Thomson uses a special nontoxic plaster for the casts and people can go in and look at her portfolio to get an idea of what they like. She lets them incorporate their own ideas or they can pick something they like from her portfolio. "They can bring in their families and they can put their hands on the belly to be part of the mask," says Thomson. "The whole process only takes an hour." Thomson also goes to baby showers where all the guests can watch the process.

"The women can get all of their guests to sign the belly and take part in the process," she says. According to Karin Maffon who is seven months pregnant with her first child, the experience was a pleasent one and not uncomfortable at all. "I first saw this done on television on the Baby Story and ordered a kit to do it myself," said Maffon. "When I got the kit I was like 'oh my', and then I saw Dana on Breakfast Television and was so glad that there was someone in Toronto who could do this for me."

Maffon, who has been a bodybuilder for most of her life, says she is used to being lean and toned. "This is a whole different body image for me," she says. "I am 42 years old and this is the first and probably the last time I will be pregnant at my age."

Thomson and Maffon decided to do a unique belly mask. They included Maffon's shoulders and arms with her hands on her stomach. "I wanted to do something different and she was open to that," says Maffon. "She usually casts her client's breasts and bellies."

The belly mask can be displayed anywhere indoors and partners can give it as a special gift. "Partners are tickled pink because it includes them," says Thomson. "It makes a nice alternative present." Maffon plans on displaying her mask in her living room. "I have a great place to put it," she says. "When I look at it I will always be able to remember that time. It is a piece of art."

After the baby is born Thomson can also do a mask for the baby's bottom. For this she uses a non-toxic dental moulding. She says this is a faster setting product because babies don't sit still for very long. "The baby bottom casts are fun to pull out on your child's 16th birthday," she jokes.