Expectant fathers suffer pregnancy symptoms.
Fathers-to-be endure cramps, back pain, mood swings, food cravings, morning sickness, extreme tiredness, depression, irritability, fainting and toothache, researchers found.
Some even develop swollen stomachs that look like a “baby bump”. Stomach cramps were the most common complaint. One man told researchers: “My stomach pains were very much like a build-up of a woman’s contraction as she’s giving birth. They started mild and then got stronger and stronger and stronger.”
Authors of the largest study of its kind in Britain say the phenomenon where men suffer sympathy symptoms is called Couvade Syndrome. [story]
Link to Slate article on what fatherhood does to the body and the brain.
Link to Time on the psychology of fatherhood.