Finally! A thoughtful pregnancy gift for expectant fathers. As a somewhat skeptical observer, I couldn’t help but be intrigued when I stumbled upon a story about a Danish company that created a bracelet allowing dads-to-be to feel their unborn baby’s kicks right on their wrist. My reaction? “I can’t even with this, but I need to know everything!”
Three Danish design students—because why not?—were inspired by a class on wearable tech to launch a startup named First Bond Wearables. They designed a bracelet called the Fibo after observing families strolling around their school neighborhood in Copenhagen. According to Mia Lund, the head of communications for First Bond Wearables, the goal was to engage fathers (or non-birthing partners) more in the pregnancy experience, as they often feel overlooked while the mother undergoes all the physical changes and experiences the baby’s movements.
How Does the Fibo Work?
In the third trimester, pregnant women wear a device that tracks their baby’s movements. This data is transmitted to the Fibo, which features four small beads that rotate and press against the wearer’s wrist, allowing them to feel the baby’s kicks or turns in real time.
Now, I have a few thoughts on this. First, it takes a remarkably generous pregnant woman to agree to wear a baby monitor during her third trimester just so her partner can feel some gentle taps on the wrist while they’re out enjoying life—squeezing into restaurant booths and tying their shoes without the burden of pregnancy. Secondly, a hand on the belly feels far more intimate than beads rolling around on a wrist—an image that, for reasons I can’t quite articulate, makes me feel slightly queasy. And lastly, I foresee some heated arguments arising from this gadget. Picture a scenario where a pregnant woman asks, “Honey, where’s your Fibo? I thought you wanted to bond with the baby?” and the partner replies, “Oh, I took it off. It was annoying.” Cue the inevitable guilt trip: “Wow, it must be nice to just ‘take it off’ while I’m over here with our baby’s head lodged in my ribcage 24/7. Want to know what that feels like?”
Why the Wrist?
One might wonder why the wrist was chosen as the target area for this experience. It seems more logical to place it on the stomach for a closer connection. However, the developers report that when asked, most people preferred their wrist. Maybe if I had to choose a spot for unexpected taps throughout the day, I’d go with my wrist too. Moreover, Lund noted that many fathers liked the idea of having the device visible, wanting others to see that they were expecting a baby. Either that’s a clever excuse they concocted while their partners were present, or this is a type of guy I don’t know and would probably find rather punchable.
A Keepsake for the Future?
The creators at First Bond Wearables envision the Fibo as a keepsake that outlasts pregnancy. “The baby’s movement data is saved and eventually turned into a piece of jewelry that the family can cherish after the baby is born,” Lund shared. No, just no. That’s like those people who film events they’ll never rewatch. Who goes home and thinks, “Let’s relive that 4th of July parade from 2013”? Or even better, “Hey, let’s strap on the Fibo and experience the baby’s movements from last December”? That’s how you end up losing friends.
While we appreciate the effort to share pregnancy experiences with a partner, there are situations—like with surrogates—where this could be a genuinely nice idea. But for everyday couples? It’s going to be hard to get on board. Unless my partner also experiences my heartburn and the daily struggle of bending over, I’m afraid I’m just too emotionally detached to engage.
Conclusion
In summary, the Fibo bracelet aims to bridge the gap for expectant fathers wanting to feel a connection to their unborn child. However, the practicality and intimacy of this device may leave some expecting parents scratching their heads. For more on navigating pregnancy, check out this excellent resource. And if you’re interested in home insemination, you can learn more with this insightful guide.