Belly casting faqs
I've paid the booking deposit
for a belly casting session, but baby arrived early. Have I lost my money?
Of course not! You can use the deposit to put towards any other kind of casting offered such as a baby foot, hand or bottom casting when your baby is born.
How is a belly cast done?
Pregnant belly casts are usually formed by covering your pregnant form (belly, breasts, hands, shoulders, thighs - depending on what you want) with strips of wet plaster soaked cloth, built up into layers to strengthen the finished sculpture.
How long does it take?
I like to allow an hour to an hour and a half for most casts, including time to prep the room and clear up afterwards. The actual time you will be in the cast depends on what pose you have decided on. For a belly on its own, it might take as little as 20-30 minutes of sitting. For a full torso, you are looking at between 45 minutes and an hour and a half.
Will it hurt the baby?
No, the plaster bandage used to cover you is very similar to that used in hospitals to cast a broken bone. The baby is free to move around during the process and there is no 'constriction' of the womb. In fact, as the bandage dries, it will naturally 'lift away' from the body rather than press inwards.
Will it hurt me?
No. Before applying the plaster bandage, I get you to cover all exposed areas with a generous layer of Vaseline or moisturizer - the thicker the better! This prevents the plaster bandage from sticking to your tiny body hairs when we remove it. You can actually feel the first layer of bandage coming away from you easily and becoming hard within minutes of it being applied. If you have a particularly hairy tummy (as we sometimes get in pregnancy) it is recommended that you shave that area to prevent the hairs getting caught in the plaster. The same can be said for other very hairy areas. However, if you don't wish to shave we can always lay a piece of plastic wrap over the area to protect you from a 'free waxing'.
What if I have an allergic reaction?
Obviously if you have a known allergy to any type of plaster or bandage/gauze cloth then it would be advisable not to have the belly cast done. Having said that, in all the thousands of belly casts done around the world I have never once come across a case of allergic reaction to this very safe medium - that's one of the reasons hospitals can feel confident to cast legs. I do not recommend casting over any areas of inflamed skin or open wounds however, as it is likely to be uncomfortable.
What does it feel like?
The process of application is often compared to a gentle massage or mud wrap when using the plaster bandage technique. It can be quite relaxing, although if you are sitting for one of the longer poses you might like to get your partner or friend to massage your shoulders for the last few minutes as everyone knows sitting in one pose can get a little achy after a while, especially while pregnant.
Can I bring my partner/husband/friend/mom?
Yes. In fact for casts done in the last month of pregnancy or to mothers who have a history of fainting or other problems I actually insist upon it. Not only will it relax you more and make it more fun and special to have someone there to tend to your needs (such as pass you drinks, rub your neck and shoulders etc.), but on rare occasions as with any other situation pregnant ladies have been known to feel faint and at those times it's reassuring to have someone with you.
Can I decorate and hang it myself?
Of course. If you are artistic or if my custom-decorating prices are a little above your budget then I can give you loads of tips on simple, yet effective ways to decorate your finished belly cast. I even sell DIY belly painting kits on our sister site, Green With Joy. Examples of my work can be seen in the casting gallery
Can I decide to have it decorated by you at a later date?
Of course. I can strengthen, hang, paint, or decorate your belly cast at any point in the future so long as you have taken care of it. Even if it has been slightly damaged, I can usually repair them without too much trouble. This may be the perfect solution if money is tight (as it often is when a baby is due and you have so many things to get ready for them)
How soon will my belly cast be available for collection?
This can depend on the time of year and what pose/decoration you choose. If you opt for a straightforward cast and choose to hang and decorate it yourself then you can take it with you on the day. If you wish merely to have it hung/sealed, it can be ready within a week. If you wish for decoration/smoothing this can take several weeks depending on what you want. I prefer not send finished belly casts by mail as it might be to get damaged in transit, it is an irreplaceable item and I'm sure neither of us would want to take the risk. I will call or email you to arrange collection when your cast is ready.
Of course not! You can use the deposit to put towards any other kind of casting offered such as a baby foot, hand or bottom casting when your baby is born.
How is a belly cast done?
Pregnant belly casts are usually formed by covering your pregnant form (belly, breasts, hands, shoulders, thighs - depending on what you want) with strips of wet plaster soaked cloth, built up into layers to strengthen the finished sculpture.
How long does it take?
I like to allow an hour to an hour and a half for most casts, including time to prep the room and clear up afterwards. The actual time you will be in the cast depends on what pose you have decided on. For a belly on its own, it might take as little as 20-30 minutes of sitting. For a full torso, you are looking at between 45 minutes and an hour and a half.
Will it hurt the baby?
No, the plaster bandage used to cover you is very similar to that used in hospitals to cast a broken bone. The baby is free to move around during the process and there is no 'constriction' of the womb. In fact, as the bandage dries, it will naturally 'lift away' from the body rather than press inwards.
Will it hurt me?
No. Before applying the plaster bandage, I get you to cover all exposed areas with a generous layer of Vaseline or moisturizer - the thicker the better! This prevents the plaster bandage from sticking to your tiny body hairs when we remove it. You can actually feel the first layer of bandage coming away from you easily and becoming hard within minutes of it being applied. If you have a particularly hairy tummy (as we sometimes get in pregnancy) it is recommended that you shave that area to prevent the hairs getting caught in the plaster. The same can be said for other very hairy areas. However, if you don't wish to shave we can always lay a piece of plastic wrap over the area to protect you from a 'free waxing'.
What if I have an allergic reaction?
Obviously if you have a known allergy to any type of plaster or bandage/gauze cloth then it would be advisable not to have the belly cast done. Having said that, in all the thousands of belly casts done around the world I have never once come across a case of allergic reaction to this very safe medium - that's one of the reasons hospitals can feel confident to cast legs. I do not recommend casting over any areas of inflamed skin or open wounds however, as it is likely to be uncomfortable.
What does it feel like?
The process of application is often compared to a gentle massage or mud wrap when using the plaster bandage technique. It can be quite relaxing, although if you are sitting for one of the longer poses you might like to get your partner or friend to massage your shoulders for the last few minutes as everyone knows sitting in one pose can get a little achy after a while, especially while pregnant.
Can I bring my partner/husband/friend/mom?
Yes. In fact for casts done in the last month of pregnancy or to mothers who have a history of fainting or other problems I actually insist upon it. Not only will it relax you more and make it more fun and special to have someone there to tend to your needs (such as pass you drinks, rub your neck and shoulders etc.), but on rare occasions as with any other situation pregnant ladies have been known to feel faint and at those times it's reassuring to have someone with you.
Can I decorate and hang it myself?
Of course. If you are artistic or if my custom-decorating prices are a little above your budget then I can give you loads of tips on simple, yet effective ways to decorate your finished belly cast. I even sell DIY belly painting kits on our sister site, Green With Joy. Examples of my work can be seen in the casting gallery
Can I decide to have it decorated by you at a later date?
Of course. I can strengthen, hang, paint, or decorate your belly cast at any point in the future so long as you have taken care of it. Even if it has been slightly damaged, I can usually repair them without too much trouble. This may be the perfect solution if money is tight (as it often is when a baby is due and you have so many things to get ready for them)
How soon will my belly cast be available for collection?
This can depend on the time of year and what pose/decoration you choose. If you opt for a straightforward cast and choose to hang and decorate it yourself then you can take it with you on the day. If you wish merely to have it hung/sealed, it can be ready within a week. If you wish for decoration/smoothing this can take several weeks depending on what you want. I prefer not send finished belly casts by mail as it might be to get damaged in transit, it is an irreplaceable item and I'm sure neither of us would want to take the risk. I will call or email you to arrange collection when your cast is ready.