Ever heard of sympathetic pregnancy, a phenomenon where expectant fathers begin experiencing symptoms typically associated with pregnancy? It is called Couvade syndrome, coming from the French word 'couver', meaning to brood or hatch. Though it may sound unusual, sympathetic pregnancy has been documented in medical literature for decades and is believed to stem from psychological, emotional, and hormonal responses linked to the transition into fatherhood. As public attention turns to high-profile pregnancies, the condition offers a window into how deeply connected partners can be during pregnancy, both emotionally and physically.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and actress Hailee Steinfeld have announced they are expecting their first child together. The news was shared by Steinfeld via her Substack newsletter, featuring a video of the couple with her visible baby bump, where Allen tenderly kissed her stomach and both appeared joyful. Steinfeld wore a sweater reading “mother” in the clip, which also showed the couple holding hands next to a small snowman.
Both Allen and Steinfeld are 29 years old. They married in May 2025 after dating since 2023, and this baby will be their first.
Immediately following the pregnancy announcement, Allen led the Bills in a notable NFL victory over the New England Patriots where he was seen throwing up in the field in the middle of the game. After the game, when a reporter referenced the pregnancy news in relation to his performance, Allen responded calmly, calling himself “very happy and very blessed,” and praised both his team and his wife. His composed media handling was highlighted as a sign of his leadership on and off the field.
Couvade syndrome, also termed sympathetic pregnancy, is a phenomenon where some expectant fathers report physical and emotional symptoms similar to those of their pregnant partners.
These can include:
Appetite changes
Mood swings and anxiety
Sleep disturbances
Abdominal discomfort
Fatigue and gastrointestinal symptoms
The term couvade comes from a French verb meaning “to hatch,” and historically refers to cultural practices in which fathers mimicked labor or postpartum behaviors.
Couvade syndrome is not an official medical diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), nor is it classified as a distinct physiological disease. Rather, most medical experts describe it as a psychosomatic or psycho-emotional response influenced by empathy, stress, and psychological investment in the partner’s pregnancy.
Some research suggests that hormonal changes, such as reduced testosterone or increased stress hormones like cortisol, might contribute to symptoms, although definitive biological mechanisms remain unclear.
Early research found that some expectant fathers reported nausea, altered appetite, and other somatic symptoms at rates higher than control groups without pregnant partners.
Larger surveys indicate that symptoms peak during the first and third trimesters, and often resolve after childbirth.
Symptoms are thought to correlate with increased psychological involvement and stress rather than direct physical causes.
Important: Healthcare providers currently regard couvade syndrome as a benign, non-pathological phenomenon, and not a condition requiring medical treatment unless symptoms severely affect wellbeing.
References
Piechowski-Jozwiak, B., and J. Bogousslavsky. “Couvade Syndrome—Custom, Behavior or Disease?” Frontiers of Neurology and Neuroscience 42 (2018): 51–58. https://doi.org/10.1159/000475686.
Wdowiak, Katarzyna, Anna Maciocha, and Jakub Wąż. “Couvade Syndrome: History and Current Perspectives.” Journal of Psychosexual Health (2025). https://doi.org/10.1177/26318318251343403.
