4 ideas to commemorate your pregnancy

There are certainly moments when your pregnancy feels endlessly long and you long for the moment when you can finally hold your little explorer in your arms. At the latest, when your child is born, you'll probably think about how quickly the time with your bump actually went by. You might find yourself sometimes missing the pregnancy and the special physical connection with your baby. In such moments, it's nice to have keepsakes from this unique time. We have gathered four options to help you preserve the memory of your baby bump for a long time.

1. Baby bump photos

Photos are the classic way to document the growing belly. How it ultimately looks is entirely up to you: as a family, as a couple, or alone, at home or in nature – with maternity photos, you can let your creativity run free and design them exactly to your liking. You can also decide whether you prefer a professional photoshoot or would rather be photographed by your partner, a friend, or another hobby photographer. Both options have their advantages: a professional photographer has experience and knows how to best showcase you. On the other hand, with a photographer from your personal circle, the feeling of familiarity is probably greater, and you will feel comfortable in front of the camera from the very beginning.

No matter what you choose, these tips will make the photo session a success:

• The ideal time for the ball photos is four to six weeks before the estimated due date, when your belly is nicely round, but you still feel relatively fit and mobile.

• Dress in a way that makes you feel comfortable – because it will also be visible in the photos. Keep in mind that your belly should be the focus, so your clothing can comfortably emphasize it. Simple colors are the first choice, while wild patterns and colors tend to be distracting.

• Even a neutral background that contrasts with your clothing helps to emphasize your stomach.

• Use accessories that you can playfully incorporate into the shoot. These can be, for example, baby shoes, an ultrasound image, balloons, or flowers.

• If you don't have a clear idea yet, you'll find plenty of ideas for poses, outfits, and surroundings on the internet. So feel free to browse around before your own photo session and let yourself be inspired.

• You're not used to being in front of the camera and initially feel a bit awkward? Then turn on your favorite song: music makes it easier for you to move and assume different positions.

• If a big photoshoot isn't your thing and posing feels uncomfortable, you can simply document the progress of your growing belly: Just have yourself photographed each week or every two weeks in front of the same background, or take a photo of your belly from your own perspective from above. If you'd like, you can also add a sign, a board, or another marker that provides information, about which week of pregnancy you are currently in . This way, you can still watch your baby bump grow even after the fact.

2. Pregnancy Diary

During pregnancy, so many physical and emotional changes occur that it can be difficult to remember all the little details afterwards. The infamous pregnancy brain adds to this. ;) A journal offers a wonderful way to still connect with your pregnancy later on and to be able to reflect on it. In a journal, you can not only jot down your feelings and thoughts, but it also gives you the opportunity to record milestones such as the first kick, the size of the growing belly, and the first . This way, you can later tell your little explorer exactly how you felt when you were waiting for them. If big words are not your thing, there are also journals with ready-made profiles to buy, where you just need to fill in the corresponding gaps.

3. Plaster cast of the baby bump

With a plaster cast, you create a lasting memory of your baby bump. Was your little explorer actually inside there? You'll probably find it incredible when you see the three-dimensional keepsake! The perfect time for a plaster cast is four to six weeks before your due date, when your belly is nicely rounded but standing or sitting still isn't too uncomfortable for you. It's best to turn the casting into a joint craft afternoon and have your partner help you. Surely, this will also be an unforgettable experience for them and a good opportunity to connect with your little explorer. Ready-made sets are available for purchase, containing all the necessary tools for the cast, but of course, you can also gather the materials yourself.

You need:

• Newspaper

• Scissors

• warm water

• Towels

• Fat cream

• Plaster bandages

• Disposable gloves

• Sandpaper

• possibly color and decoration material

Here's how it works:

1. Cover the workspace with newspaper to protect against splashes.

2. Unroll the plaster bandages, cut them into strips, and keep them within reach.

3. Rub your stomach and breasts generously with fatty cream so that the imprint can be easily removed later.

4. Get into a comfortable position where you can hold for a while, preferably standing or sitting semi-upright.

5. Now your partner can dip the plaster strips one after the other into a bowl of lukewarm water, carefully squeeze them out, and place them on your stomach, smoothing them out.

6. Once your upper body is covered with two to three layers of plaster, you only need to wait a few minutes until the plaster is dry.

7. Carefully remove the impression with the help of your partner and let it harden overnight in a dry place.

8. Smooth the surface the next day with sandpaper.

9. If you like, you can now decorate the belly print with color, glitter stones, or other decorative materials according to your preferences.

4. Paint your stomach

Your big belly is the perfect canvas – and this opportunity should be seized! :) Have it painted by your partner or sibling, or get creative yourself. You and your family can either let your imagination run wild or be inspired by a template. Popular motifs include ornate patterns or mandalas. Alternatively, you can create a minimalist belly print on paper. To do this, paint your belly with color and press it like a stamp against a canvas or paper that you have previously taped to the wall. After cleaning your belly with a washcloth and warm water, you can add more prints in different colors. No matter which motif you choose, make sure to use non-toxic, water-soluble paints for painting.

A pregnancy is unforgettable in any case. We hope that we have still been able to provide you with some additional ideas on how to create lasting memories of your time with your baby bump.