What the father feels during pregnancy (and what to do)

During pregnancy, men may experience some symptoms similar to women, such as morning sickness, urgency to urinate, dizziness or weight gain, for example, especially in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy.

This can happen when the father shows great empathy and compassion for the pregnant woman, somatizing the symptoms of pregnancy, this situation being known as Couvade syndrome. Understand what Couvade syndrome is.

Furthermore, the father may also be concerned about the health of the woman and the baby and, despite not showing it in the same way, he may also present anxiety, fear and insecurity regarding the future and what his relationship will be like with the woman and the baby he has. is coming.

Main changes in men during pregnancy

The main changes that can affect men during pregnancy are:

1. Having the same pregnancy symptoms as the woman

Some men may develop Couvade syndrome during pregnancy, which is characterized by the father presenting the same symptoms as the pregnant woman, such as morning sickness, dizziness, weight gain, and may even experience pain during the woman’s labor.

The exact cause of Couvade syndrome is not completely known, but it appears to be related to the expectation of a more participatory role during pregnancy and childbirth, and the changing prospects of parenthood.

These changes do not indicate any health problem, and are not a disease or psychological disorder, but can occur due to empathy and compassion, generating a physical response and symptoms similar to those of pregnant women.

What to do: There’s no need to worry because this just shows how emotionally involved he is with the pregnancy.

2. Desiring more intimate contact

During pregnancy, men may feel more desire for intimate contact, as normal hormonal changes in women during pregnancy can increase blood flow to the pelvic region, making the pregnant woman’s genital region more sensitive and lubricated. .

However, some men may be wary of intimate contact out of concern about hurting the baby.

What to do: intimate contact does not hurt the baby, and the couple can have intimate contact, unless the doctor has recommended avoiding sexual intercourse for health reasons.

This way, if there is no problem, you can enjoy the moments together, and the intimacy, if it is the couple’s desire, and it is important to always maintain a dialogue about how you feel so that there are no errors in communication and, both the man, like women, feel rejected.

3. Being worried

As soon as a man receives the news that he is going to be a father, he is flooded by an avalanche of emotions.

Both in a planned pregnancy and one that happens without waiting, it can cause concern in the father about the future, his role in fatherhood, the responsibility of being a father and having to educate a child, in addition to his role as a man in the relationship.

What to do: plan the future responsibly so you can feel at peace and security. Talking and making plans with your partner is essential for building a new family.

Tips for improving intimacy during pregnancy

Some great tips to improve intimacy and complicity between couples during pregnancy are:

• Always go to prenatal exams together;
• Buy everything necessary for the woman and the baby together;
• Talk daily about what the couple is feeling and the changes that are happening.

This way the man can feel closer to the woman and the baby, making this a special moment for him too. Furthermore, taking photos together showing the growth of your belly can help maintain the memory that this was a special moment and desired by both of you.