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Simulator • Mobility & Dexterity

Pregnancy Simulation Suit

provides a unique opportunity to understand and empathise with pregnant people. By wearing the suit, you can gain insights into the physical limitations, altered centre of gravity, and emotional aspects that accompany this transformative journey.

What disability or impairment does this simulate?

This Pregnancy Simulation Suit provides a unique opportunity to understand and empathise with pregnant people. While it doesn’t simulate a disability or impairment, it allows designers to temporarily experience the sensations and challenges associated with being pregnant. By wearing the suit, you can gain insights into the physical limitations, altered centre of gravity, and emotional aspects that accompany this transformative journey.

Get ready to dive into the incredible journey of pregnancy and explore how design can make a positive impact on this beautiful phase of life. Pregnancy is a unique and transformative experience for individuals, and as designers, it’s crucial for us to understand and create solutions that cater to the needs of pregnant individuals.

How to put it on?

Put it on!

This suit is designed to be worn over your clothes. Slip your arms through the shoulder straps, obviously making sure the abdomen and breast pockets are on the front side of your body.

Connect the Buckles

Ensure the plastic buckles on the straps are connected around your shoulder blades and middle back. It may be easier to ask a friend or your support person present to assist you with the buckles. The buckle design should not get caught in hair or clothing. However, if you do have long hair, it may be easier to tie it up.

Adjust the straps

By adjusting the straps the design can be fitted easily to either men or womens bodies, large or small.

Add the weights

The weights in the breasts and abdomen can be inserted and removed so that you can adjust the total weight during your empathy exercises.

Now, you should be ready to start your empathy exercises!

Refer to section 4. Suggested Exercises and Scenarios for some ideas and guidance. When simulating the experience of being pregnant, its advisable to carry out the activities with at least one friend or classmate.

How to embrace and avoid?

DOs

DO take the time to read and understand the instructions provided in the manual before using the suit

DO wear the suit correctly, following the guidelines provided, to ensure an accurate simulation of the physical changes experienced during pregnancy

DO engage in activities that mimic daily tasks to experience the challenges faced by pregnant individuals, such as bending, reaching, and walking.

DO use the simulator as a tool to spark creativity and inspire innovative designs that cater to the unique needs and experiences of pregnant individuals.

DO communicate and collaborate with others who have used this simulator to share insights, ideas, and design solutions.

DO approach the simulation experience with empathy and an open mind, seeking to understand and appreciate the physical and emotional journey of pregnancy.

DON'Ts

DON’T use the suit if you have any pre-existing health conditions or concerns without consulting a healthcare professional.

DON’T overexert yourself or engage in strenuous activities while wearing the simulator, as it may strain your body or increase the risk of injury.

DON’T use the simulator as a substitute for professional medical advice or prenatal care. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for any concerns related to pregnancy.

DON’T assume that the simulator fully replicates the entire experience of pregnancy. It provides a partial simulation and may not encompass all aspects of the journey.

DON’T use the simulator to make assumptions or generalisations about the experiences of all pregnant individuals. Every pregnancy is unique, and personal experiences may vary.

DON’T forget to remove the simulator suit when necessary, especially if you experience discomfort, pain, or any other adverse effects during the simulation. Prioritise your well-being.

Remember, the Pregnancy Simulation Suit is a tool for empathy and understanding. By following these dos and don’ts, you can have a safe and meaningful experience while using the simulator and designing innovative solutions for the unique needs of pregnant individuals.

How to build empathy with the users?

Before you try a complex scenario, you should get used to the suit and adjust the suit accordingly. Here are some suggestions of basic tasks:

Sit down in a chair and stand up from the seated position
Walk and up down some stairs
Walk up and down a ramp or a hill
Step up onto a chair or a high step

Now, here are some suggestions for helping you to create your own empathy scenarios:

Public Transportation

Put on the pregnancy suit and try navigating through a crowded subway or bus. How do the altered centre of gravity and increased body size affect your balance and movement? Now, think about how you could design public transportation systems that provide better accessibility and comfort for pregnant individuals.

Shopping

Wear the pregnancy suit and attempt to shop for maternity clothes. Notice the limited options and the challenge of finding stylish and comfortable clothing. Now, let your creative juices flow and come up with innovative designs that combine fashion and functionality for expecting moms.

Household Tasks

Experience the physical strain of pregnancy by wearing the suit and try your hand at household chores like washing dishes or doing laundry. How do the additional weight and limited mobility impact your ability to perform these tasks? Think about how you could design ergonomic and user-friendly appliances or tools to make household chores easier for pregnant individuals.

Dining Out

Put on the pregnancy suit and visit a restaurant or café. Pay attention to the discomfort of sitting in standard chairs or the challenges of navigating through crowded spaces. Now, think outside the box and create new seating solutions or restaurant layouts that prioritise the comfort and convenience of pregnant individuals.

A Good Night’s Sleep

Wear the pregnancy suit and try getting a good night’s sleep. Feel the difficulty of finding a comfortable sleeping position and the impact of frequent bathroom visits. Now, let your imagination run wild and design innovative sleep accessories or bedroom setups that promote better sleep and relaxation for pregnant individuals.

Being a parent while pregnant.

Experience the emotional aspect of pregnancy by wearing the pregnancy suit and engage in activities that promote bonding with the baby, like reading children’s books or playing soothing music. How does this help you connect with the experience of pregnancy? Now, brainstorm ways to incorporate technology or design elements that enhance the emotional well-being and bonding opportunities for expectant parents.

These suggested tasks and scenarios aim to provide you with firsthand experiences of the challenges faced by aged individuals in various aspects of daily life. By immersing yourself in these scenarios, you will gain valuable insights and inspiration to create more inclusive and empathetic designs.

Designing for intersectionality by combining empathy tools

As design students, it is essential to recognise that the individuals we are designing for may often have more than one impairment or condition. While the simulators provided in this manual offer valuable insights into specific aspects of the user’s experience, it is important to remember that real-life situations can be complex and multifaceted.

To deepen your empathetic design methods and create more inclusive, innovative and original solutions, we encourage you to consider using a combination of empathy tools together. By combining simulators, such as wearing the Pregnancy Simulation Suit along with a Wheelchair, you can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with multiple impairments or conditions.

By embracing this holistic approach, you will be better equipped to develop designs that address the diverse needs and experiences of your target users. Remember, empathy is at the core of meaningful design, and by continually expanding your understanding and perspectives, you can create truly inclusive and impactful solutions.

Have you thought about using this simulator along with:

Wheelchair

Arthritis Simulation Gloves

These are just some suggestions; you can get creative and try to create any combination of empathy simulators, including your own DIY simulators.

Warning:

The Pregnancy Simulation Suit Empathy Tool Manual is for educational and empathetic purposes only. The simulator provides a simulated experience of pregnancy, but it does not fully replicate the actual physical, emotional, and physiological changes of pregnancy. Exercise caution and ensure a safe environment to prevent accidents, falls, or strain on your body. It’s a good idea to have a support person present to assist you during the simulation.

Disclaimer:

The use of empathy tools does not equal the full experiences of being pregnant. It is best to aim to engage with your target audience, using the tools to prepare better. The Pregnancy Simulation Suit is not a substitute for professional medical advice, therapy, or rehabilitation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for proper medical management and therapy if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or have concerns about your reproductive health. The School of Design, the Material Resource Centre, and the creators of this simulator and manual are not liable for any injuries, damages, or misuse of the simulator.

Citation:

If you wish to cite this empathy tools manual, you may insert the reference as follows:

Maximo, T; O’Brien, M; Chan, L.S.; Liu, X.; Zhan, W; Lee, W.K.A. (2024). Empathy Tool Manual: Pregnancy Simulation Suit. School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

PDF manual:

Click here to download the pdf. file (3.9MB)