jill,
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So do I understand that there is a balance to be struck --the adoptive parents do not need to supply detailed medical information in writing beyond the form their doctor signs, but in conversation with their homestudy social worker it is feasible to discuss issues such as how we have handled the management of my depression successfully?
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ALWAYS be as honest as possible with your caseworker. ALWAYS. It is much worse to lie about something. The cw will view lying or even lie-by-omission much more negatively than anything in your past. In fact, if you are handling your depression appropriately, that only attests to the fact that you are a strong person who's made it through some life struggles, and will probably be a better parent for it.
I don't know why your agency told you it would be better to have a clean med record, but seeing as how it is an international agency, I can warrant a good guess:
I would bet that the agency told you this not because THEY want you to have a clean record, but b/c many foreign countries do.
I would come straight out and ask your agency if this is why they recommended this.
Regina is quite correct that people who adopt from the US are protected under the ADA law. However, in international adoption, the other country always has its own requirements for adoptive parents, and ADA does not apply. This is why I believe your agency's recommendation was based not on their preference, but on international preference.
Good luck... and BTW, if you do change and go domestic, no, potential bmoms don't have access to your medical history. And even if they did... as a birthmom, I would have APPRECIATED the fact that you have battled depression. It would have been a plus in your favor, in my eyes. (I have also struggled with it, and so has Marie's bfather, so I would have been THRILLED to find someone who knew the warning signs to look for, and how to cope with it, in case Marie ever developed it.)
Good luck!
Nicole