Sympathetic Pregnancy – Signs your man is on the pregnancy journey with you

Disclaimer: This article does not spread the belief that only men with sympathetic pregnancy are fully devoted to this anticipatory journey. Enjoy!

What would you do if you found out, twenty-two weeks into your pregnancy, that your husband is suffering from morning sickness – or that he’s now averse to the taste of the only food you can now bear to eat? Would you be amused, excited, worried, or irritated at this ironic twist of fate?

Also known as Couvade Syndrome, sympathetic pregnancy occurs when the otherwise healthy partner of an expectant mother experiences pregnancy-related symptoms. While many people – including medical professionals, easily discard the phenomenon, research has shown that the condition which presents in 25% to 52% of men in the United States is, in fact, more common than it is given credit for.

This is most likely rooted in the view that sympathetic pregnancy is laden with a lot of controversies. For instance, the thought that a man exhibits pregnancy symptoms bears the burden of psychological theories – which are inconsistent with scientific fact.

Couvade syndrome even has some cultural undertones – having originated from an ancient Egyptian tradition in which an expectant father undergoes a ritual of labour during which he ‘takes to his bed, and undergoes periods of fasting and purification, and the observance of certain taboos’.

There are several causes attributed to sympathetic pregnancy in this regard. According to Wikipedia, some of them include ‘anxiety, pseudo-sibling rivalry, identification with the fetus, ambivalence about fatherhood, or parturition envy’.

For many medical professionals, these causes are enough to disregard the condition because, in all honesty, there’s hardly any dad who’d admit to feeling a tinge of envy or jealousy towards their unborn child.

Although sympathetic pregnancy may not be given the much-deserved attention, one thing stands true – that the journey to becoming a parent can be emotional. However, this is where many people put a boundary, forgetting that the expectant father too (in this case – who is invested in the whole process) is also on the journey to parenthood.

Some of the symptoms of Sympathetic Pregnancy include:

Nausea
Bloating
Back Pain
Mood Swings
Headache
Toothache
Acne
Diarrhoea
Weight Gain
Vomiting
Abdominal Pain
Swollen breasts
Urinary or genital irritation
Respiratory problems (difficulty breathing)
Cravings (or changes in appetite)
Insomnia, and
Sensations of fetal movement

While this list is by no means exhaustive – just as it is with the symptoms that women in pregnancy experience, there is no clear-cut criteria for diagnosing sympathetic pregnancy.

At this point, we must state that the Couvade Syndrome is distinct from ‘Phantom Pregnancy’ in which a woman who is not pregnant exhibits symptoms such as amenorrhea, nausea and abdominal swelling. To say the least, both conditions are far from what is normally obtainable.

If you’re in doubt, check out the real-life experiences of these men.

Since there is no definite route to diagnosis, patients of the Couvade Syndrome have to fall back on the available solutions for women who are truly pregnant. Information from your regular pre-natal classes can help a great deal. From maintaining a healthy diet to keeping an exercise regimen and avoiding potential stressors, the symptoms can be alleviated. (As an aside, keeping up with these activities together can be a great avenue for you both to bond as you await the arrival of your baby. When life gives you lemons…yeah?)

Till date, the subject of Couvade Syndrome remains debatable because the general perception is that men and pregnancy are an impossible combination. Yet, it is vital to keep ourselves educated on how best to help them if it occurs. More importantly, believing them and showing empathy towards men who suffer these symptoms is something that should be our priority. After all, they never see it coming.

We don’t know about you, but from where we stand, it’d totally be amusing to get men to walk in our shoes if only it’s just this once! Lol.