PERINATAL DEPRESSION

Perinatal depression is the umbrella term for both prenatal and postpartum depression. No one understands the exact mechanism for perinatal depression; however, it might be that the function of fluid systems in the body become impaired as a result of maturation and delivery of an infant. In particular, the lymphatic system has a few crucial checkpoints - one being the cisterna chyli (see below) - which could become disrupted, displaced, or even destroy throughout the course of pregnancy. For example, during birth, the force exerted to expel a baby (the same kind of force that causes formation of varicose veins), might leave lymphatic vessels and structures like the cisterna chyli damaged. This would impair the movement of lymphatic fluid - especially in the case of the cisterna chyli - upward for circulation and cleaning - causing a fluid imbalance and deterred movement of lipid and protein molecules. This would greatly affect the body’s ability to make hormones, digest food, and much more - leading to the many symptoms of ‘perinatal depression’. The body would then need time to repair itself - which could months or years; however, when the repair is complete (or in cases partially complete) depressive symptoms dissipate… this timeline might plausibly match the infants first 6-18 months.