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New-age rituals and celebrations such as pregnancy reveals, gender reveals and baby-naming parties have risen to popularity over the last few years and show no signs of slowing down.
It comes as no surprise that more and more fathers have been throwing the "we're pregnant" term around, when they are, in fact, not physically pregnant. Yet, it seems to just roll off the tongue.
While it's a normal or accepted thing for some people, others may be left feeling a little bit like this:
This leaves me thinking about something I saw on Reddit that said, "If you're a couple of seahorses, it's probably okay to say 'we're pregnant.'" Unfortunately (or fortunately I guess) we aren't a couple of seahorses.
The truth is, the one who isn't pregnant doesn't experience any of the symptoms.
That means no typical symptoms of pregnancy, including:
- Changes in breasts
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Frequent urination
- Feeling exhausted or sleepy
- Food cravings
- Pains
- Hormonal changes
- and lots more!
So, you're not really pregnant then, are you?
"Oh, you both are having a baby, you AND your wife are pregnant?"
In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Mila Kunis did a little comedy skit and expressed her thoughts on men saying "We're pregnant", and let's just say our good sis was not too happy about it.
"Do you have to squeeze a watermelon-sized person out of your lady hole? No.
Are you crying alone in your car listening to a stupid Bette Midler song? No.
When you wake up and throw up, is it because you're nurturing a human life? No."
– Mila, asking all the right questions really.
Check the funny clip out for yourself:
More people who think it's absolutely bonkers
He continues:
"... through the pains of labor, while the man... watches, and waits.
How does that equate to 'we are'? It doesn't.
Like Jim Davis said, keep to 'we're having a baby' and you are good. That works. You don't need to use the biological term for the state the woman is in as something both parents share. They don't. It's not cute."
He continues:
"...to being 'pregnant'. What? Now I get saying, 'We're having a baby'. Because once born, the baby is cared for by both parties. But only one individual is pregnant. It's a new-agey, Gen-X-esque attempt at unifying a couple and maintaining gender equality. It's stupid..."
"Don't take credit for something you don't have to go through"
Taking credit for someone else's hard work?
"because ...barf? Oh and I guess we will also gain all that weight and after the birth be left with a body we don't recognize at all as ours? And we will have to get up every hour to pee? And we will be in pain for hours, in my case over 48 in fact? And we will push a human out which despite what they tell you hurts like hell and not everybody forgets? And after that we will need stitches? And we risk all kinds of complications and illnesses? Aye, I bet we will mate. You only did the fun part, so don't take credit for something you will not have to go through."
People who think it's absolutely fine
Many people who think it's fine to use the term "we're pregnant" think that it is all about shared effort, responsibility and journey. Since the baby is half of the father, some feel it is fine for both parents to say "we're pregnant." They see it as quite the progressive phrase.
"It is a journey they are embarking on together."
"Couples are just cheesy like that"
Some serious cheesy business indeed. Some people are just into it, each to their own.
Susan, taking no prisoners
Some are adamant that men are just as much part of the experience.
"...Because they want to be sure they, their lady, and those viewing the couple to be very clear that they are not just waiting for the child to come out to be part of it.
NO MAN saying 'We're pregnant' wants anyone to think he believes he is sharing the experience of having human being grow inside of him, distending his belly, sitting and dancing on his bladder, swelling his feet, etc. He's just trying to get as close to it emotionally as he can and to be as supportive of his lady as he can..."
Do men ever experience the symptoms?
Not too long ago we did an interesting article about a little thing called couvade syndrome, where fathers experience morning sickness themselves. Check the article out for yourself: Yes, dads can get morning sickness too, and it's called couvade syndrome
Have you used the term "we're pregnant" before? What are your thoughts on it? Let us know by emailing us at chatback@Parent24.com and we could publish your comments. Do let us know if you'd like to remain anonymous.
Read more:
- Supermom performs kickboxing routine while in labour
- WATCH: Have you heard of the famous salad that makes you go into labour?
- His girlfriend asked him to do what? As far as unreasonable pregnancy requests go, this one's right up there
