Why make pregnant belly cast art?
Pregnancy is a unique time in anyone’s life and it’s an experience that many want to cherish and remember long after they’ve given birth. A pregnant belly cast offers a sentimental and aesthetically beautiful reminder of your pregnancy that will last you a lifetime. The beauty of casting your pregnant belly is that it preserves a precious memory in a way that’s special to you.
Many parents choose to use their pregnant belly cast art as a decorative piece in a nursery, bedroom, or living room, and others simply keep it in a protective box as a private sentimental item to be passed down to their children. No matter how you choose to display or appreciate your belly cast, you won't regret taking the leap to immortalize such a milestone and honor that unique time in your life for you and your family. Casting your belly is a simple yet powerful way to honor the body that nurtured your baby for those precious months.
How to make a DIY belly cast
One of the best things about making a belly cast is that it can be done safely and effectively at home. However, it will take time and care to get the best results. Here are some DIY belly cast tips to get the most out of your mold:
Protect your floors
While belly casting is both fun and relatively simple, it can be messy. So be sure to place towels, newspapers, or a drop cloth underneath the area where you’ll be casting to keep the mess to a minimum and protect your floors.
Get comfortable
After you’ve placed the plaster, you’ll have to wait for it to dry in order to get the best results. A pure belly cast usually takes about 20-30 minutes to dry, but a full torso mold can take up to an hour, so it’s a good idea to sit or lie on a soft surface in a comfortable position so you won’t feel the need to move around or readjust.
Purchase a belly cast kit
One of the first and most important steps in the belly casting process is making sure you have all the right tools and supplies. Luckily there are a variety of affordable belly cast kit options available that make this easy!
Get a helping hand
Whether you have the help of your partner, a friend, or a family member, it’s always a good idea to have someone there to help you through the process of placing the gauze and removing the cast once it’s dry and ready. It also doesn’t hurt to have some company while you wait!
Belly cast decoration ideas
Your creativity is the only limit when it comes to decorating your mold! From sparkly mosaic designs, to 3D floral arrangements, to family-photo collages, your options are endless. Not sure exactly what you want it to look like? You can often get decorating belly cast ideas from friends or family, and there are also tons of online resources to help you choose the perfect design for your cast and then execute that plan!
Belly Cast Ideas
Here are five of our favorite DIY belly cast ideas.
Turn your belly cast into a mosaic of colorful beads, mirrors, and tiles.
Paint your belly cast to match your nursery and hang it from a ribbon.
Draw a mandala on your belly cast as you meditate in preparation for labor.
Take a photoshoot of your baby inside the belly casting.
Turn your belly cast into the centerpiece of your shower.
Pregnant belly casting kits
If you opt to do your belly cast on your own (or, ideally, with the help of a partner or friend), you’ll need to buy one of the many pregnant belly casting kits available on the market. You can buy them online or in stores, but it’s a good idea to do some research ahead of time to find the right kit for you.
Basic belly casting kits come with everything you need to make a simple white cast (lubricant to apply before you begin, gloves, gauze, and plaster). If you want to decorate your cast, you can also find kits that include things like paint, stencils, glitter, and other materials to put the finishing touches on your belly mold.
How much does a belly cast cost?
A bell cast kit can cost as little as $10 or as much as $50 depending on the quality of the materials and source of production. If you are looking for a popular belly cast kit, these two rank high in search engine results:
The Proud Body Belly Casting Kit is available for $16.99.
The Pearhead Belly Casting Kit is available for $19.99.
Our professional belly cast services
While some expecting parents choose to DIY their own belly cast, others opt for professional belly casting services to ensure their belly cast is done correctly and will hold up over time. Choosing to have a cast of your belly made is a beautiful way to honor your pregnant form and create an artistic keepsake to remember the extraordinary experience of bringing new life into the world.
Wildwood offers professional belly casting as an add-on service to any of our birth doula packages or maternity photoshoot packages for an additional $150. We love helping birthing people memorialize their pregnant bodies through belly casting. The process of making the cast takes about 30-60 minutes. Once the cast sets, it’s removed from the belly and left to air dry for 24-48 hours.
Frequently asked questions about belly casting
-
You can decorate your belly cast to fit the theme of your nursery or hang it in a central location in your home to be enjoyed by friends and family.
-
It is best to make your belly cast between 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. That will maximize the size of your belly while not waiting too long just in case your baby comes early.
-
A belly cast serves as a keepsake of your pregnancy to be enjoyed for years to come.
-
A professional belly cast service can cost as little as $99 or upwards of a thousand dollars depending on the quality of work and artistic detail you request.
-
You should do your belly cast between 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.
-
You shape a belly cast by gently laying the plaster sheets over the belly until they are several layers thick.
-
You keep a belly cast on until it has fully dried which will vary based on the humidity of the air but generally takes at least ten minutes.
Do you have more belly cast or pregnancy questions?
We’re here to support you on every step of your pregnancy and birthing journey including beautiful craft projects like a DIY belly cast. Contact Wildwood Birth to speak with a qualified and caring Portland doula.