Can a future dad have the symptoms of pregnancy?

The symptoms in pregnancy in women they are well known, which can start from the first month of gestation.

However, little is said about the fact that future parents also present similar symptoms; which is known as “Couvad Syndrome”.

We tell you a little more about the subject to discover if it is a myth or a reality.

Symptoms of pregnancy in future parents

The symptoms of pregnancy in women are diverse, but they tend to have similarities according to the month of gestation. During the first months there are nausea, changes in appetite and hormonal changes that can impact mood.

In the case of men, the symptoms usually appear during the first and third trimester of pregnancy and even last a few weeks after delivery.

Among the most frequent symptoms detected in future parents are:

Nausea.
Abdominal pain.
Swelling.
Leg cramps.
Back pains.
Changes in sleep habits.
Anxiety.
Decreased libido.

It may interest you: When do the first symptoms of pregnancy begin to be felt?

What is Couvade Syndrome?

Suffering from one or several symptoms in future parents is known as Couvade Syndrome.

This term was coined in 1956 but, despite the time, it is still a syndrome that is little known by medicine and psychology, because it does not appear so regularly and it has even been thought that the geographical aspect and customs they could be involved.

Couvade Syndrome is unusual in that some people have raised the possibility that it is a medical condition, which is completely wrong, since it is not considered a disease by the World Health Organization; however, this does not mean that science does not recognize its veracity.

Various studies have been carried out around the world to better understand what causes these symptoms to appear and why it does not occur in all parents.

These studies have shown that empathy and emotional connection play an important role, in addition to the stress or concern of parents before the arrival of a baby. On the other hand, in the physical aspect, changes have been detected at the hormonal level that could explain some of the symptoms.

As we mentioned, Couvade Syndrome can have a psychological origin, which is directly related to the emotions of the future parents before their partner’s pregnancy.

It is believed that one of the main causes is empathy with your partner, since it has sometimes been found that men with symptoms maintain a greater emotional connection with their partner.

On the other hand, the possibility has also been raised that it is the way in which men show support for their partner, turning the symptoms into another way of telling the mother of their baby: “I’ll accompany you”, “we’re together” , “I’m still here” or “I share your emotion”.

Thus, Couvade Syndrome becomes another way of expressing emotions before an event as important as having a baby with the person you love.

Another key point is stress and anxiety, especially for new parents.

It is known that high levels of stress have repercussions on the body even when you are not expecting a baby. Given this, it is possible that the concern for what is coming generates common symptoms of stress that are assimilated to those of pregnancy.

Although the psychological aspect plays an important role, physiological changes have also been detected that may be linked to the presence of pregnancy symptoms in future parents.

According to specialists, men also present neurohormonal changes during their partner’s pregnancy, such as:

Prolactin increased
increased estrogen
Reduced testosterone levels
Increased cortisol levels (related to stress)

Various studies have suggested that the presence of these changes is due to the fact that the man is also preparing for the arrival of his baby.

In the case of pregnant women, it is known that these hormonal changes are linked to specific survival functions.

Prolactin helps milk production and cortisol allows mom to be alert and can respond quickly and intuitively to baby’s crying.

For parents, the reason for these types of changes is still not clear, but it is thought that it is also linked with the purpose of optimizing baby care.

Do you need to see a doctor?

There is still no clear explanation or reason for the appearance of pregnancy symptoms in future parents; however, there is nothing to worry about.

Relaxation and strategies that reduce anxiety and stress levels are recommended, in addition, talking with your partner about your concerns and feelings can also help to provide peace of mind.