Missy Pankake of Murfreesboro, Tenn., was near the end of her high-risk pregnancy when she and her friends wanted to do "something positive" – so they painted on her belly. "I had a very high-risk pregnancy," says Pankake. "I had placenta previa, vasa previa and gestational diabetes. Everyone was concerned about the birth, so we wanted to do something positive."

Each friend drew their own design on her belly. The designs were a mix of Indian and African symbols for birth, averting the evil eye, good luck and other signs. "I had six symbols in total, each one about 2 inches in diameter, scattered over my big belly," Pankake says. "The OB/GYN was a little surprised at my first exam afterwards when he saw my belly. He had never seen henna before."

Henna is considered non-toxic and safe during pregnancy. "Henna stains the skin an orangish-brown color and lasts one to two weeks," says Pankake, who delivered her baby son safely two years ago.

Belly painting during pregnancy is a trend, similar to piercings and tattoos, only it is not permanent, says Dr. John Gianopoulos, an OB/GYN and director of women's health services at Loyola University Health System in Maywood, Ill. "I think patients try belly painting because it is a novel way to glamorize their pregnancy," Dr. Gianopoulos says.

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