couvade

‖n. [ F., fr. couver. See Covey. ] A custom, among certain barbarous tribes, that when a woman gives birth to a child her husband takes to his bed, as if ill. [ 1913 Webster ]

The world-wide custom of the couvade, where at childbirth the husband undergoes medical treatment, in many cases being put to bed for days. Tylor. [ 1913 Webster ]