10 Ridiculous Ways To Commemorate Your Pregnancy
Though I’m not exactly a super sunny, glowy creator-of-life, I definitely place a certain value on being pregnant, knowing that this time is short-lived- just a blip on the old radar. One day, there’s a good chance I’ll struggle to remember what it felt like to get kicked in the ribs all night or fart on command. That’s why I’m all for commemorating your pregnancy in any way that is appealing to you, no matter how absurd. I mean, waddling around like a duck, knocking things over with your belly, taking eight trips to the bathroom in an hour- it’s all pretty ridiculous if you ask me. Why not throw in some of the fun stuff? Here are ten borderline ridiculous ways to commemorate your pregnancy whether it’s your first or your fifteenth (God help you).
1. Belly-casting
A belly cast is a plaster mold made from an expecting mother’s beautiful pregnant belly. I thought you actually had to go somewhere to get this made but a quick google search gave me about a dozen options for at-home belly-casting kits from the likes of Amazon and Bed, Bath and Beyond. You can likely also find services in your area for someone (typically an artist or doula) who will come to your home and cast your belly for you. You can decorate the cast in any way you like and it makes a totally original and interesting conversation piece (to say the least) for your dining room wall.
2. Belly-painting
While it may be challenging to paint your own belly (or at least certain parts of it) an artist or friend would probably love to make you their personal canvas. If you’ve already picked your baby’s name you can incorporate it into the design, or go with something a little tribal or goddessy. Whatever floats your bump. No matter what the design, the pictures will certainly be totally cool and frame-worthy.
3. Creating a photo book
Taking daily or weekly snapshots of your bump is a cool way to document your changing shape. Some of us have a hard time seeing any changes from months one through five and end up totally slacking off, which is why I am always jealous when people have the dedication (or memory) to do this throughout their pregnancy. When complete you can put all the pictures together in a Shutterfly or Snapfish book, the final image- your bundle of joy. Or fleshy sack where your bump used to be. You pick.
4. Making a YouTube video
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Take the daily snapshots one step further and instead make them into a video like this one that just went viral. No you don’t have to write an original melody or cover a catchy tune to go with it but hey, it might just end up paying for the kid’s college tuition if you do!
5. Having a prenatal photoshoot
Though I was a little uncomfortable at first, at my photog friend’s insistence, this is one I did comply with during my first pregnancy. Not only are the photos the only decent ones I have of myself while pregnant, they also are lovely and artistic and were taken at the perfect point in my pregnancy to show my growing bond with my baby-to-be. The photo-shoot did however take an odd turn when my husband got involved and a fire was lit in the background. I think we were all aware that we had taken it one step too far. As a result we have one very ”pregnancy photo-shoot” gone wrong image that sits on a shelf at my in-laws house and cracks me up every time I see it.
6. Making a belly-growth chart
This one could also be turned into a totally cool art piece! Otherwise, it’s just”¦ uhh, a big piece of drawing paper with some scribbles on it. Stand up against a wall and trace your belly outline with a pencil each week to document your growing curve. Although, you may want to go bi-weekly here. Bloat and gas can really account for a while lot and might just eff with the whole operation.
7. Keeping a pregnancy journal
For a writer, this is kind of a must. Whether you write on a blog, for a website or just in a journal on your nightstand, writing can be a therapeutic and calming way to express your innermost feelings at a time of such immense change. You certainly don’t have to write each and every day, but when feelings arise jot them down somewhere. If you aren’t a writer, it may feel self-indulgent at first (you’ll get used to it). But no doubt it will be nice to look back and remember what you were going through while everything around you seemed to be shifting.
8. Having a Mother Blessing
In our culture, we prefer the more commercialized version of the mother blessing, known as the baby shower. But with a growing realization that the mama-to-be is actually important (duh!) mother blessings are becoming more common in Western societies. Similar to a baby shower, this tradition is a gathering that celebrates a woman’s transition into motherhood. More emphasis is placed on the mother, rather than the baby. It is a unique way for women to share stories and dispel any fears the mama-to-be may have. In essence, it’s a way to nurture her and build her up her confidence at a time when she may be experiencing a little extra anxiety. Rather than something off of a registry, a stone or perhaps a necklace to wear during labor are more common gifts. Doting on mama? Bring it on. Pretty soon she’ll just be drooled on instead, all the live long day.
9. Henna that belly up
So real tattoos probably aren’t recommended for pregnant bellies, right? But henna is a fun, temporary option to adorn your bump with. The bigger you are, the better. So wait till you’re ready to pop and tat that belly up. It should last for about 10 days. In some cultures, applying henna towards the end of pregnancy is believed to protect baby and mama during labor and delivery.
10. 3D Model of your fetus
Yes, I saved the best for last because apparently you can hold your baby before it’s even been born now. If a 4D ultrasound picture isn’t enough and you’ve just got to feel the weight of your tiny newborn in your arms, the california-based company 3D babies will use an image of your fetus to create a doll that resembles him or her. Yikes. I mean! To each their own.
(Image: ProKasia/shutterstock)
