WATCH: Husband tapes watermelon to his body to get taste of pregnant life
An experiment that we think all fathers should undertake as an expectant parent...
As women, our bodies go through huge changes when it comes to birthing a child. The whole process can be shocking for you, both mentally and physically. But each woman's experience can be said to be different. So as much as another woman can understand your circumstance to some extent, each experience is unique and it's easy to feel like no one gets you.
Now when it comes to the male body, we have heard of cases where fathers-to-be experience pregnancy symptoms when their partners are expecting. Couvade syndrome, pregnant dad syndrome, male pregnancy experience, or sympathetic pregnancy are what it could be referred to. And it basically entails the father experiencing symptoms such as gastrointestinal issues like nausea, stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. (Good Therapy Blog)
On the other hand, there are those fathers that are somehow unsympathetic to their partners when they go through that "watermelon phase" and feel like they are carrying around a watermelon. Pregnant women generally reach a point where getting out of bed, tying or putting on shoes can be challenging, and even carrying their toddlers or working in the kitchen can be constraining.
So a mom-to-be of TikTok decided to put the fathers-to-be to the test and allow them to feel the struggles they experience daily. The video shows how expectant fathers deal with carrying around a watermelon that has been strapped onto their mid-sections with clingwrap. The revelation, entertaining as it may be, is also quite cathartic for the mothers and even some of the fathers.
When it comes to their responses, it's mixed, but we just want to encourage parents-to-be to work together when they are expecting. Being parents is not an easy task and support between parents is integral.
If you are an expectant parent, we wish you all the best. From our family to yours...
Image Courtesy of YouTube