Expectant fathers sharing their partner's pregnancy: What is Couvade syndrome?

Some expectant fathers may exhibit symptoms similar to the emotional and physical changes their partners experience during the pregnancy process. These symptoms can manifest physically throughout the pregnancy or during childbirth, or even during both periods. This condition, known as "Couvade Syndrome," can sometimes appear in a way that is difficult to notice from the outside or may seem like a genuine mental disorder. Psychiatry Specialist Dr. Nehir Kürklü provided detailed information about this syndrome, stating that expectant fathers experience pregnancy symptoms alongside their partners.

PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS EXPERIENCED TOGETHER

Men may begin to show similar physical symptoms shortly after their partners become pregnant. These symptoms can generally manifest as complaints such as stomach and intestinal problems, abdominal growth, appetite changes, sensitivity to smells, back pain, leg cramps, fatigue, sleep disturbances, toothaches, skin rashes, fainting, and weight gain. This condition is called "Couvade Syndrome." In addition to physical symptoms, anxiety, depression, stress, irritability, mood swings, and concerns about body integrity may also emerge.

SYMPTOMS APPEAR IN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS OF PREGNANCY

While "Couvade Syndrome" sometimes runs so mildly that it cannot be observed from the outside, at other times it can appear as a serious mental disorder. In its simplest form, this syndrome, which emerges as men experiencing pregnancy symptoms along with their partners, can manifest at more advanced levels with symptoms such as unexplained headaches, irritability, tension, restlessness, weight gain, and gas pains. These symptoms usually begin in the first trimester of pregnancy, increase in the second trimester, and continue until the birth process.

THE IMPACT OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS

"Couvade Syndrome" is observed more frequently in expectant fathers with high anxiety levels, those of Black race, and those with a low socioeconomic status. Furthermore, other social and emotional factors that may be effective in the emergence of this syndrome include situations such as the expectant father being abandoned by his own father at an early age, unplanned pregnancy, low education level, lack of economic security, and marital discord.

THE MAN INTEGRATES WITH HIS PARTNER

"Couvade syndrome" is considered an expression of men experiencing pregnancy and their partner's feelings. This syndrome is an indicator of the man's integration with his pregnant partner. It is estimated that some men are more prone to the syndrome than others. For example, if the woman or man has previously experienced infertility or has adopted, the predisposition to this syndrome increases.

SYMPTOMS VARY

Symptoms of "Couvade Syndrome" seen in expectant fathers can appear at any time from the third month of pregnancy onwards. In rare cases, these symptoms may even begin to appear before men realize their partners are pregnant. Initially, symptoms are usually mild and decrease over time; however, they often intensify again in the last three months of pregnancy, just before birth, or during the birth process.

ASSISTANCE FROM CARE PERSONNEL IS NECESSARY

Research conducted on couples expecting a baby shows that men who attend family education classes participate in the birth process with a more positive psychological state, which in turn strengthens family relationships. Nurses, who play a critical role in prenatal care, should adopt a holistic approach to the family. Necessary care and educational support should be provided to help families adapt to these physical and psychosocial changes throughout the pregnancy process, and they should be guided accordingly.