Empathy belly
LiveNLove44
member
We had our second class last night and the focus was on late pregnancy through early labor. We talked about the role of the SO and labor partner. The instructor had an empathy belly for helping the SOs relate to what the expectant mothers were experiencing, and my husband volunteered to give it a shot.
She had him put it on, added weights, then added measures to constrict his breathing and put extra pressure on his bladder. This was all done in front of the other couples, and I could not stop giggling. I've never enjoyed another person's discomfort before as much as I did last night! Naturally, I snapped pictures as he tried to pick up things from the floor, tie his shoes, and get up from a lying down position. Those pics are going to be perfect for the baby book. ::mobile smiley::
The instructor ended her demonstration with, "Now your wife has to be pregnant for 9-10 months, but you can wear that for as long as you want tonight. You can take it off right away, or you can leave it on through class." DH, bless him, responded, "Well it wouldn't be an empathy belly if I didn't wear it for as long as I could so I could empathize more realistically." FWIW, this is the sweetest he's been about the pregnancy in a LONG time, so I soaked it up! I also wish he could have worn it home so he could wear it on a run with me this morning...
Has anyone else had a SO put on an empathy belly? I think the comical value of the process of loading on the weights and restrictions was well worth the class fee, and we learned along the way!
Re: Empathy belly
bwahahahaha! That's awesome!
I haven't had the chance to do that yet, but I would TOTALLY have my SO do that! LOL!
-My step-daughter is 12 years old.
-BFP #1 on 9/2/12, D&C 10/18/12 no heartbeat on US @ 10 weeks.
-BFP #2 on 1/7/13, R was born on 9/22/13 via C-Section
Hey, whatever works, right?! The neat thing about the EB she had was that there was a pendulum inside so he could feel "movement" as he was adjusting his positions. After that experience, I think it should be a pre-req. for SOs! Only half kidding...
Haha! I love that he can relate. I also like his sincerity in making sure that LO knows she needs to be nice! That bodes well for the future when she's here!
aw what a sweet thing for your DH to say.
Also--you still run? Good for you! because of my spd I can't run at all (like, starting 6 weeks in) but I'm actually just impressed with anyone who is staying that active 30 weeks in. You'll be in great shape for labor!
As for the empathy bellies, I think they are great in theory, but I can't imagine they really simulate pregnancy that well. They can't cause your hips to separate so that you're forced to waddle and/or be in pain when you walk & move. They can't cause heartburn. They really can't cause nausea. They can't make your breasts hurt. They can't cause swelling all over. And a whole host of other symptoms that I never got but other people get commonly. I think carrying around extra weight, being lopsided, and having a giant belly in front of you are actually the easiest parts of pregnancy. It's all of the pain & discomfort/nausea that really make it unpleasant.
Oh I definitely agree! DH brought this up when we returned home. He said the weight was too "localized" and it probably wasn't realistic in that respect. Unfortunately, I think it was about as close as he'll get to experiencing the pregnancy for himself. I bet if he had done it with a hangover and after a night of eating lots of salty food, it might have been closer to the real deal! I'll settle for the sweet pics I nabbed until an opportunity like that presents itself!