The term was believed to be first coined by Sir James Young Simpson, a Scottish obstetrician in the 1800s. Simpson also pioneered the use of ether, chloroform, long forceps and acupressure in obstetrics. Couvade, from the French couver meaning "to hatch" affects approximately 10% to 65% of expectant fathers. Symptoms of Couvade Syndrome can occur at anytime, most symptoms will appear during the end of the first trimester and then again at delivery. The symptoms imitate all of the normal symptoms of pregnancy ~ mood swings, fatigue, dizziness, leg cramps, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and cravings.

Some studies cite the expectant fathers' hormonal changes as a central component of Couvade Syndrome. Studies show that levels of estradiol (or estrogen), the female sex hormone, rise as the birth of the baby approaches and continue to go up after the birth. Also interesting is that prolactin, a hormone which plays a key role in breastfeeding, increased in both parents before birth. It is believed that prolactin may help expectant fathers become more nurturing. Further studies show that fathers with Couvade syndrome have sharper drops in testosterone than those fathers who didn't have symptoms.

Couvade Syndrome symptoms seem to cross all cultural lines. According to one source, "men who were working class, African American, or reported that pregnancy was not planned experienced more pregnancy-related symptoms during pregnancy. White expectant fathers reported an increase in somatic symptoms as pregnancy progressed."1

It seems that the closer the man is to the woman emotionally, the more likely he is to exhibit symptoms. Thus, pregnancy can not only be an emotionally as well as physically charged time for women…but for men as well.

References:

1. Reeder, S., Martin, L., and Koniak-Griffin, D. Maternity Nursing: Family, Newborn and Women's Health Care. Lippincott: Philadelphia & New York. 18th Edition, 1997.

Additional resources:
Conner GK, Denson V.Expectant fathers' response to pregnancy: review of literature and implications for research in high-risk pregnancy. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs. 1990 Sep;4(2):33-42.

Masoni S, Maio A, Trimarchi G, de Punzio C, Fioretti P. The couvade syndrome. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 1994 Sep;15(3):125-31.