Dad opens up on his phantom pregnancy symptoms – and how wife makes fun of him

Male pregnancy symptoms might sound like a myth, but for some men they are very real.

One dad has opened up about the night terrors he experienced during his wife’s pregnancy – and confesses that his wife still makes fun of him about it.

"I’m thankful I didn’t get male postnatal depression as well," Vaishag Vijay told Kidspot.

The proud dad of a five-month-old baby said he first started to notice symptoms during his wife’s second trimester, and found himself sleepwalking and having very vivid dreams – when he had never remembered his dreams before.

He said the worst occurrence was when he dreamt that he was lying in bed when the ceiling caved and millions of spiders poured through.

Although his symptoms have passed, he said his partner still brings up his phantom pregnancy from time to time.

"[My wife] Shivi still makes fun of my phantom pregnancy symptoms, though she can’t deny it did freak her out few times in the middle of the night," he said.

Vaishag was probably suffering from Couvade syndrome, which is also known as a sympathetic pregnancy.

Men can have similar symptoms as expectant mums.

These include minor weight gain, altered hormone levels, morning nausea, and disturbed sleep patterns – which is exactly what Vaishag had.

Research indicates the condition’s existence – but exactly how common it is is still unkown, however there are lots of different theories about why some men get it.

"I guess until the cause is determined it’s not going to be taken too seriously. If all dads got it, it would be more recognised," Vijay said.

"It’s a little annoying that these issues are not acknowledged by most people, including health professionals – but they are a drop in the ocean compared to the struggles the mother has to go through."

Read More

Pregnancy – everything you need to know

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Source: Read Full Article