How to Make a Belly Cast

It’s amazing how much a pregnant belly can expand and I wanted to capture the memory of my bump with more than pictures. I opted to make a belly cast in the last month of pregnancy when I was feeling as round as I could possibly get.

I found some instructions in the book Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation but I could not get any of the pre-plastered bandages that were recommended. So I found some Plaster-of-Paris* and we did a DIY job instead. Here’s how to do it:

Equipment:

Plaster of Paris

Water

Bandages

Vaseline and a willing helper(s)

1. Find a very comfortable place to sit. This is important as you will need to be sitting down for up to 30 mins without moving which can be quite challenging for a big expectant Mama! Somewhere with a breeze will help the drying process but ensure that you will not get cold.
2. Clear the area! It’s amazing how far wet Plaster-of-Paris can spread, so do yourself a favour and clear everything out of the way and spread out some old newspapers or cloth if possible.
3. Cut the bandages into small pieces (approx 10cm long)
4. Rub Vaseline all over the belly
5. Mix the Plaster-of-Paris into a smooth paste with the water. I don’t have an exact formula for the amounts but pour the water in slowly whilst continuously mixing until you get a good consistency.
6. Dip the pieces of bandage into the Plaster-of-Paris and quickly apply to the belly. The first pieces will want to slip off due to the petroleum jelly so Mama should hold on to them.
7. Working quickly, keep adding layers of the bandages across the entire belly but avoid the sides of your bump as when the plaster tightens this can cause restriction.
8. Optionally you can cover the breasts too. This makes the cast look better and gives a sense of proportion. (We did the breasts in a separate sitting adding to the original belly cast. This has the advantage of less sitting time and is a little easier but if you wait too long between sessions your bump may change shape)
9. Get your helper to wipe wet Plaster-of-Paris off any unnecessary areas before it dries out.
10. Sit comfortably and wait for your cast to set. Peel off when done and decorate how you choose. You can add more Plaster-of-Paris to the finished dry cast to smooth it out and you may choose to paint or varnish the cast after this is done.

When putting the cast to dry after doing the breast area it may tend to sag. I helped keep the breast shape by resting each one over a half a dry coconut!

Please let me know if you choose to do a belly cast and any improvements on these instructions. I’d love to read of your casting stories and see any pictures you may want to share!

* If you are in Dominica you can buy Plaster-of-Paris from Jollys Pharmacy on King George V Street, Roseau. They do not stock it on the shelves so you have to ask for it and get an assistant to get it. I used about 5lbs in total.