Couvade Syndrome, a.k.a., the Sympathetic Pregnancy

Rest easy, moms-to-be -- you may not be as alone in your pregnancy experience as you think! Not unlike the Ahhnold’s performance in Junior, many men experience symptoms of pregnancy along with their partner. While the men themselves are of course not pregnant, the expectant fathers experience somatic symptoms during the pregnancy. This condition is known as Couvade Syndrome, or a sympathetic pregnancy.

Moms-to-be, you can help your partner deal with these very confusing symptoms. We all know that the men in our lives aren’t always willing to come forward with things that confuse and, dare I say, scare them. So, follow these guidelines and enjoy the bond the two of you are forming.

• Listen to him -- don’t pooh-pooh his symptoms, and allow him to vocalize his fears and concerns. You don’t have to solve the problem, just be there as a sounding board.
• Give him room -- sometimes men deal best with confusing situations when they have space to regroup -- this means they may feel distant at times. Rest assured, he’s likely just sorting through things in his own mind.
• Involve him -- take childbirth classes together. Have him attend your doctor’s visits. Have dates. Spending time together, both involved in baby issues and just having fun, will bring the two of you closer together and help him be better prepared to handle everything he’s dealing with.
• Develop a birth plan -- this means develop one for each of you. Share your vision of the birth, but allow him room to do the same. He may want to jump right in there and be a cord-cutting type of dad, or he may be more comfortable standing by you, being your coach.

Remember, he’s not trying to steal your thunder -- although no man can ever fully understand everything going on with you during your pregnancy, neither can you understand everything he is experiencing. Allow him room to have his own fears and concerns, and consider it a compliment if he experiences a sympathetic pregnancy -- it just means he’s really that much more sympathetic to your situation.