Are pregnancy symptoms in men real? Here’s all you need to know about Couvade Syndrome

Pregnancy isn’t always about the expecting mom and the unborn infant. Dads also have their share of stress, anxiety (and happiness too!) and pregnancy symptoms in this entire scheme of things. Read on to know more.

By: Sanyukta Baijal | | Updated: March 17, 2020 6:32 pm

Tags: pregnancy stress Pregnancy symptoms

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Your wife is expecting. Quite naturally, she is going through all that a pregnant woman goes through: Missing periods, constipation, headache, cramps, flatulence, troubled breathing, anxiety, poor sleep and much more. But, are you also experiencing quite a few of them along with your wife? Well then, you are probably going through what is known as Couvade syndrome in the medical fraternity. Though a large-scale and concrete empirical research is yet to be done, some studies suggest facts and figures about men pregnancy symptoms in different parts of the world. Those numbers are not negligible for sure. Also Read - Stress in expecting mothers impact baby: Herbs to relieve stress during pregnancy

WHAT IS COUVADE SYNDROME?

The condition which makes an expecting dads experience pregnancy-like symptoms is known as Couvade Syndrome. Also Read - Pregnancy brain: Know all about this mental fog that affects 80% of pregnant women

SYMPTOMS OF COUVADE SYNDROME

Couvade syndrome has a wide range of symptoms including physical and psychological manifestations. The physical symptoms are nausea, heartburn, abdominal pain or bloating, breathing issues, leg cramps, backaches, genital irritation and oddly, toothaches. The psychological symptoms include reduced libido, restlessness, anxiety and depression. Also Read - Stress during pregnancy is bad for both mom and baby; these tips may help ease discomfort

WHAT CAUSES COUVADE SYNDROME?

There are many theories that explain the origin of this syndrome. However, none of it is proved, yet. Actually, there could be multiple factors contributing to the pregnancy-like symptoms experienced by dads-to-be.

Strong attachment with the partner

When a man is too attached with his partner, his involvement with the process of pregnancy increases. He enjoys listening to the heartbeat of the growing baby inside the mother’s womb, he loves to feel the movement of the baby, he participates in the preparations of childbirth, talks to the gynaecologist frequently to check his wife’s and baby’s condition, so on and so forth. All these strengthen his bonding not only with the would-be-mom, but also with the unborn baby. The influence of his impending role of fatherhood looms large on him. This may contribute to sympathy or empathy pregnancy symptoms.

Jealousy

According to one school of thought, the symptoms could manifest out of a man’s jealousy about his inability to conceive.

Guilt

An expecting father may also feel guilty and responsible for the physical and psychological stress his pregnant partner is going through. This could be one of the reasons behind the manifestations of couvade syndrome.

Changes in hormone levels

The syndrome also appears to have some association with hormone fluctuations in men which includes uncertain testosterone levels during their partner’s pregnancy period.

How to deal with it

According to psychologists, Couvade-related symptoms are mostly similar to postpartum depression, because both the dad-to-be (especially the first-timers) and the mom-to-be are experiencing similar stressors like sleep deprivation. Add to this the fact that both are overwhelmed by an immense, new-found sense of responsibility. So, it is important for them to share their experiences with each other. Opening up to his wife can help a man heal from the manifestation of couvade syndrome. The same applies to women as well. However, talking alone may not help. Consider consulting a psychologist in severe conditions.

Published : March 17, 2020 5:58 pm | Updated:March 17, 2020 6:32 pm

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