How to Do a Belly Cast

While the cast is setting

Belly casts are a great way to celebrate the miracle of childbirth and immortalize your beautiful baby bump. When done correctly, they make a fantastic and sentimental art piece. Generally, women do this in the last trimester of pregnancy, but others choose to do a series of casts to show the growth of the bump. Those whose bellies are being cast need to decide which area to do. Some women choose to do their tummies only, and others include the breasts as well. It depends on their comfort level with the person helping them do it and with having the breasts included in part of their art. Although many premade kits are available for purchase, you do not need to buy one when you can easily create your own belly cast from scratch.

Things You'll Need

• Someone to assist you Latex (preferred) or rubber gloves Plastic dropcloth (or a few cut-up black trash bags) Petroleum jelly Plaster strips Newspaper Fine sandpaper Paint Paintbrush Acrylic finish

Instructions

1. Ask a good friend or the baby's father to help you. You cannot complete this project alone, but you will be completely topless and possibly bottomless as you work, so your assistant should be someone you trust. If you want photos to document the casting, you may even want another person to help out.

2. Eat and drink a meal, and go to the bathroom, before you start the casting. Do everything possible to ensure you are comfortable and ready to hold still for a full half-hour.

3. Lay down the plastic dropcloth or some newspaper on the ground. Have enough room to sit in a chair and stretch out your legs without going off the dropcloth. Place the chair in this area, and cover it in plastic.
   Also, prepare a large area that will remain undisturbed during the drying process. This area can be much smaller and could even be up against a wall. Ball up some newspaper to help support the cast when you are done.

4. Lube up your stomach for the plaster application by spreading a thick layer of petroleum jelly across the area that will be covered. Cover a few inches surrounding this area to create a safety margin.

5. Sit in the chair, positioning yourself close to the front of it, and lean back. Remain comfortable, but allow the casting area to have the maximum space.

6. Have your partner put on the gloves (latex gloves work best, but rubber gloves are fine), then wet the plaster strips, and apply them across the casting area. He will need to cover the whole area you intend to cast before adding a few more layers.

7. Take some photos once the plaster is laid. This step is a good time to take pictures, because you can document the project without exposing your breasts in the process.

8. Allow the plaster to set by relaxing for 20 to 30 minutes. When it is ready to be removed, it will be warm and heavy and will start to separate from the body on its own.
   Gently lift the cast from the stomach, and place crumpled newspaper in the cavities of the cast to provide support while it dries.

9. Allow the cast to dry completely. It should take between 24 and 48 hours, and it is best to allow the full 48 hours to avoid taking any chances.
   Once the cast is completely dry, fine-sand the surface and the edges to allow for a nice smooth finish.

10. Decorate the cast. This part is optional, but it makes for a much better piece of artwork for hanging.
    Although some women pay a professional artist to paint their casts, you will remember it much better if you do it yourself. Create a simple design if you are not an experienced painter, something that suits you and your pregnancy.

11. Cover the dry cast with a clear acrylic finish to protect it.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch out for hairs when you remove the cast. The petroleum jelly should stop the plaster from catching them, but it still may catch a few, so be gentle.

References

• Make Your Own Belly Cast!
• What Is Belly Casting?