Chemical changes during pregnancy in two genes that are most responsive to estrogen are an indicator of potential postnatal depression.
Postnatal depression affects 10% to 18% of first time mothers, which causes symptoms such as sadness, hopelessness, exhaustion and anxiety that can last up to a year.
This research could potentially lead to routine blood tests for expectant mothers to detect the risk of developing postnatal depression.
Read more at Johns Hopkins University