Sympathetic Pregnancy
   Also known as Couvade Syndrome is a condition where a male partner of an expectant mother experiences pregnancy related symptoms. These symptoms can be physical; Nausea, Heartburn, Abdominal pain, Respiratory problems, Backaches, Minor weight gain, Acne and Psychological; changes in sleeping patterns, depression, reduced libido, restlessness, anxiety and worry.
According to psychologists it can be caused by anxiety, pseudo-sibling rivalry, identification with the fetus, ambivalence about fatherhood; pregnancy causes the male counterpart to experience simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings and uncertainty as to which approach to follow. It can also be attributed to hormonal shifts due to exposure to the expectant mother. Sympathetic pregnancy can occur during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy.

In most pregnancy instances more attention is given to the expectant mother and the expectant fathers are left out yet they are also affected by the pregnancy. The expectant father encounters changes because of the pregnancy, these range from economical (taking charge of finances like medical bills and others), behavioral (adjusting schedules and activities for the mother's and baby's comfort), psychological (anxiety, worry and stress because of the anticipated changes and how to be a good father).  Becoming a new father is exciting, emotional and stressful, expectant fathers should prepare for fatherhood to manage the stress that comes with pregnancy changes. Parents, peers and friends need to give support to the father as well because they are also vulnerable just like the expectant mothers. Social support is vital for expectant fathers, so that they do not feel alone or left out in the birth process.