Welcoming multiple babies into your family at once is a big deal. The birth of a baby, or two—or more, if you've been blessed with higher-order multiples—is a joyous occasion, but it can also be overwhelming for the new parents who are juggling their newborns.
Sometimes, that overwhelm can lead to anxiety, exhaustion, and extreme sadness, which are all symptoms of postpartum depression, along with doubts about parenthood, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, and thoughts of harming oneself or their babies.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common but serious mental health mood disorder that can affect new mothers and also fathers after their children are born. It's characterized by symptoms that are more intense and last longer than those of "normal baby blues" and it can start during or after pregnancy (symptoms can show up even a year postpartum).
If you're a new parent facing PPD, it can interfere with your daily life and your ability to care for your babies, so it's important to know the symptoms and seek treatment if you need it.
Fortunately, a new medication has been authorized for use to help new parents in Canada.
New medication approved in Canada
In December of 2025, Health Canada approved an oral medication designed to treat moderate to severe postpartum depression in adults following childbirth—a first-of-its-kind treatment designed specifically to address the mood dysregulation thought to be related to the significant hormone fluctuations after childbirth.
Made by Biogen Canada Inc., Zurzuvae is a once-daily, 14-day, oral single course of treatment that offers relief from depressive symptoms as early as Day 3, which is a big step forward from the current standards of PPD care.
Patients in clinical studies saw a significant reduction of symptoms by the end of treatment at Day 15 and had a sustained effect through day 45 compared to the placebo.
Unlike traditional antidepressants, which target serotonin pathways, Zurzuvae modulates the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptors in the brain, whose signaling is involved in the regulation of mood. By enhancing the activity of GABAA, Zurzuvae (also known as zuranolone) can help restore function in the dysregulated parts of the brain causing depressive symptoms.
"A treatment developed specifically for postpartum depression marks an important step forward for maternal mental health," says Dr. Crystal Clark, MD, M.Sc., Canada Research Chair in Reproductive Mental Health & Associate Head of Research, Department of Psychiatry, Women's College Hospital.
"Postpartum depression is often driven by profound hormonal shifts that occur during and after childbirth, and expanding treatment options with a therapy designed to address the impact of these biological changes on mental health addresses a longstanding gap in medical care," Dr. Clark adds. "For postpartum individuals—who are caring for a newborn while managing major hormonal, physiological, and life transitions—Zurzuvae offers a quick-acting, 14-day treatment, and new hope for reducing the debilitating burden of depression and improving family outcomes."
This drug, which has just been authorized for use by Health Canada, has already been approved in the U.S. in 2023 (with coverage through most major insurers), and both the U.K. and the European Union in fall of 2025.
Parents of multiples have a higher risk for PPD
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects up to one in five Canadian women and is the most common complication related to having children. If it's left untreated, this health condition can last for months or even longer and can affect a parent's ability to bond with their babies and have debilitating short- and long-term consequences on both maternal and paternal health, child development, and family well-being.
Parents of twins and higher-order multiples are at a higher risk of developing PPD than those who have a single baby.
Parents of twins and higher-order multiples are at a higher risk of developing PPD than those who have a single baby.
Compared to parents of singletons, this higher risk when you have twins can be caused by increased levels of stress and sleep deprivation (two times the overnight disruptions and wakings if your babies aren't on the same sleep cycle), the physical demands of caring for and splitting both attention and time between two babies (who may not even be in the same building if one graduates from the neonatal intensive care unit and the other has to stay behind until they're cleared to go home), prematurity complications and guilt about related health issues that are out of your control, social isolation related to the difficulty of getting out of the house with two babies, and / or increased financial strain of having two or more babies simultaneously.
According to Science Direct, a study with over a million participants from 138 countries found that twin births were associated with a higher incidence of PPD symptoms than singleton births, and that mothers of twins in the oldest age group reported the greatest burden, with mothers of twins who were 40 years or older being at particularly high risk of developing PPD.
This study also found that first-time mothers reported higher rates of symptoms of postpartum depression than women who had children previously.
When it comes to PPD (AKA paternal postpartum depression) in fathers, there's a higher risk of developing symptoms a little later after their children are born, with signs generally showing up between six and 12 months postpartum.
According to the Mayo Clinic, "fathers who are young, have a history of depression, experience relationship problems, or are struggling financially are most at risk of postpartum depression."
Symptoms of postpartum depression
There's a wide range of symptoms you may experience after welcoming your babies, but you may not experience all of the ones listed below.
The Mayo Clinic lists symptoms of postpartum depression as:
- Depressed mood or severe mood swings
- Crying too much
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Overwhelming tiredness or loss of energy
- Less interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
- Intense irritability and anger
- Fear that you're not a good parent
- Hopelessness
- Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt, or inadequacy
- Reduced ability to think clearly, concentrate, or make decisions
- Restlessness
- Severe anxiety and panic attacks
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your babies
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
Be proactive for your babies
Whether you have one or multiple babies, it's crucial to pay attention to how you're feeling as a parent and recognize if you need additional support.
Track any symptoms you might be experiencing, and be open with your partner, your doctor, and your friends or family members. The best thing you can do for your babies is to be proactive and ask for or accept help when it's offered.
And now that this new drug, Zurzuvae, has been approved for use in adults following childbirth in Canada, there are more ways to address this very common but very serious issue, so you can get back to feeling like yourself and caring for your babies.
Did you or anyone you know suffer with postpartum depression? Were there any signs or symptoms that led to seeking help? Let us know in the Comments section below or connect with us on Instagram to share your thoughts!
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