Guys can’t get pregnant — right? While that’s true, sometimes they might feel pregnant. Strange as it may seem, some fathers-to-be experience pregnancy symptoms like nausea, indigestion, appetite changes, weight gain, constipation, headaches and those crazy mood swings.
Called couvade or couvade syndrome (from the French word couver, meaning “to hatch”), these are essentially “sympathetic pregnancy” symptoms that can seem very real. Some studies suggest that about 20 percent of expectant fathers experience some degree of couvade — and other researchers report an even higher percentage.
What causes it? Explanations vary, but there is not much evidence-based information about it yet. Some theories suggest that couvade results from the father’s desire (conscious or unconscious) to identify with his mate, feelings of jealousy or displacement, fears of facing parenthood and providing for a family… or just plain stress.
“Because a couple may experience lifestyle changes together, the cravings and increased appetite of a pregnant wife may pave the way for her husband’s weight gain, heartburn and indigestion,” says an article in Scientific American Mind (June/July 2006). The story goes on to add, “Changes in sexual activity, shifts in social priorities, time off work, or the arrival of a mother-in-law for a potentially stressful extended visit may also contribute.”
The good news is that, according to one study, men experiencing couvade scored higher on scales measuring paternal-role preparation than men not experiencing those symptoms. (Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology Neonatal Nursing, 1989 Nov/Dec;18(6).)
Symptoms of couvade typically appear toward the end of the first trimester and again near to term. Rest assured: Only one of you will actually deliver, and birth is the ultimate “cure” for couvade.
Here’s another article that may be helpful: “Pregnant” dads?
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I am only 10 weeks and 4 days pregnant and my boyfriend, is complaining that he is eating more, gaining weight and feeling stressed out. This article i believe is so true
Comment by christina — April 22, 2009 #
Has anyone been able to find out the sex of their baby sooner then the usual twenty weeks? Btw how about the name Josh for a boy?
Comment by Pregnancy — May 1, 2009 #
i think im pregnant but im not feeling naseuated my husband is but my chest is always sore and my veins are poping out bad dey feel bigger and heavier am i pregnant and can my husband be getting some of my symptoms i cry for nothing…..
Comment by Julie — May 6, 2009 #
My baby’s daddy still does not want to accept this! I had no symptoms at all… but in his case, he is feeling this pregnancy more than me… he wouldn’t listen to me and has gone to every doctor… you can think of, with no explanation of this weird sickness (couvade syndrome) the bad news is that it wont stop until our baby is born… besides, the weight gain and the weird cravings, his stressed neck and backaches are driven me nuts.
oh well, thank god he has great medical insurance and lots of sickdays left! lol… hopefuy he gets its all because he’s pregnant
Comment by angie — August 13, 2009 #
I’m really curious about this article, because i’ve been experiencing 5 of the above symptoms…. my girlfriend is 2 weeks late, and i’m 6k miles away, we “tried” a month ago while i was on my leave. But 3 HP tests have come back negative… any advice?
Comment by Tom — December 13, 2009 #
I’m really curious about showing pregnancy symptoms. My fiance and I are very serious, we want children, I am experiencing vomiting often, back-aches, depression, and I also have trouble going a second round or staying aroused. Its strange because we are not sure if she is pregnant or not, she had last months period, and all the pregnancy tests are negative, but they say that a women can still get her period when she is pregnant. If anyone has any advise or answers, can you please email us. thank you.
Comment by Will — February 8, 2010 #