Using Belly Paint and Tattoos
Many women feel the urge to celebrate their pregnant bellies with exotic decorations. The most common ways to do this are with belly paint and belly tattoos. Both offer customized designs that allow the mother to celebrate her changing body and the life she is nurturing within it.
Belly paints must of course be safe paints that wash off easily so that the skin doesn’t have to be scrubbed. Paints sold for pregnant belly painting are skin-safe and gentle, which allows for many different designs to be painted and washed off during the gestation period. Many women choose stylized designs, such as a picture of a fetus similar to its current stage of development, or a world map, or any number of round objects. Other mothers prefer more abstract designs, such as scrollwork, complex lines and curves, or just a selection of colors. The only hard and fast rule in belly paint design is that the end result should make the mother happy.
Some mothers choose to paint their belly when it will be exposed, such as when swimming or sunbathing. Some will even wear a short top to show off their magnificent artwork. Others choose to keep their masterpieces for themselves and their partner and children to see. A brightly-painted belly is especially exciting for children, who can participate in the artwork, or enjoy it after it’s finished. Either way, young children will see it as something beautiful and spectacular.
Pregnant mothers often choose to paint their own bellies, but in the third trimester, this can be awkward to accomplish. Many rely on their partners to complete their artwork for them. This gives the partner a hands-on way to participate in the pregnancy. This time alone together painting is a way to connect as a couple and have private time together. When the other children are involved, it becomes a relaxing family time.
Another way to decorate the pregnant belly is with tattoos. While most tattoo artists won’t work on a pregnant woman, there are plenty of beautiful temporary tattoo designs that fit beautifully on a pregnant stomach. And, because the tattoos are temporary, there’s no need to worry about the design stretching as the stomach grows.
Temporary tattoos can be bought in the same variety of styles as their more permanent counterparts. While most women choose designs such as flowers, babies, and hearts, etc., there are also tattoos available in biker-style designs, to give the stomach a more edgy look. There are temporary tattoos that are made specifically for pregnant women, featuring no-toxic inks that will last for several days.
Along with the peel-off tattoos are the henna variety. Henna tattoos are a traditional skin decoration for Indian brides and for mothers in late-term pregnancy. In the last 10 years they have become popular all over the world for temporary tattoos that are safe and last for at least a week. These can be painted on in any design like belly paints, but last longer than peel-off tattoos. Henna is a generally safe substance, though mothers suffering from anemia and babies with certain deficiencies should not be exposed to it. A doctor should generally be asked whether henna is appropriate during any specific pregnancy.
Between belly paints and tattoos, pregnant women have a variety of safe and beautiful ways to show their belly pride to the world. The resources available allow customization and creativity to create a masterpiece of belly art. After you have painted or tattooed your growing belly, don't forget to take a picture. Not only is it a great way to remember this special time, but many pregnancy magazines fun contests, so if you enter, you may win some fabulous prizes!
