Finally, a unique pregnancy gift designed for fathers! I admit, my skepticism kicked in when I came across this news about a Danish company developing a bracelet that allows expectant dads to feel their unborn baby’s movements on their wrist. Naturally, I had to dive deeper into this curious invention.
The brainchild of three Danish jewelry design students inspired by a class on wearable technology, this start-up, called First Bond Wearables, created a bracelet known as the Fibo. Their idea sprouted while observing families strolling through their Copenhagen neighborhood.
Maria Jensen, research and media head at First Bond Wearables, shared with The Huffington Post, “We wanted to engage fathers or partners more in the pregnancy journey, as they often feel sidelined during the mother’s bodily changes and the experience of feeling life growing within.”
How Does the Fibo Function?
In the final trimester, pregnant women wear a device that tracks their baby’s movements. This data is then transmitted to the Fibo, which houses four tiny beads that replicate the baby’s movements by rotating and pressing against the wearer’s wrist, allowing them to feel kicks or turns in real time.
Now, I have a few thoughts on this. First, it takes a compassionate pregnant woman to agree to don a baby monitor in her third trimester just so her partner can feel a tap on the wrist while they’re out and about enjoying life. Second, a traditional hand-on-belly moment seems much more intimate than a bracelet with beads—something about that image just feels off. Third, I foresee some potential conflicts arising. Picture a pregnant woman asking, “Honey, where’s your Fibo? I thought you wanted to bond with the baby?” only for her partner to respond, “Oh, I took it off. It was annoying.” The resulting conversation might not be pretty, especially when she’s dealing with the discomfort of carrying their child.
Why the Wrist?
A common question that arises is: why the wrist? It seems more logical to place the device on the stomach for a closer experience. However, the developers found that most individuals preferred the wrist. Additionally, Jensen noted that many fathers liked the visibility aspect of wearing it on their wrist, wanting the world to see their impending fatherhood. I can’t help but find that a bit cliché.
A Keepsake Beyond Pregnancy
The creators of First Bond Wearables envision the Fibo as a meaningful keepsake beyond pregnancy. “The data from the baby’s movements can be transformed into a piece of jewelry for the family to cherish after the baby is born,” Jensen mentioned. But honestly, who revisits those moments? Just like those people who film events they’ll never watch again, I can’t see anyone saying, “Let’s relive the baby’s movements from last December.” That’s a fast track to losing friends.
While we appreciate the effort to bridge the gap between partners during pregnancy, we’re hesitant to fully embrace this concept for the average couple. Unless my partner is also partaking in the joys of heartburn and the daily struggles that come with pregnancy, I’m not sure I can get on board.
Additional Resources
For additional insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource: WomensHealth.gov. Also, if you’re curious about at-home insemination options, feel free to explore this blog post: Make a Mom. Lastly, for those considering gifts for future parents, this article from Intracervical Insemination can provide some inspiration.
Summary
The Fibo bracelet, designed by a Danish start-up, allows expectant fathers to feel their unborn baby’s movements on their wrist, but it raises questions about intimacy and practicality in the pregnancy experience.