Belly Casts anyone?

[Livie'smomma]

I just had my belly cast done today-I'm 37wks/4 days. I was getting nervous that I would have to do it in labor if I waited much longer.

If you haven't done one I highly recommend it. I did one with my last pregnancy and bought the kit for $30 or $35 (can't remember), but this time I heard I could just go to Michael's (or AC Moore) and get the plaster strips. So, I bought 5 rolls (only needed 4). they were each $4.50. I could have gotten them cheaper if I had a coupon.

The first time round I used vaseline to lube me up before putting on the cast, but this time we didn't have any and just used vegetable oil instead. It worked perfectly.

So, you can have a beautiful full bellied cast for less than $20 if you want a really cool memory of the pregnancy. (It really blows your mind how big you got, when you try it on your body, when it isn't pregnant anymore).

Enjoy! It's fun!

[angie6282]

I would LOVE to do this before I have baby. But can you explain exactly how to do it? I have an idea but don't really know the details. Thanks!

[impromptukiss]

we did ours last week! i'll have to post pictures. we paid about $10 for it this time. got the stuff at michaels, used the big rolls that were $10, and used 50% off coupons form the sunday paper!

it was our 3rd time doing it. it's our 37w ritual, lol.

oh - and i'm a big fan of olive oil over vaseline! we did our first with vaseline, and it was HORRIBLE! on me for days! the last two we did with olive oil. off in minutes!

[impromptukiss]

okay, for some reason it won't let me start a new tread, so i'll post here since it's the topic anyway, lol ...

the third post down in my blog has pictures of the belly cast we did last week for this baby.

http://thesuchniakfive.blogspot.com/

i was dreading doing it because last time i almost passed out, but this time went much better! i love having all three to compare. i'm HUGE this time, lol.

[SeaDoula]

I did mine when I was 36w visiting my mother, and she did the casting with me.

I used vasaline and just showered it off and washed with dawn, because it removes the grease really well.

[Livie'smomma]

Angie-here's a link to some instructions.
http://pregnancyandbaby.com/pregnanc...y-cast-467.htm
The only thing I would add would be to use warm water, not just room temp.
It's much more pleasant. Oh, and again, I would vote for using oil to lube up your bod instead of the vaseline. It feels much nicer and is much easier to get off. Also, your skin will feel great after you've showered.

Way to go impromptukiss on your bargain hunting. $10 is awesome!

Have fun.

I wish I knew where to post pictures on the web to show you my first cast.
Any suggestions?

[AngelaB]

I did mine by myself and it was a bit tricky but turned out nicely! I did it in front of the bathroom mirror and used canola oil as a lubricant. I used the plaster strips from Hobby Lobby. I used 5 rolls but used about a quarter or more to reinforce the inside after the cast came off. I cant wait to sand it and paint. I just havent gotten to it yet, go figure!!

I just followed the directions on the package. Basically cover the floor with plastic, fill a large bowl with warm water, use liberal amounts of oil or vaseline to coat the area that will be casted(so the plaster wont pull delicate hairs) and the dip the plaster strips in the warm water(make sure your strips are all cut to a workable size befor hand, very important!and cut more than you think you will need) and run your fingers the length of the strip so it pulls of excess water and then apply the strip. I go horizontally and start from below my belly and move up. You want to overlap the strips and do several layers. Its dries pretty quickly and after about 20 minutes or so the cast will come off with breathing and small wiggling movements. You place it belly down to dry but make sure its a very well padded area so as not to distort the shape. I put it in a laundry basket with a bunch of towels for padding. I then reinforced the inside with vertical and horizontal strips and also reinforce the sides and make it even after it had dried for a day or so.

There is a product called Gesso in the painting section of craft stores that you can apply to the cast to prepare it to accept paint. It is used to prepare canvas for paint. YOu apply that after you have sanded the cast a bit. If you dont like or want nipples showing when you display your cast you can get wide ribbon or some kind of fabric to make a sort of bra or bikini looking thing to put over them and you can also use said fabric to hang the cast with which looks nice.

Google belly casts for ideas and more detailed directions. There are som beautiful casts out there so lots of inspiration! Its messy but easy to clean up and totally worth it!!
Angela

[impromptukiss]

Originally Posted by Livie'smomma

I wish I knew where to post pictures on the web to show you my first cast.
Any suggestions?

upload them to photobucket.com! then it will give you a url to the picture you can link everyone to!

[J-Max]

I did mine 2 weeks ago with my AP mama's group. THis was the first time I did one and it was lots of fun!

[amandamac]

Belly cast...tonight

Hello,

I will be 39 weeks tomorrow, so I have waited to the last minute. I wasn't sure if it was something I wanted to do. My husband ordered the kit, because he is excited to do the cast with me, so I can't wait to see how it turns out. We are trying to figure out how we will decorate it eventually, or where we will keep it :-)

Wish us luck,


Amanda&BabyMac

[NaomiMcC]

I loved doing my bellycast!!! My doula came over to our house and we did one in my kitchen and it's by far the best thing I have to remember being preggo. My neice is going to paint a sunflower scene on the belly and we're hanging it up in our bedroom/nursery. So cool!

[Livie'smomma]

Here is the link to my belly cast from my DD born in 2004
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/j...iscpics118.jpg

And here is one that is beautifully done, who someone graciously is allowing the birth center I go to, to display. I think it is fantastic!
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/IMG_0325.jpg

Thanks impromptukiss for the info about photobucket.
It's good to know about.

[hadassah]

Livie'smomma

Those are just beautiful!!!

Are those beads on yours? Did you do it yourself?

[Livie'smomma]

Thank you.
Yes, those beads (which are actually puff paints) are on mine.
It is incredibly beautiful. I am not the creative talent behind that.
Luli Sanderford from Pfafftown, NC is the whimsical woman who decorated my belly cast. She has agreed to do the one for my DS to be, so I am looking forward to seeing what she will do with this next one.

[Stacymama]

Livie'smomma, those are awesome!
What does the second one say? I can't read the writting, it's kinda small.
Where do you have those hanging?
I did one at 38 weeks and don't know quite what to do with it now....lol.

[Livie'smomma]

The second one with the writing on it isn't mine. I really don't know what it says. I can look the next time I go to the birth center though (that's where that one is hanging).

Mine is on top of my dresser in my bedroom. It used to be in the corner of our living room in our other house.

I don't know where I'll put this current one when it is finished, but it's not a bad problem to have.

To others reading, please post pics of yours too. I'd love to see them!