Can My Mom Get My Pregnancy Symptoms

A couple of expecting parents both wake up with nausea Couvade syndrome is a condition in which men with significant partners begin to experience symptoms of pregnancy. The causes of Couvade syndrome aren't fully understood, though several theories exist. This condition has not been recognized every bit either a medical or mental health effect.

What Are Sympathy Pregnancies?

A sympathy pregnancy occurs when a pregnant woman'south partner experiences pregnancy symptoms. Called Couvade syndrome when information technology occurs in men, it might also be referred to as pregnant dad syndrome, male pregnancy experience, or sympathetic pregnancy.

Though symptoms can vary, they usually involve some combination of the following:

Gastrointestinal issues like nausea, stomach hurting, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation
Heartburn
Back pain, leg cramps
Changes in ambition, weight gain
Toothache
Respiratory issues
Problems with urination or genital discomfort
Symptoms of anxiety or depression
Restlessness, sleeplessness, other changes in sleep habits
Decreased libido

Symptoms of this condition unremarkably appear in the first trimester, around the third month of pregnancy. They improve temporarily during the second trimester, in well-nigh cases, and render in the third trimester. In one case the baby is born, symptoms typically disappear.

Sympathy Pregnancy vs. Phantom Pregnancy

A similar condition called pseudocyesis, or phantom pregnancy, might exist confused with Couvade syndrome. However, pseudocyesis has been recognized as a mental health issue. It'due south listed in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) every bit a somatic symptom disorder.

Pseudocyesis, a somewhat rare condition, occurs more than commonly in Africa than in Europe or America. Women with this condition get convinced they are significant when they are not. They may show pregnancy symptoms such every bit:

Swollen breasts and stomach
Light periods or no periods at all
Morn sickness
Feeling fetal movement
Labor pains at estimated due date (this only happens in i% of cases)

Research has suggested several potential causes for phantom pregnancies. Some cases may result from a strong want to become pregnant, hence why information technology occurs more commonly amid couples experiencing infertility. Other cases may occur due to an intense fear of condign pregnant. Some studies have suggested pseudocyesis may develop within the context of depression and its accompanying endocrine changes.

What Causes Couvade Syndrome?

A number of theories attempt to explicate how Couvade syndrome develops. One or more than of these factors may contribute to the occurrence of Couvade syndrome, though medical experts still don't know why some men develop the condition.

Somatization

Somatic symptoms are real physical symptoms that outcome from emotional distress. Information technology'southward common for new parents to feel anxiety or stress about the birth of their child, no matter how excited or happy they experience. It's believed that feelings of anxiety or stress may lead to somatic symptoms resembling those of pregnancy.

Becoming a parent likewise marks a change in an adult'due south role in society. This can also pb to feelings of stress and feet, whether a person realizes it or non. Researchers have suggested some men manifest pregnancy symptoms every bit a way of unconsciously dealing with how they feel about their new responsibilities and the changes they'll experience.

Changes in hormone levels

Some research has shown men whose partners are pregnant may feel hormone changes, such every bit decreased testosterone and increased estradiol. It'south possible these hormonal changes could contribute to many symptoms of Couvade syndrome.

Feelings of zipper

Men who are more involved with a partner's pregnancy and have more than fetal interest (listening to the heartbeat, feeling movement, and so on) may be more likely to experience pregnancy symptoms. Participating in pregnancy-related events and being involved in childbirth preparations may lead some men to feel closer to their unborn kid and identify more strongly with the role of father. This may atomic number 82 to sympathy pregnancy symptoms, according to some experts.

Psychosocial causes

Some doctors believe Couvade syndrome relates to mental health. Mutual explanations for symptoms include:

Envy of a partner's ability to become significant and give nascence
Guilt over getting their partner pregnant
A sense of rivalry regarding the role of parenthood

Notwithstanding, these are merely potential theories, and none have been proven through research.

How Common Is Couvade Syndrome?

Men all over the world feel Couvade syndrome. Studies have found varying rates in unlike parts of the world, but the virtually recent statistics suggest Couvade syndrome occurs in about 25% to 52% of men in the United States who have significant partners. Though Couvade syndrome appears fairly mutual, studies on the condition to date take focused on the male partners of women who are meaning. Very little research has looked at Couvade syndrome in LGBTQ+ couples.

Men all over the globe feel Couvade syndrome.While it'due south possible to experience severe symptoms, many have only a few balmy symptoms. Since symptoms disappear afterward childbirth in most all cases, this condition could go more often than not unnoticed. But some men may feel dislocated, concerned, or otherwise distressed well-nigh their symptoms. Health care professionals have constitute it tin help to briefly explain the condition to men who experience distress and let them know Couvade syndrome isn't unusual. Information technology may also be reassuring to know Couvade syndrome is often described as a reaction to the changes pregnancy and parenthood bring, not a sign of a mental health upshot or other concern.

Can Couvade Syndrome Be Treated?

Considering symptoms resolve on their ain and don't generally pose a threat or cause harm, there'due south no specific handling recommended for men who have Couvade syndrome. Nevertheless, there are several strategies that tin can help ease symptoms.

Some men discover meditation, yoga, and similar approaches aid them experience more relaxed. Therapy may help people who experience depression or feet symptoms every bit office of Couvade syndrome. It can also treat preexisting diagnoses which take been exacerbated by stress.

Medication, including herbal remedies, can assistance treat physical symptoms like nausea or pain. Some men might experience sympathy labor pains, which medication tin likewise help with.

Recollect that you aren't alone. If yous're struggling with your feelings almost parenthood, or experiencing symptoms you lot don't understand, a trained therapist can help you work through them. Reach out today!

References:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical transmission of mental disorders, 5th edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association. 327.
Brennan, A., Ayers, S., Ahmed, H., & Marshall-Lucette, Due south. (2007). A critical review of the Couvade syndrome: The meaning male. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 25(iii), 173-189. Retrieved from http://psycnet.apa.org/record/2007-11728-002
Devi, A. 1000., & Chanu, M. P. (2015). Couvade syndrome. International Journal of Nursing Education and Research, iii(3). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Akoijam_Devi2/publication/286313694_7_IJNER_165_–28-05-2015DE/links/5667b26c08aea62726ee986a/7-IJNER-165–28-05-2015DE.pdf
Hall-Flavin, D. K. (2016, August 25). What tin you tell me about couvade? Can men really experience sympathetic pregnancy symptoms? Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/salubrious-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-calendar week/expert-answers/couvade-syndrome/faq-20058047
Ibekwe, P. C., & Achor, J. U. (2008). Psychosocial and cultural aspects of pseudocyesis. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 50(two). Retrieved from https://world wide web.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738334
Klein, H. (1991). Couvade syndrome: Male counterpart to pregnancy. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 21(1), 57-69. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2066258
Piechowski-Jozwiak, B., & Bogousslavsky, J. (2018). Couvade syndrome – custom, beliefs, or disease? Frontiers of Neurology and Neuroscience, 42(i), 51-58. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29151091
Tarín, J. J., Hermenegildo, C., García-Pérez, M. A., & Cano, A. (2013). Endocrinology and physiology of pseudocyesis. Reproductive Biological science and Endocrinology, 11(39). Retrieved from https://rbej.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1477-7827-eleven-39

The preceding commodity was solely written by the author named above. Any views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns most the preceding article can exist directed to the author or posted as a annotate below.

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