How to make a pregnancy belly cast including your hands

Some moms like to include the hands of a loved one in their pregnancy belly cast. It is very easy to do. Just put the hands right on the belly, apply the lubricant over the back of the hands as you are coating the rest of the mom's casting area, and then simply cast right over the hands. Make sure the fingers are spread far enough apart so that it is easily distinguishable that it is a hand being cast into the pregnancy belly cast.

How to get a really smooth pregnancy belly cast

A tip to make a really smooth cast is to dip your fingers in water after you apply a couple of overlapping layers of the plaster casting strips and rub your fingers over the layers to mix the plaster of paris together among the layers. Work fairly quickly as the plaster strips will begin to dry within a few minutes after you begin applying the plaster strips. After your pregnancy belly cast has completely dried, lightly sand it with the sanding screen included in our kit. If you still want an even smoother surface, apply 1-2 layers of Gesso (acrylic priming paint) and let dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.

A more advanced method of making a smoother cast is to apply a thin layer of joint compound or spackle which can be found at your local home improvement store. Apply it with your fingers and as it starts to dry, smooth it out more with your fingers. Allow it to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions and then lightly sand it using our sanding screen. You may need to apply more than 1 layer of joint compound or spackle, allowing each layer to dry and lightly sanding in between each coat.

How to support your breasts during the casting

Since pregnancy belly casting is typically done with the mom unclothed from below the belly up, a common question that gets asked is "just how can my breasts have some support while I'm doing the casting?" There are a few different ways to give your breasts some support during the casting:

1. wear a strapless bra, but the fabric and seams will show through your cast, and then cover the bra with saran wrap to protect it, then apply the lubricant on top of the saran wrap;

2. put a layer of Glad's Press N' Seal over mom's breasts; or

3. buy those disposable "pasty" bras that are available at your local department store.

How to include your thighs in the casting

To have your pregnancy belly cast look right, you will need to do your casting while standing. Start the casting from the top and work your way down. When you get to the bottom of your belly, place a piece of saran wrap over your pubic area to keep the wet casting material from sticking to it. Slather the saran wrap with lubricant prior to placing it over your pubic area. You will need to hold the saran wrap in place while your helper places the first wet strip over the pubic area. Thereafter, the wet casting strips will hold the saran wrap in place.

Alternatively, you can wear a pair of panties. Try to wear a more delicate pair since the seams won't show as much. Then tuck the saran wrap into the seams to hold it in place.

Smoothing the edges of your pregnancy belly cast

Don't worry about having the edges of your pregnancy belly cast be even as you are making the cast. After your pregnancy belly cast has completely dried, you can take a pair of sharp scissors and trim the edges to make them even if you like.

Reinforcing thin areas of your pregnancy belly cast

If you have casting material left over, you can reinforce the cast where needed. Simply wet additional casting strips and place them on the inside of your belly cast where reinforcements are needed.

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