During pregnancy, so many celebrations occur in the baby on the way — showers, parties, etc. But these days, the trend is shifting a bit to celebrate a woman’s pregnancy with special ways to commemorate this important, exciting chapter in their lives – including photography, body paint, and belly casts to remember their pregnancy months.

Caitlin Domanico, of Caitlin Domanico Photography, LLC, focuses primarily on pregnancy and newborn photography, seeing many soon to be moms and dads (and sometimes even dogs!) for family photographs before the baby is born. She says some of the trends have included natural photographs, silhouettes of the pregnant mom-to-be, dads kissing the belly, all lifestyle shots to show the baby what life was like. After specializing in this trend for the past three years, Caitlin credits the rise in pregnancy photography to the way the world today celebrates pregnancy, women being comfortable with their bodies, and a lifelong keepsake for women to show their baby one day.

Another trend popping up is body art – Sandy O’Brien of Creative Juice Group specializes in body art, and recently has seen a rise in pregnant belly art so women could remember this magical time in their lives. Sandy tells us that many women request fishbowls, bubbles, and messages to be painted on their bellies, but the possibilities are endless. She says they want to take full of advantage of being pregnant and being able to celebrate it, as it is such a momentous occasion.

For Shannon Choe of Premier Baby Concierge and Premier Sitter Services, she chose to memorialize her pregnancy with a belly cast. With plaster-like strips, Shannon wrapped her belly at its biggest to get the full shape, and then chose to hang the finished cast on the baby’s nursery wall. Kits are available to make belly casts, which Shannon suggests using as they are a bit easier, and once they are dry, some choose to paint them or use them as a photography prop to swaddle the baby at once they are born. Shannon was featured on the 10! A show with her belly cast, a very special keepsake.

Have you tried any of these trends while pregnant? Leave a comment with how you chose to remember your pregnancy!