‘Pregnant dad syndrome’ catching on

An increasing number of Kenyan men are accompanying their spouses to maternal clinics, with most correctly telling the kind of services offered to their partners.

Seven out of every 10 Kenyan men accurately describe antenatal care (ANC) as “the care of the mother and baby before birth”. To the surprise of Infotrak Research & Consulting which conducted a national study for the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, men - including those in some rural settings - understand even technical details.

“I’ve gone once and I heard the word trimester, then figured that she goes after three months,” the survey quotes a male respondent from Nyeri as recalling. The study which covered 1,950 respondents in all provinces, and was completed in May, puts male awareness of ANC just a few points behind non-pregnant women.

“Awareness of ANC amongst non-pregnant women and male was at 74 per cent and 67 per cent respectively.” The awareness increased after public health clinics started encouraging pregnant women to be accompanied by their spouses mainly for HIV testing and counselling.

But it is also biological. Emerging evidence justifies paternal leave; men undergo several hormonal changes in preparation for fatherhood. As birth nears, the “cuddle” hormone starts to rise in the dad-to-be. This hormone, called oxytocin, influences closeness to others.

According to the NewScientist of Tuesday, fathers with the most oxytocin play more with their children and seem more attached to them.
As the child finally arrives, levels of the hormone testosterone in men drop. This hormone is produced by the testes and encourages the development of male sexual characteristics.

According to NewScientist this drop dissuades men from running after other females and focus on their families. “Indeed, men with higher testosterone levels appear less likely to give children attention.” Scientists estimate that a father’s testosterone level drops by about a third, on average, in the first three weeks after his child is born.

Biological changes in “expecting” men include elevated levels of another hormone called prolactin, known for triggering breast feeding. “Men with higher levels of prolactin seem more responsive to infants’ cries.” An Israeli researcher measured the hormones oxytocin and prolactin in 43 first-time fathers six months after their child’s birth.

A study published in the journal Hormones and Behaviour found that higher prolactin was associated with encouraging their child to explore and interact with new toys. In extreme cases “expecting fathers have been known to experience what is medically called Couvade syndrome or “pregnant dad syndrome”.

This is a condition in which the father-to-be experiences some physical symptoms of pregnancy prior to birth — weight gain, morning sickness, insomnia and stomach pains. Kenyan men who accompany their spouses to the maternal clinic are reported by Infotrak Research as being happy with the services offered.

But not this male from the Coast: “I disliked the services. She was harassed by the nurses... I didn’t like the type of questions they ask; some are annoying.”