Recent scientific research indicates that men undergo physical changes when their wives are going through pregnancy. In this episode of The Lab, Daddy Clay and Daddy Brad tackle the subject of couvade, sympathetic pregnancy symptoms. Author Jeremy Adam Smith offers his expertise on which signs of pregnancy dads may experience when they and their pregnant partners are expecting a new baby. DadLabs ep 469 brought to you by BabyBjorn.

BRAD Your wife or significant other is pregnant, but you’re noticing some changes in yourself. Moodiness, irritability, food cravings.

CLAY Is it possible that you are actually
turning into a pregnant lady? We’ll ask the experts and find out, today in the lab.

BRAD
Today’s Lab is brought to you by the good folks at BabyBjorn.

CLAY Doesn’t matter what kind of mood you’re in -- watching the Travel Crib Light unfold will bring a smile to your face. BabyBjorn.

BRAD You know, Daddy Clay, it is a testament to the progress that we have made as dads, that scientists are now studying what happens to men during a partner’s pregnancy.

CLAY But because these scientific reports are long and technical and contain big words, we’ve asked “The Daddy Shift” author Jeremy Adam Smith from Berkeley’s Greater Good Institute to summarize.

BRAD Now I could see how, to some guys, a loss of testosterone would not be seen as a good thing.

CLAY I get it. Already, you’re heading into something that’s uncomfortable, and now your nuts are falling off.

BRAD Most guys are not going to be too scared of this because it sort of makes sense. Less hunting. More nurturing.

CLAY Do you really need a thicker brow and more hair on your back? Maybe if you’re A-rod, but I certainly don’t. This is your body, guiding you, telling you what to do! It’s evolution guiding you to defy culturally imposed stereotypes.

BRAD So in a way, these studies affirm that when you support your pregnant wife, or when you help take care of the baby, you are doing what nature intended you to do.

CLAY Okay, but this couvade? That’s just wrong.

BRAD So as you can see, Daddy Clay, couvade is a medically documented condition and absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.

CLAY Your wife is expecting, isn’t she Daddy Brad?

BRAD Yes.

CLAY Cause I notice, you’ve put on a few, you’ve been a bit moody, and have been eating strange things at your desk.

BRAD That’s all for us this week, in the Lab.

CLAY It’s nothing to be ashamed of Daddy Brad.

BRAD We want to thank our sponsors, BabyBjorn. Mom AND Dad friendly European design, BabyBjorn.

CLAY If you know a guy like Daddy Brad that actually has couvade, or you’d like to join the conversation about male hormones and pregnancy, drop by DadLabs dot com and jump on in.

BRAD See, you undermine it with those kind of comments.

CLAY Taking Back Couvade. DadLabs dot Com.

BRAD Jerk

CLAY Kinda getting into Daddy Owen territory, aren’t you Daddy Brad?