I'm pregnant, what's your excuse?

Yes, there is such a thing as the "sympathetic pregnancy". It even has a name - Couvade Syndrome and, in short, it's when your Baby Daddy or partner begins to mirror your symptoms (minus the fast growing bundle of joy in your belly).

If Couvade Syndrome was a factor in mine and Baby Daddy Nick's relationship, it only presented itself in the form of his expanding belly, which seemed to be growing as fast as mine. Although, that simply could have been due to my sickening cravings for cheeseburgers and ice cream and his unfathomable support in "eating what I eat" (and finishing off what I couldn't manage). It probably also had a little to do with him now drinking his beer and mine.

But isn't it interesting? The term Couvade Syndrome (stemming from the French verb couver, meaning to "brood") originated from ancient rituals carried out by fathers during the mother's labour and birth of their children such as avoiding certain foods, knives or other sharp objects and climbing into bed in a specially built hut to imitate the pains of childbirth. Fathers of an ancient tribe in Mexico even had to sit in the rafters above their wives during labour with a cord tied around their testicles - with every contraction the wife would pull on the cord. Let's all be thankful that some customs are left in the olden days where they belong.

These rituals were carried out to strengthen the bond between father and child, cope with the anxiety of watching the mother in labour and also allow the father to easier guide the child into the world by strengthening his connection with supernatural beings. These rituals no longer take place in the modern world, but the syndrome has carried through into our times with a new meaning.  

Rupert Taylor writes that Couvade Syndrome is actually quite common and 'symptoms' can range from swollen stomachs and food cravings (I'm positive these two are interrelated) to cramps, fatigue, mood swings and even morning sickness. 

The syndrome isn't medically proven, but there's no doubt that it does exist. Dr Arthur Brennan of St. George's University (who Taylor cites in his article) believes it may be linked to changes in hormones - perhaps an unconscious psychological longing to journey through pregnancy along with their Baby Mamas? - and says ".... these symptoms are involuntary. Often men haven't got a clue about what's happening to them."

And who said men weren't complex creatures? They suffer the ups and downs of the baby bump too. The sympathetic pregnancy.... what's next? Sympathy PMS? I hope not, there's only room for one pre-menstrual ogre to rear it's ugly head in our household.


Question for the masses: Did your Baby Daddy/partner suffer from Couvade Syndrome? Did their belly expand, their moods jump off the richter scale and their cravings turn from chips and beer to gherkins and ice cream? Let me know!