Pregnancy in men: Couvade syndrome

Abstract

As human reproduction has to been seen not only from the biological (gender) but from the social and anthropological perspective, and as long as paternity joins a very important aspect in men identity, we found essential to review actual and past literature in order to explain symptoms and attitudes experienced by some fathers to be.

Couvade syndrome was first described in the mid-sixties by a group of British authors who tried to analyze some typical pregnancy symptoms observed in fathers to be. These symptoms are heterogeneous and could be difficultly classified, but must of the authors tend to group them in anxiety or somatophorm-like disorders.

In this oral communication, we will explore into the deep causes of this syndrome and its links to the Couvade ritual described in some ancient cultures like the Greek (year 60 B.C.) as well as analyze an actual case report, with the help of the exhaustive revision of the existing literature.

Couvade has to be contemplated as a way to define the new identity of the father to be, and his bond with the newborn, his couple and the society.

Finally, Couvade could be seen as a proactive and constructive preparation of the male to the paternity, out of psycopathology and recognize these comprehensive reactions as a normal and functional part of the reproductive ritual.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.