So this post is just for fun. We need a bit of that more often! Especially when we’re pregnant, right?
Dads With Fake Pregnant Bellies
I read this article last month about these three dads that are doing their best to experience the physical symptoms of their wives’ pregnancies.
Also as a tribute to their mothers, they have devoted an entire month to wearing those imitation fake pregnant bellies night and day.
Image courtesy of wric.com
Sure they complain about having the back aches, pressure on their bladders and stomachs, even difficulty picking stuff up-the basics.
I think it is honorable. They’re even writing a book about it and have their own site documenting their experiences every step of the way.
But it’s still a bit laughable to me, lightheartedly. Yes, it’s the best they can do. But, of course, they can never come even close.
I remember when I was asked by a male coworker what it felt like to be pregnant. So I laughed and rattled off everything I could think of. But the funnier side of the conversation is what I remember.
- Having REALLY bad gas for months.
- Putting a bowling ball in your pants right on your bladder.
- Constantly starving but have NO appetite whatsoever.
- Dealing with the stomach flu around the clock.
- Sudden moments of feeling like you’re going to faint without that glass of juice your tripping over yourself to get.
- Utter exhaustion just going up the stairs.
- Your hips, back and tailbone aching like wedges have been driven in them.
- Having the longest lasting stuffy nose EVER.
- Putting on your shoes compares to digging a grave.
- Crying for the fact that you don’t know why you’re crying.
- Waddling like you’ve been riding a horse all day.
And I’m sure I’ve missed plenty.
When my husband and I attended a class at our local hospital with my first pregnancy, we had a comical day when the husbands got to wear the similar bellies. The instructor filled them with this bag of hot water to simulate the heat, but that’s about it.
By the way, I hate this pic because I look terrible-and my husband is a TOTAL nerd.
My husband actually thought it was comfortable to have such a nice ‘arm rest’ right there. But then I think I told him to lay down on the floor and then try to roll over and get up without falling over again. Nothing could ever compare in my mind.
Dads With Fake Labor
Many of you have probably seen this video that’s come around the social media a few times. These two men go in to experience what is most comparable to labor contractions.
They’re strapped up to electrodes across their abdomen to simulate pain during contractions. It’s actually quite funny because they do ALL the exact things they shouldn’t be doing in order to get through them: tensing up, breathing too quick, not relaxing.
But it’s still missing the pushing out a melon, the INTENSE pressure that builds and builds and builds, and the final burst at the end. Don’t get me started on the healing afterwards, not being able to sit on anything, and just aching and aching in places and ways you never thought possible.
Sure our husbands will never truly know and understand, try as they may. And we mothers often complain and vent and apologize about every little thing that affects us.
We also use the same circumstances to excuse ourselves and even get others to do things we know that we can still do ourselves. But we convince ourselves that we deserve it- because we do!
Mothers Experience Far More
But we ALSO experience many things that the men in our lives cannot.
- Holding that little one so close and feeling a complete enrapture from the bond you share with them.
- Feeling your baby suckle at your breast in such a way that you experience the ultimate tenderness imaginable.
- Seeing that baby come out of you, stopping the whole world in a way that you feel there is no other more glorious moment in time.
- Putting your baby to bed for the first time at home and just standing in full awe at the glory of life you’ve been blessed to be a part of.
I truly thought that I had experienced the happiest moment of my life when I married my husband. But I was wrong…
There is no other way to experience a fullness of joy than by having children and raising a family. I cannot even fully explain the immensity of feelings only I know from my experiences personally. Even with each successive child, those feelings are separately unique and distinct, but fully whole and joyous.
I appreciate what these men and those in our lives that do all they can to be apathetic and understand what we experience. We shouldn’t discredit that; they are doing what they can do best.
But we should also keep in perspective that even though it seems we go through much more difficulty, I KNOW that we are also blessed and rewarded far greater because of it.
We are mothers. We are divine. We should not forget it.
Had to laugh when I saw the video Still I can understand the men - it is impossible to imagine what to expect until you are in labour. The body is really powerful. I never knew how strong my body was until giving birth.
I have to agree that they still only felt some of the things a woman go thru giving birth.
Marie
I laugh almost every time when the one husband says “stop laughing” to his wife! It’s the best. Thanks, Marie.
I love this article. I like how you described how it feels to your co-worker, spot on! The stuffy nose? I thought I was the only one that had that.
Great read, Sarah!
Oh yeah, I’ve had a stuffy nose for months, helps to exercise and breathe better. But it’s because your mucus linings increase in production to up your natural germ fighting enzymes because your immune system is naturally suppressed. Thus your stuffy nose, salivating mouth, and extra discharge from you vagina.
Thanks Jean!
Sarah when i first got on your site i was feeling some type of way smh! lol. but as i as a man read your story it makes sense if a lady keeps having your babies she does love you! lol im feeling this a lot.
I like how you said that Rav: If a lady keeps having your babies she does love you!
Thanks for commenting!
Hey there - I can’t believe that there are products out there for men to try to experience pregnancy. Of course it can’t ever be the same - as you say.
Not sure I would want to cart it around for 9 months!
Thanks for the article.
I think these guys just did it for a month, but even so! I think they use them in some sex ed classes too to give girls the feel of what it only partially entails if they choose to have unprotected sex. Anyway, thanks for your comment, Paul!
Sarah, as usual, I loved your article!
This was very entertaining to me! But also got me a little scared.
You see, I’m not a mother yet… I know that there are many uncomfortable things pregnant women have to go through but I haven’t experienced that. I can understand a little about the pain ’cause I used to have awful cramps that would lead to the hospital because I just couldn’t stand the pain.
So yeah, I’m a bit afraid of getting pregnant one day, but I also understand how amazing and wonderful it must be to carry your own little baby and take care of him…
Michelle.
Labor contractions are different that regular period cramps…most of the time. But when I got my period back after my second baby, on the heavier days, I would have cramps that felt A LOT like contractions. And I was surprised how they had changed for me. But then I realized how some women describe their period cramps as similar to contractions and I connected the dots.
Some women have much stronger period cramping and they often go through childbirth and say it wasn’t much worse than their periods. I had a midwife tell me that when I was a teenager and I didn’t believe her. But now I do!! But there is a difference in the pain of contractions. You have so much more going on that just during a period.
I have everything that you’re ever going to need when it comes to relaxing through them and accepting the contractions during your labor, Michelle. You have no need to fear. Fear begets tension which conflicts with your body’s natural hormones that are trying to do their job during labor.
Anyway, when you get to the day of looking forward to your first baby’s birth, touch back with me and we’ll have you ready. Don’t let the men’s reactions in the video scare you. (They’re just wimpy anyway ) Plus they’re doing everything WRONG and they don’t have the natural benefits we women do in such circumstance either.
Best to you, thanks for your comment!
Thank you for your reply, Sarah! I see you have much knowledge and experience. I will certainly look for your help when I get pregnant!
You’re welcome, Michelle! Anytime.
Great post enjoyed reading it. Very well written and great content and images. You have a pleasant easy to navigate site and it is quite engaging to read,
Thanks Thomas! Feel free to share.