Want a 3D pregnancy sculpture? Why Hong Kong-based mother helps women get theirs

Mother-of-two Samantha Waterhouse thrived during her pregnancies – they were times when she was most comfortable in her body. “I didn’t have any aches or pains like some women do, so I felt lucky that it was a time in my life that I really enjoyed,” says the Hong Kong-based South African, who has two girls: Ella, aged four, and Izzy, two. “And I loved the look and feel of my round tummy.” She loved her baby bump so much that she considered getting a bespoke pregnancy sculpture. Such keepsakes capture a woman’s unique curves and creases during pregnancy and turn them into pieces of art using 3D scanning technology. Waterhouse says that, at the time, the service was only available in the UK and Australia, and not in her adopted city. “I wasn’t going to fly to the UK to get it done, but I held on to the concept, which I think is really beautiful, really special.” Last month, she took the idea a step further by launching The Bump Collective, a studio that offers these one-of-a-kind sculptures in Hong Kong. The process involves a visit to a client’s home, “where it’s comfortable and calm”, and Waterhouse sweeps the fully naked subject with a handheld scanner in a process that takes about one to three minutes, depending on the pose. “These sculptures celebrate a woman’s body during an important time – it’s empowering,” she says. As for what pose to strike, that is up to the individual. “She can hold her bump in whatever way she likes.” The sculpture is available as a standard 16cm (6.3-inch) keepsake, or crafted to height. It comes in one of three materials – lacquer, marble or bronze – and a marble or bronze plinth can be added. As for delivery, Waterhouse says the lacquer versions take about three weeks from the time of the scan, while the marble and bronze ones take around eight weeks. “The beauty of these sculptures is that they can be displayed in the home, and you can feel connected to them long after the birth.” Creating keepsakes is a deeply personal decision, but there are good reasons mothers feel a pull towards them: the ritual allows women to hold on to a significant and emotional chapter in life that goes by very fast. These mementoes come in many shapes and forms. Some keep ultrasound images, a lock of baby hair or a pair of tiny socks. Others might have their breast milk turned into jewellery. Keepsakes are also a way for a mother-to-be to bond with their baby in the womb, which many women start when they become aware of their pregnancy, says Michelle Ng, a director at The Family Zone, a Hong Kong-based parenting support service that focuses on antenatal/postnatal care. There are ways to strengthen that bond, some as simple as a touch of the belly. Singing and talking also help: research shows that babies can recognise familiar voices after birth, particularly those of their parents, says Ng. “Exposure to the parents’ voices in utero can be soothing and help the baby feel more connected to both parents,” she explains, adding that involving partners in the experience is also important. “By the second trimester, when the mother can feel kicking, the connection often deepens.” It is important to create a nurturing environment for the baby as it grows, Ng says. “Mothers can enhance their baby’s experience by practising relaxation techniques and maintaining a positive mindset, which is reciprocally beneficial for the mother.” In the first trimester, the fetus develops a sense of touch, and after the fourth month, it can discern the difference between sweet, sour and bitter tastes, Ng adds. By around 20 weeks, the baby may respond to external sounds and touch. “They also start to move in response to stimulation, and research has shown that hearing is intact by the third trimester and the baby can even hear speech patterns,” she says. Sight is the last sense to develop fully. Regular check-ups and ultrasounds, adds Ng, can strengthen the emotional bond by providing visual and auditory experiences of the baby’s presence. Ng’s tips on bonding with your baby in the womb Talking and singing: Mums-to-be are encouraged to speak or sing to their baby, as this can enhance bonding. Mindfulness practices: Techniques such as visualisation or meditation help mothers connect emotionally. Physical connection: Softly touching the belly can reinforce the bond; it is often comforting for both mother and baby. Antenatal education: Engaging in antenatal classes can enhance a woman’s understanding and confidence about pregnancy and childbirth, fostering a sense of connection. Listening to music: Studies have shown that playing music can engage the fetus, especially in the later trimesters. Like what you read? Follow SCMP Lifestyle on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also sign up for our eNewsletter here.

Want a 3D pregnancy sculpture? Why Hong Kong-based mother helps women get theirs

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Samantha Waterhouse was not able to capture her own unique curves during pregnancy, so now she helps other mothers-to-be preserve theirs

Samantha Waterhouse was not able to capture her own unique curves during pregnancy, so now she helps other mothers-to-be preserve theirs