100 people in various military uniforms with 7 in another color

7 out of 100 veterans will experience PTSD

13 out of 100 female veterans will experience PTSD 100 women in various uniforms with 13 in another color

Post traumatic stress disorder is common among those who serve in the military.

Around 7 out of every 100 veterans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives.

And the number is even higher for women who have served — 13 out of 100.

A pregnant service woman is sitting in her doctor’s office with one hand on her head and the other on her baby bump

PTSD has its own set of symptoms, like flashbacks and nightmares, and it can also increase the risk of complications during pregnancy.

A female doctor of color is explaining to the woman that she has gestational diabetes. The doctor is holding a clipboard with her medical records on it that reads “Gestational diabetes”

For example, being diagnosed with PTSD raises a woman’s risk of developing gestational diabetes, a condition that causes high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

This may be due to elevated stress hormones, which can harm the body’s ability to manage blood sugar. PTSD is also known to have negative effects on heart function, which can also make women more prone to gestational diabetes.

Depression increases gestational diabetes risk

The pregnant service woman looks very sad

Having a history of depression, which is common among servicewomen, also increases the risk of gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes also increases the risk of postpartum depression

The woman is wearing pjs and a robe with messy hair sitting next to a baby who is lying in a crib; the woman looks sad

One study found that more than 1 in 4 women veterans surveyed reported experiencing depression.

Interestingly, it works both ways. Having gestational diabetes during pregnancy can also raise the risk of postpartum depression.

Spell out the problems from the column on the right, with each problem appearing as the VO mentions it

Gestational diabetes can lead to potential problems for the baby, including:
Excessive birth weight
Preterm birth
Breathing problems
Low blood sugar
Higher risk of Type 2 diabetes and obesity later on
Stillbirth

Spell out the problems from the column on the right, with each problem appearing as the VO mentions it

For the mother, it could mean:
A higher likelihood of needing a C-section
A higher risk of developing diabetes in the future
High blood pressure during and after pregnancy

A servicewoman who is pregnant is speaking to her doctor. The doctor hands her some pamphlets: one called Controlling Gestational Diabetes, another called PTSD Support Groups

So, if you’re a servicewomen with PTSD and you’re pregnant, you may be considered high risk because of how the condition can affect both you and your baby.