Preserve your pregnant belly in 3D!
Pregnancy is an extremely special, yet short-lived time in a woman's life and memories tend to fade quickly. A belly cast is an exact replica of your pregnant form and an excellent way to capture and remember this amazing time in your life.
Let me come to the comfort of your own home and help you create a visual representation of your beautiful pregnant form. Enjoy a private session, incorporate your partner or family, or throw a belly casting party at your baby shower! |
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Why create a belly cast?
Every woman's decision to do a belly cast is personal and unique. A belly casting is a beautiful way to remember your pregnancy in the years to come. It's also a great way to see how much your body changed in just 9 months, or to compare one pregnancy to the next. Belly casting can be a fun way to get your partner and/or other older siblings involved in your pregnancy. Many women feel that it's during their pregnancy that they feel the most beautiful and powerful and like to preserve this time in their lives with a tangible memory that they can display with pride. Some women choose to cast their first pregnancy, some to honor their last, some to commemorate years of trying to conceive. Often it is the mother's partner who would like the casting done so they can forever remember the beautiful transformation their loved one experienced while carrying their child. The reasons to do a belly cast are endless. But I will promise you this... You will never regret getting a belly cast done, but you may regret missing out.
When should I schedule my belly casting session?
If you are having your first child, I would recommend booking an appointment 10 days to 2 weeks before your estimated due date. If it's your 2nd+ child, I would recommend booking 2-3 weeks before your
estimated due date. I would also suggest booking an appointment early if you are expecting twins or have had previous complications that may lead to an early labour.
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How long does the casting process take?
The type/style of casting you want will determine the time required. The whole process takes approximately 1 hour from set-up to cleanup.
What materials are used to make the cast?
What materials are used to make the cast?
I use hospital grade, non-toxic, plaster gauze strips (the same type a doctor would use to cast a broken arm or leg) that is completely safe for both mother and baby. Prior to casting, your skin is coated with
Vaseline to prevent the cast from sticking to your skin and to allow
easy removal once it dries.
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What exactly is involved in the belly casting process?
For the casting session, I will come to you. Whether it be your home, your mothers/friends home, your baby shower, where ever you choose to have your casting done. First, we will discuss what style of casting you would like done and
then you will disrobe accordingly. Most women disrobe completely except for their underwear or an old pair of jogging pants, but you may do whatever makes your feel most comfortable. You are more than welcome to wear a bra during the session, but I would recommend using an old one that you wouldn't mind getting dirty. A generous layer of Vaseline will then be applied to your skin, covering the entire area what will be cast. I will cover the area that we will be working in with a drop sheet to keep your home as clean as possible (casting can be a little bit messy). When we are all ready, the casting can begin - you can choose to stand or sit during the process. Casting involves me wetting strips of plaster gauze of various sizes and lengths in a large bowl of warm water and placing them along your skin to achieve your desired design. The plaster dries as I work so there isn't often a drying period at the end. When the cast is thick/dry enough, I will help you to gently remove the cast from your body. You may want to shower right away to remove any excess plaster and Vaseline. This provides a good opportunity for me to continue working on the cast - reenforcing corners and edges to ensure a sturdy cast. The final step is deciding if/how you would like to decorate your beautiful new cast. The options are as endless as your imagination. (Pictures and video are more than welcome during the casting sessions)
Ideas for decoration and display:
Many women choose to have their cast decorated to match their new baby's nursery so they can proudly hang it on the wall. Other's display it in other rooms of their home or offices. Most women keep their casts in safe keeping for many years so they can one day pass it on to their child when they are grown. You may find it empowering to spend
a quite afternoon decorating your cast with things that remind you of your journey through your pregnancy. Another neat idea is to have your casting done before your baby shower or Blessingway and then use the cast as your own unique guestbook for friends and family to write well-wishes on for your and your new baby. If you have other
children you may want to decorate the cast with them and use that time to talk about the new addition to the family that will be arriving shortly - allow them to express their feelings through their art. Still not sure what to do with your cast? Flip it over and use it as a chip and dip bowl. As you can see, the options are endless. Let your imagination guide you.
What can be done with the cast afterwards?
Your cast is truly a one-of-a-kind piece of art and there are MANY things you can do with it, starting with decorating it. When our casting session is finished, you can choose to:
1. Keep the cast as is, in its rough form, to do with whatever you'd like.
2. Have me "finish" the cast back at my studio . This process involves many layers of plaster and sanding to create a smooth surface for decorating, as well as preparing the cast to be hung by string or ribbon. The cast will be returned to you within 2-3 weeks of our initial session.
3. Have someone professionally decorate the cast for you.
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