In the 18th and 19th centuries, sideshow carnivals known as misemono were a popular form of entertainment for the sophisticated residents of Edo (present-day Tokyo). The sideshows featured a myriad of educational and entertaining attractions designed to evoke a sense of wonder and satisfy a deep curiosity for the mysteries of life. One popular attraction was the pregnant doll.

Vintage wooden pregnant mannequin, Japan — “Light-skinned” pregnant doll – Edo-Tokyo Museum

Although it is commonly believed that these dolls were created primarily to teach midwives how to deliver babies, evidence suggests they were also used for entertainment purposes.

Edo-era obstetric doll, Japan — “Dark-skinned” pregnant doll – Edo-Tokyo Museum

For example, records from 1864 describe a popular show in Tokyo’s Asakusa entertainment district that educated audiences about the human body. The show featured a pregnant doll whose abdomen could be opened to reveal fetal models depicting the various stages of prenatal development.

Old wooden baby dolls, Japan — Baby doll – Edo-Tokyo Museum

Similarly, records of Japan’s first national industrial exhibition in 1877 indicate a Yamagata prefecture hospital doctor named Motoyoshi Hasegawa showed off an elaborate set of fetus models illustrating seven different stages of growth, from embryo to birth.

Japanese pregnancy manikin, Japan — Fetus model set (circa 1877) – Toyota Collection

Although it is unclear whether the fetus model set pictured here is the same one Hasegawa showed in 1877, records suggest his model was a hit at the exhibition.

[Re-printed from: PinkTentacle.com - May 2009]
[Source: Geijutsu Shincho magazine - July 2001]
[Special thanks: Tamara Nico - May, 2009]

The wool slippers shown are remarkably only $15, available  through Etsy.

It’s $45.99 at Amazon.com. There are matching booties too.

Most of the controversy over the tests isn’t focused on whether or not the tests are accurate or not; but rather are they moral? Many feel couples desiring a certain gender might take a test and abort if the result isn’t too their liking? I suppose thats a legitimate concern within cultures where one sex is considered to be far more superior than the other; but it makes me a little queasy to think that might be the case here in the States.

The tests are both self-administered, the Baby Gender Predictor Test by taking a small blood culture from the tip of one’s fingertips. The culture is then mailed to the lab and results returned in  just a few days, results being 99% accurate with a full refund offered if the results were wrong. The lab is able to detect Y chromosomes in the bloodstream. If they are found, its definitely a boy, if none are found then almost positively it is a girl.

The Intelligender test claims to be 90% accurate. The entire test is performed at home, much like and old-fashioned home pregnancy test. One collects a sample of their first morning urine in the container provided, close the lid and swirl it around. If it turns pink, its a girl. if its blue, its a boy!

Interesting…

They are available from Little Catwalk, though a bit pricey at $68.50. I’m going to put them on my registry and see what happens

The dresses are angelic.

And these little romper sets are too much with their matching bloomers… I can hardly stand it!

This language can be taught to us parents using the Dunstan Baby Language DVD set, available from Baby Classroom. I’ve read dozens of good reviews. If it helps alleviate any communicative frustration my baby might encounter, then its worth the $37.50. I’m going to get it.

Here is a good solution: MyRegistry.com can combine any number of online shops for you to choose from. Besides increasing the variety of gifts, it can help you to address an equally vast variety of sensibilities and budgets. For the person who believes in giving only the most practical of gifts, they can choose a breast pump from Amazon.com. For someone who wants to give something more fun and frivolous, there is a designer dress from a hip Scandinavian boutique. All of this combined onto one concise registry is the answer to a prayer, gift givers and receivers rejoice!

Hopefully, as this blog serves me it will serve you as well. I’ve culled my favorite products from the web, the most adorable online shops and a collection of sources for information that you can trust. Please feel free to share your finds with the readers here as well. Lets build our own little community of Future Moms!