Lesley,
Hormones have effects on neurotransmitters (brain chemicals that allow
the transmission of messages from one nerve to another, and are altered
in depression). Our ILCA affilliate had a wonderful presentation on
pregnancy and mood disorders, and the psychiatrist speaker said that many
women are depressed during pregnancy as well as postpartum. She is
studying psychotherapeutic (talk-therapy) treatment of pregnant women,
and finding it effective in combatting their depression even after the
baby is born.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC NYC [log in to unmask]