5 Common Pregnancy Symptoms that Dads-To-Be Often Experience

Weight Gain is the Most Common Pregnancy Symptom

Most men don’t want to admit that they have put on a few extra pounds since finding out he is expecting to be a father soon.  Some men will run and get cravings for their pregnant spouse and often times they are also indulging her cravings with her.  If they aren’t indulging in extra snacks, they can put on weight gain due to the added stress that pregnancy creates.  When your body is stressed, it produces more cortisol.  Cortisol is responsible for regulating blood sugar and insulin.  When the cortisol increases in the body, it tends to make you feel hungry even if you aren’t.  If you find yourself snacking more than usual, try to keep healthy snacks such as fruit or vegetables to snack on easily accessible instead of junk food or empty calories.  Another way to combat weight gain is to add exercise to your daily routine.

Some Men Experience Morning Sickness or Feel Nauseous

If your husband or significant other, is reaching for the crackers or is running to the toilet because they are feeling nauseated.  Don’t be alarmed, if your man is feeling sick to his stomach it is more than likely due to anxiety and nerves.  It is even possible that your other half is a stress eater and is turning to food to help relieve their stress, nerves, and anxiety.  Again, try to encourage him and tell him that he will make a great father.  Try to get him to open up and discuss what is bothering or worrying him.

Experiencing the Same Aches and Pains As You Do

If your husband has the same aches and pains that you seem to be experiencing, don’t discount his pain levels he probably is really feeling the aches and pains.  While his pain isn’t  brought on from physically carrying the child, his body is just responding to the psychological and subconscious feelings about becoming a parent in the upcoming weeks.  His aches and pains are more likely related to feeling tensed or stressed out.  If he is having sympathy pains, be sure to discuss with him so that you can try to determine what is bothering or worrying him.

Changes in Sexual Behaviors

During the course of the pregnancy, men typically notice this change in behavior the most, that the amount of sex in the relationship has taken a nose dive or has increased.  Often times pregnant mom’s are too tired, don’t feel well, or don’t have the urge to have sex during pregnancy, while other mom’s can’t get enough.  It is important that you remain intimate and connect with your spouse during pregnancy, even if its in a nonsexual manner.  Some men are turned on or find their wife even more attractive while pregnant.  While others find pregnancy to be a complete turn off and remind them of the upcoming responsibilities.  There are some men who refuse to have sex because they fear that they are going to harm the baby; however, dad’s your baby is fully protected in the womb and it is perfectly normal to have an active sex life while pregnant.  The only time when sexual intercourse should be avoided is if the doctor put your wife or girlfriend on pelvic rest.
Pregnancy not only affects women but men too can experience changes and pregnancy symptoms as well.  A man’s symptoms are mostly psychological and stress related rather than hormonal.  If you see any of these changes in your husband or boyfriend, men can experience real pregnancy symptoms and they shouldn’t be discounted.  It is important to discuss any underlying issues that could be contributing to these five common pregnancy symptoms in men.

Dads did you experience any of these five pregnancy related symptoms?