Some of the exchange of ideas that has been offered above would possibly make for an interesting thread in its own right. Maybe I will start such a thread. I hope those above with strong, but differing, ideas will participate. This is on the frontier of psychological research. There is room for disagreement. Equally smart and honest people can have different ideas.

In the way I described psychiatrists, there is room for being misled. I do not think that any good psychiatrist would say that the only treatment for depression is medication. Most would probably recommend some form of talk therapy. However, most would refer you to someone else for this therapy. Doctors specializing in psychiatry do not usually undergo psychoanalysis or learn how to conduct it themselves. (Not anymore.) Here is some evidence of that:DO all US Psychiatrists undergo analysis? [Archive] - Student Doctor Network Forums

Of course, we would hope that someone who is as highly educated, and carries as much responsibility, as a psychiatrist is, and does, would be able to offer a person some sage advice. I'm sure most can, and do. What I am saying is that the thing a psychiatrist is specially trained to do is to diagnose disease and prescribe medical treatments. A doctor is not inherently more wise about how to live a successful life in this difficult world than the butcher, baker, or candlestick maker.

I've worked in a number of psychiatric facilities. Doctors mainly prescribe meds. That is, increasingly, all that insurance companies will pay them for. I was hospitalized for depression a year ago. The doctor who attended me in the hospital said he would discuss nothing with me other than medication adjustment. That was a little cold to hear, but it is what is becoming more and more commonly the practice. Here is a link to support that: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/06/he...anted=all&_r=0

Since the person starting this thread has quite a long history of being treated for depression, I would suggest that it might be worthwhile to see a good psychologist - even just for 2 or 3 visits. The pdoc, or primary care doctor, would be the best place to start for a reference. Getting into therapy is probably a good idea. The idea of having a baby should be brought up at the next doctor's appointment. I suspect the doctor would, indeed, have some feedback worth hearing.