The EMPATHY BELLY

I have been waiting for this moment to arrive in our child-birthing classes for quite some time.  Each week, a husband from class is chosen to wear....The Empathy Belly!  It was finally time for Jeremy Vest to take a turn.  The empathy belly is a 35 pound belly that straps over the shoulders and fastens in the back.  It is meant to allow unsuspecting husbands to feel several symptoms of pregnancy. If worn long enough, it can actually cause lower back pain.  A Velcro strap is tightly applied around the rib cage to produce shallow breathing and shortness of breath.  A weight is also attached to the bottom of the belly that rests directly on the bladder (my favorite). This is supposed to simulate bladder pressure and frequency of urination.  The empathy belly also comes complete with a set of breasts.  Jeremy does not look too happy to have those!

Unfortunately, Jeremy only had to wear this belly for 30 minutes.  I was hoping the nurse would let us take it home so that he could sleep in it.  Nurse Waller did, however, make Jeremy sit on the floor and stand up, and bend down to remove his tennis shoes.  Jeremy said the worst part of the belly was the 35 pounds resting on his bladder. When I asked Jeremy how he felt, his comment was this:  "This isn't as accurate as your pregnancy.  I've got 35 pounds resting on my bladder.  At least your weight gain is spread out through your legs and rear." end quote.  It seems the wearer of the empathy belly did not feel so much empathy after all :)

http://www.empathybelly.org/home.html