When you're pregnant, even overhearing people complain about their pain or discomfort can be triggering.
Oh Susan, you're tired? Try sleeping with a bowling ball attached to you!
And when that person is your partner, the rage that fills you is nearly inexplicable. But what if we told you your partner is actually feeling your pain, quite literally? One BuzzFeed writer discovered that sympathetic pregnancy pains were real after investigating when a friend told her he experienced morning sickness alongside his pregnant wife.
BuzzFeed asked professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine Mary Jane Minkin, MD if it was real...
… and it turns out, it is. So real, it even has a named: Couvade syndrome.
Minkin told BuzzFeed it was observed in partners since "ancient times."
"…partners develop what are traditionally pregnancy-related symptoms, such as morning sickness. There is even medical literature describing it dated as far back as 72 years ago."
And it's also fairly common.
Scientific American estimated Couvade syndrome to affect between 20-80 percent of expectant fathers. The men experience everything from morning sickness to back pain.
So why does it happen?
Apparently experts feel it could be a myriad of things. One theory suggests that some partners are jealous they cannot carry. Another says that partners may feel immense guilt for being part of the reason why their actually pregnant partner is uncomfortable.
And it isn't even just limited to partners! Siblings and even dogs can feel these empathy pains too.
Mikin suggested anyone experiencing symptoms should seek counseling as treatment.
And ladies, try not to be too harsh on them.
