a custom among some peoples whereby the husband of a pregnant wife is put to bed at the time of bearing the child

In some cultures, the male's observance of certain rituals and taboos to signify the transition to fatherhood.

The term Couvade is derived from the early French word (Couver "to hatch") and originally referred to the medieval Basque custom in which the father, during or immediately after the birth of a child, took to bed, complained of having labour pains, and was accorded the treatment usually shown women during pregnancy or after childbirth.