a.k.a. I did this to you? You did this to me.
Officially speaking, there is no such thing as sympathy pains. Unofficially, it is officially called Couvade syndrome. Basically, you are so emotionally in tune with your lady that you feel her pain. Love hurts. Get over it. No one has sympathy for your sympathy pains. And no one is going to either. You are on your own for this one.
But what exactly is going on with this not an actual thing thing that you are actually experiencing? Well, according to the Mayo Clinic, "Couvade syndrome is a term used to describe a situation in which an otherwise healthy man — whose partner is expecting a baby — experiences pregnancy-related symptoms. While some research suggests that Couvade syndrome (sympathetic pregnancy) is common, it isn't a recognized mental illness or disease. Further studies are needed to determine whether Couvade syndrome is a physical condition with psychological causes." So, basically you are going mental. Mental for your lady that is.
And what is all this talk of this happening to men? Well, it does happen to women too. Couvade syndrome is an equal opportunity employer. So, sisters and same sex couples are included in this. But, I only have experience from the male perspective and that is what I will stick to.
But what exactly is going on with this not an actual thing thing that you are actually experiencing? Well, according to the Mayo Clinic, "Couvade syndrome is a term used to describe a situation in which an otherwise healthy man — whose partner is expecting a baby — experiences pregnancy-related symptoms. While some research suggests that Couvade syndrome (sympathetic pregnancy) is common, it isn't a recognized mental illness or disease. Further studies are needed to determine whether Couvade syndrome is a physical condition with psychological causes." So, basically you are going mental. Mental for your lady that is.
And what is all this talk of this happening to men? Well, it does happen to women too. Couvade syndrome is an equal opportunity employer. So, sisters and same sex couples are included in this. But, I only have experience from the male perspective and that is what I will stick to.
Saying it doesn't officially exist doesn't change the fact that I seem to have it to some extent. The symptoms reported as being related to Couvade syndrome are many. They "vary widely and typically occur only during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. Physical symptoms may include nausea, heartburn, abdominal pain, bloating, appetite changes, respiratory problems, toothaches, leg cramps, backaches, and urinary or genital irritations. Psychological symptoms that may be related to Couvade syndrome include changes in sleeping patterns, anxiety, depression, reduced libido and restlessness".
I have experienced several of them. Thankfully, she has not had any morning sickness. But, the symptoms I have experienced seem to be subsiding now that we are in the second trimester. Some of the more notable would be the back pains and toothaches. I can't seem to stand for too long before I start getting the back pain. And, my teeth seem to be more sensitive. My gums are a bit tender. It is like my body is changing due to a scientific experiment. It is almost like a movie I saw once.
I have experienced several of them. Thankfully, she has not had any morning sickness. But, the symptoms I have experienced seem to be subsiding now that we are in the second trimester. Some of the more notable would be the back pains and toothaches. I can't seem to stand for too long before I start getting the back pain. And, my teeth seem to be more sensitive. My gums are a bit tender. It is like my body is changing due to a scientific experiment. It is almost like a movie I saw once.
Except for the movie made it comical with a hint of nobility. But in reality, people find it to be creepy and unsettling just like this picture.
I am also so sympathetic to my lady that I am gaining weight right along with her. In fact, I think it is a race to see who is going to gain more. **SPOILER** It's me by a lot. It is funny because it isn't like I really changed the way I eat or that I do less physical activity. You can't do less than nothing. If anything, I am eating less to make sure she has enough food. But, for some reason I am gaining. Unfortunately, this happens to a lot of men. The drawback is that women tend to drop the weight faster. On the bright side, if you feel the need to be in shape, round is technically a shape.
I guess I should be happy I am not getting the cravings. My lady hasn't had any desires for odd food cravings, not that she has shared with me anyway. I really don't think anyone should eat dirt or burnt paper. But then again, I am not a doctor. And maybe there are some recipes out there for mud pies and dirt brownies that will knock your socks off. Who knows? Actually, I am going to Google it real quick. I suspect I will most likely just find recipes for potting soil.
Hmmmm. I was mostly right. However, it turns out there is a A French restaurant named Ne Quittez Pas in Tokyo that will give you a multiple course meal including things like dirt soup, salad with dirt dressing, dirt risotto, and many other dirt infused dishes. And they will feed it to you for around $110. That better be some good dirt. Pregnant women of the world can thank the french once again for this culinary breakthrough.
Anyway, my Couvade fatigue is kicking in so I will wrap this up. Gentlemen, it is not a bad thing to suffer from a condition that does not exist except for when it does. It shows your lady how much you really care. The rest of the world is going to look at you as if you were as big of a pansy as a little pregnant Asian guy (or what I think is an Asian guy) in a yellow jumper doing leg lifts in a Japanese nursery type setting.
Hmmmm. I was mostly right. However, it turns out there is a A French restaurant named Ne Quittez Pas in Tokyo that will give you a multiple course meal including things like dirt soup, salad with dirt dressing, dirt risotto, and many other dirt infused dishes. And they will feed it to you for around $110. That better be some good dirt. Pregnant women of the world can thank the french once again for this culinary breakthrough.
Anyway, my Couvade fatigue is kicking in so I will wrap this up. Gentlemen, it is not a bad thing to suffer from a condition that does not exist except for when it does. It shows your lady how much you really care. The rest of the world is going to look at you as if you were as big of a pansy as a little pregnant Asian guy (or what I think is an Asian guy) in a yellow jumper doing leg lifts in a Japanese nursery type setting.
But don't let that get inside your head. In all honesty, what you are experiencing is very noble. And manly. Very, very manly. Like pregnant prize fighter manly.
You might have made it through the first trimester, but the third is just around the corner. The symptoms are supposed to start up again. I fear they will be worse. Just hope that you don't get sympathy labor pains. And more importantly, pray that you don't start lactating.