I dunno. Can you remember when you had it last? Um, P.E. class? I dunno...

There a few 'crimes' here, of course. One, he lost a necklace he's supposed to wear all the time. Two, he failed to tell me once he realized it was gone. Three, he went weeks without telling me. Four, the damn thing cost $60, and that just stings!

It's my job as a parent to make sure that he's safe, of course. And I'm also trying to help him to become a responsible young man who can keep track of his belongings. Then there's the fact that he needs to be an active partner in his diabetes management - to work with me, for now, to do what needs to be done, diabetes-wise.

But unlike a mis-placed cell phone, out of reach gameboy, or stolen-by-the-valet ipod, I can't seem to get mad about this. And I'm not really sure how to underscore the importance of the medical ID. I ended up (calmly) telling him that I was disappointed not that it was lost, but that he didn't tell me. Then I told him that he needs to wear ID, and we have to find a way for him to comply with P.E. rules (no jewelry)while wearing his medical ID.

I feel like a big soft pansy wrapped in a protective momma bear suit, but what else is there to do?

I'm sad that this is even an issue. I know that there are teen / diabetes battles ahead, and I'm just hoping I can find reasonable consequences for the more serious diabetes transgressions that have been known to crop up during adolescence!