How to Plaster Pregnant Women's Bellies

Plastering a pregnant woman's belly creates a family keepsake.

Many women like to celebrate their pregnant bodies by creating a "belly cast." With a belly cast, layers of wet plaster are applied to the torso of the pregnant woman's body, creating a mold of her stomach. When the plaster is dry, the belly cast comes away from the body, retaining its shape. Most women make the cast late in their pregnancies to capture their bellies at their largest. But belly casting works at any time during a woman's pregnancy.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic drop cloth
• Helper
• Petroleum jelly
• Pair of gloves
• 3-4 Rolls plaster casting material cut into 12- to 18-inch long strips
• Sanding screen
• Bucket
• A helper
• Paintbrush
• Bottle gesso finishing material
• Other craft supplies for decorating

Instructions

1. Cover the floor with old newspapers. Have a comfortable chair for the expectant mother to sit on during the process. Cover the chair with a plastic drop cloth for protection. Place all the necessary materials close at hand.

2. Prepare the woman's belly and any other areas the plaster will cover using a coating of petroleum jelly. Some women choose to include their breasts as part of the belly cast. Others like to have their arms and hands cradling their bellies. Spread the petroleum jelly by hand over the bare skin to create a nonstick surface.

3. The person doing the plastering must wear gloves for safety. Having a partner plaster the belly makes this project much easier. Wet and apply each strip separately. Cut appropriately sized squares to cover the bellybutton and nipples. Shape the squares to get the details. Do not place more than one plaster piece over these areas, because you want the bellybutton and nipples to show details. Cover the remaining areas of the cast with at least two layers of plaster-casting material.

4. The materials start drying after eight minutes, but need to remain in place on the body for 20 to 30 minutes. As the plaster dries, it begins to feel heavy and warm and starts to pull away from the body. Carefully remove the cast from the belly and place it belly up on a flat surface. Allow the cast to dry for at least 48 hours.

5. When the cast has dried completely, sand over any rough areas with the sanding screen. Sand with a light pressure, just enough to remove imperfections. In most cases an all-over sanding is not needed. Apply a thin coat of the gesso finishing material to seal the casting. After the gesso dries, the belly cast is ready for display or you may choose to paint and decorate it.

References

• Plasterlinks: Pregnancy Belly Casting

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish